Coenie de Villiers (Coenraad Grabe de Villiers), born 11 October 1956, is a… Read Full Bio ↴Coenie de Villiers (Coenraad Grabe de Villiers), born 11 October 1956, is a South African singer/songwriter, pianist, pop artist who sings in his mother tongue, Afrikaans. If any comparison was required, Coenie's music is best compared to the pop/rock of Herbert Groenemeyer (German language) or Billy Joel (USA English language).

Born in Bloemfontein, South Africa, Coenie was educated at University of the Free State in Bloemfontein majoring in media studies where he later on lectured in the Communications faculty. He has always viewed his musical career as his second vocation. He is also a classically trained pianist. Coenie is the anchor presenter in popular South African kykNET journal program "Kwela".

During the late 1980s, Coenie spent a few years in self-imposed exile in Cyprus. Coenie has also performed in New Zealand, Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, and the United Kingdom.

Coenie signed with Mountain Records in 1983, and recorded his debut album, Skoppensboer, working with producer, Patrick Lee-Thorp and engineer, Kevin Shirley, in the same year. He subsequently recorded 4 albums for the label many of which won industry awards. In addition he contributed to label compilations of his work. Since leaving Mountain Records he has recorded a number of one off projects for different labels.

Coenie lived on the island of Cyprus during the eighties and nineties. He wrote, recorded and produced the album Amper Alleen in Cyprus and in Athens, Greece. Amper Alleen was the second SA album to be released on CD. Coenie and his family returned to South Africa after the release of Nelson Mandela and the unbanning of the ANC. He released Hartland, an album which included a vocal performance by Lesley Rae Dowling.

Ken Jy Vir
Coenie De Villiers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Herken jy vir Diesman
Soos ek Diesman ken?
Hy’t die noodlot gevry en sy angel bekend

Hy’s ‘n man of distinction, hy’s ‘n man van die see
Maar saans langs die vure is sy woorde verlee

My gees verskeur en uitgeloop

En opgevreet my brokkies brood
En oor my siel die lot gewerp
En steeds die leuen se lem verskerp
Sê my hoe antwoord ‘n pa dan sy kinders se vrae?

My gees verskeur en uitgeloop
En opgevreet my brokkies brood
En oor my siel die lot gewerp
En steeds die leuen se lem verskerp
Sê my hoe antwoord ‘n pa dan sy kinders se vrae?

Maar ken jy vir Saartjie
Soos ek Saartjie ken?
Sy's ‘n ma soos min wat nog snags kan bemin

Die gesig en die dreine, die besem op die pleine
Maar saans langs die vure is haar woorde verlee

My gees verskeur en uitgeloop
En opgevreet my brokkies brood
En oor my siel die lot gewerp

En steeds die leuen se lem verskerp
Sê my hoe antwoord ‘n ma dan haar kinders se vrae?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Coenie De Villiers's song "Ken Jy Vir" depict the struggles and emotions of two individuals, Diesman and Saartjie, as they navigate through life's hardships. Diesman is described as a man of distinction, someone who has faced fate and acknowledged its sting. He is characterized as a man of the sea, but in the evenings by the fireside, his words become empty and devoid of meaning. The singer, whose spirit is torn and shattered, questions how a father can answer his children's questions when his own spirit is in turmoil.

Similarly, Saartjie, who is also explored in the song, is presented as a mother who can still find love in the darkest of nights. Despite her weary face and the burden she carries, her words lose their essence by the fireside. The singer ponders how a mother can answer her children's questions when her own spirit is fragmented.

These lyrics paint a portrait of individuals who have experienced the harshness of life and have become disillusioned. The themes of disconnection, internal turmoil, and the struggle to find meaning and answers in the face of adversity are at the core of this song.

Line by Line Meaning

Herken jy vir Diesman
Do you recognize Diesman

Soos ek Diesman ken?
As I know Diesman?

Hy’t die noodlot gevry en sy angel bekend
He has courted fate and revealed its sting

Hy’s ‘n man of distinction, hy’s ‘n man van die see
He is a man of distinction, he is a man of the sea

Maar saans langs die vure is sy woorde verlee
But by the fireside at night, his words are lost

My gees verskeur en uitgeloop
My spirit torn and drained

En opgevreet my brokkies brood
And my bits of bread devoured

En oor my siel die lot gewerp
And fate thrown upon my soul

En steeds die leuen se lem verskerp
And still the blade of lies sharpens

Sê my hoe antwoord ‘n pa dan sy kinders se vrae?
Tell me, how does a father answer his children's questions?

Maar ken jy vir Saartjie
But do you know Saartjie