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.
Magdaleen
Coenie De Villiers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is lank reeds oorboord
Maar ek leef ongestoot tussen bed en die dek
Dis al wat ek het
En ek
Ek bewaar nog die skyn
Die rouge word ‘n muur waar agter ek kan verdwyn
Vroegaand die vreeste opman
Om laatnag die gesig te verban
Om soggens die lakens en bed van die spoor te ontsmet wat die liefde daar laat
Daar is karmosyn rooi spikkels
Op die dertig silwer sikkels in my kas
My maat dink ek werk as ‘n eerbare klerk by Doeane en Aksyns
Maar ek is ‘n raaf van die nag
Wat by die hawe hoof wag
Die liedfe mon chevalier, is my beroep
Daar is karmosyn rooi spikkels
Op die dertig silwer sikkels in my kas
Ah my maat dink ek werk as ‘n eerbare klerk by Doeane en Aksyns
Maar ek is ‘n raaf van die nag
Wat by die hawe hoof wag
Die liedfe mon chevalier, is my beroep
Is my beroep
The lyrics to Coenie De Villiers's song "Magdaleen" tell the story of a person who lives a double life. They mention "rotte" (rats) being overboard, which can be interpreted as disregarding societal norms and expectations. The singer reveals that they live unnoticed between "bed and the deck," symbolizing a life of anonymity and secrecy. The line "Dis al wat ek het" (It's all I have) suggests a sense of resignation or acceptance of their circumstances.
The lyrics describe the singer preserving an illusion, where the "rouge" becomes a wall behind which they can disappear, a metaphorical barrier between their true self and the world. The reference to "my geestes gordyn" (my mental curtain) further emphasizes the idea of hiding and shielding their inner thoughts and desires.
The following lines convey the singer's nighttime activities: raising fears in the evening, hiding their face late at night, and disinfecting the bed and sheets in the morning, erasing any trace of the love that took place there. These actions likely serve to maintain their secret life and keep their true identity concealed.
The lyrics also touch upon the singer's occupation, presenting a contrast between what their partner believes and their actual profession. While their partner thinks they work as an honorable clerk at Customs and Excise ("Doeane en Aksyns"), the truth is that they are a "raaf van die nag" (raven of the night) who waits at the harbor. The phrase "Die liedfe mon chevalier, is my beroep" (The life of my horseman is my profession) may suggest that they work as some form of an entertainer or performer, engaging with various characters in the night.
Line by Line Meaning
Die rotte
The rats
Is lank reeds oorboord
Have long been overboard
Maar ek leef ongestoot tussen bed en die dek
But I live undisturbed between bed and the deck
Dis al wat ek het
It's all I have
En ek
And I
Ek bewaar nog die skyn
I still keep the appearance
Die rouge word ‘n muur waar agter ek kan verdwyn
The rouge becomes a wall behind which I can disappear
My geestes gordyn
My mental curtain
Vroegaand die vreeste opman
Early evening, stirring up the fear
Om laatnag die gesig te verban
To banish the face late at night
Om soggens die lakens en bed van die spoor te ontsmet wat die liefde daar laat
To disinfect the sheets and bed in the morning from the trace love leaves there
Daar is karmosyn rooi spikkels
There are crimson red specks
Op die dertig silwer sikkels in my kas
On the thirty silver coins in my case
My maat dink ek werk as ‘n eerbare klerk by Doeane en Aksyns
My partner thinks I work as an honest clerk at Customs and Excise
Maar ek is ‘n raaf van die nag
But I am a raven of the night
Wat by die hawe hoof wag
Who waits at the main dock
Die liedfe mon chevalier, is my beroep
The life, my knight, is my profession
Is my beroep
Is my profession
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: COENIE DE VILLIERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind