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.
Liefdesversie
Coenie De Villiers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'n bloedspoor teen die sneeudrif los
kan jy by my kom lê
as die wolwe teen die hortjies huil
en die winterson in jou bloed kom skuil
kan jy by my kom lê
in die limbo van die aarde
sal jy vir my 'n lapkind gee
met sagte haar' en sagte oë
soos die fluweelsnoet
van 'n rendier
The song "Liefdesversie" by Coenie De Villiers is a beautiful love song that expresses a deep desire to be with someone in all seasons of life. The lyrics describe the different stages of life and the challenges that come with them, but the singer reassures his partner that he will always be there for her. In the first verse, he talks about a bloody trail in the snow and urges his partner to come lie with him, despite the danger around them. In the second verse, he talks about the howling wolves and the cold winter that can creep into one's blood, and once again invites his partner to come be with him.
However, in the third verse, the song takes a different turn. The singer talks about the coming of spring and the fragile nature of life, and how he wants his partner to bear him a child with soft hair and gentle eyes, like the face of a reindeer. This can be interpreted as a desire to create something beautiful and lasting with his partner, despite the impermanence of life.
Overall, the song captures the essence of true love, which is to be together through all the ups and downs of life, and to create something beautiful and lasting together.
Line by Line Meaning
as die jagters van die donkerbos
'n bloedspoor teen die sneeudrif los
kan jy by my kom lê
If the hunters in the dark forest leave a trail of blood on the snowdrift, you can come and lie next to me.
as die wolwe teen die hortjies huil
en die winterson in jou bloed kom skuil
kan jy by my kom lê
If the wolves howl by the bushes and the winter hides in your blood, you can come and lie next to me.
maar as die brose lente roer
in die limbo van die aarde
sal jy vir my 'n lapkind gee
But when the fragile spring stirs in the limbo of the earth, you will give birth to a child for me.
met sagte haar' en sagte oë
soos die fluweelsnoet
van 'n rendier
With soft hair and soft eyes, like the velvet face of a reindeer.
Contributed by Kaitlyn T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.