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.
Magda Se Tuin
Coenie De Villiers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
spin politici drome
onder druipende, donkerpers bome;
word dan en wan
selfs 'n witskrif beplan
in haar Oktober-tuin,
haar Bryntirion-tuin
word die spyskaart bespreek -
die gesprek is verfyn
soos die wit porselein
wat rinkel en klink
as sy weer 'n keer skink
in Magda se tuin,
Haar Bryntirion-tuin
(koor)
En die ringmuur loop wit
om haar tuin
en die ysterhek is gegote
en die naam van die huis
lees "Welkom Tuis",
maar die reusehek bly geslote
ja, Magda se tuin bly geslote
In Magda se tuin
staan besoekers verbaas
oor die grasperk se froen
dier die sproeiers se waas;
maar die glas op die muur
is bierbottelbruin
in Magda se tuin,
haar Bryntirion-tuin
In Magda se tuin
is die visdam versteek
en 'n goudvis wat soms
deur die oppervlak breek
is meerendeels geel
maar af en toe bruin
in Magda se tuin
haar Bryntirion-tuin
(koor)
The song "Magda se tuin" by Coenie De Villiers is about a woman named Magda and her beautiful garden, which is surrounded by tall walls and a locked gate. The garden represents a sanctuary and a hidden oasis with its magnificent flora and fauna. The singer describes the politics-spinning dreams that are often discussed in this garden under the dripping dark trees. The intrigue of the political discourse is contrasted with the refinement of the conversations around the weekly meal discussions, which is as delicate as the white porcelain that is associated with such refined conversations.
The garden itself is meticulously designed and maintained, with visitors awestruck by the lush green grass and the refreshing mist from the sprinklers. The lyrics also touch on Magda's fish pond, where a goldfish sometimes emerges from the water's surface. The beauty of the garden is insinuated throughout the song, while the closed wrought iron gate emphasizes the sense of privacy, which elevates the garden to become a mystical place of refuge for Magda.
Line by Line Meaning
In Magda se tuin
In Magda's garden
spin politici drome
spiders spin political dreams
onder druipende, donkerpers bome;
under dripping, dark purple trees;
word dan en wan
they become then and again
selfs 'n witskrif beplan
even planning a white paper
in haar Oktober-tuin,
in her October garden,
haar Bryntirion-tuin
her Bryntirion garden
En eenmaal per week
And once a week
word die spyskaart bespreek -
the menu is discussed
die gesprek is verfyn
the conversation is refined
soos die wit porselein
like the white porcelain
wat rinkel en klink
that clatters and rings
as sy weer 'n keer skink
when she pours again
in Magda se tuin,
in Magda's garden,
Haar Bryntirion-tuin
her Bryntirion garden
(koor)
(chorus)
En die ringmuur loop wit
And the ring wall is white
om haar tuin
around her garden
en die ysterhek is gegote
and the iron gate is cast
en die naam van die huis
and the name of the house
lees "Welkom Tuis",
reads "Welcome Home",
maar die reusehek bly geslote
but the giant gate remains closed
ja, Magda se tuin bly geslote
yes, Magda's garden remains closed
In Magda se tuin
In Magda's garden
staan besoekers verbaas
visitors stand amazed
oor die grasperk se froen
at the lawn's green
dier die sproeiers se waas;
through the mist of the sprinklers;
maar die glas op die muur
but the glass on the wall
is bierbottelbruin
is beer bottle brown
in Magda se tuin,
in Magda's garden,
haar Bryntirion-tuin
her Bryntirion garden
In Magda se tuin
In Magda's garden
is die visdam versteek
the fishpond is hidden
en 'n goudvis wat soms
and a goldfish that sometimes
deur die oppervlak breek
breaks through the surface
is meerendeels geel
is mostly yellow
maar af en toe bruin
but occasionally brown
in Magda se tuin
in Magda's garden,
haar Bryntirion-tuin
her Bryntirion garden
(koor)
(chorus)
Contributed by Sydney K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.