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.
Michelangelo
Coenie De Villiers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Waar hy daagliks met penseel sy visie van die heelal deel
Daar is gerubs en orakels, profete en hy self
In die hemel ingeskilder tuur af uit die gewelf
Snags drup kerse warm was in sy oë op sy kwas
Wat elke tint van elke kleur uit sy hande laat gebeur
Daar’s die roesrooi van Toskane, die blou van hierdie lug
En in die middel daar reik God, Sy vinger na die mensdom uit
Na Adam wat nou skaam en naak skugter uit sy slaap ontwaak
Die Skepper blaas na eeue steeds lewe in die man
Wat namens ons wat opkyk, Sy asem bly ontvang
En kardinale wat sou opkyk, ver benede op die vloer
Weet hul sien ‘n wonderwerk
Word dadelik meegevoer
Deur die maestro wat uit pleister, en pigment ‘n hemel maak
Wat die Ware Meester naboots wat iedereen diep raak
En in die middel daar reik God, Sy vinger na die mensdom uit
Na Adam wat nou skaam en naak skugter uit sy slaap ontwaak
Die Skepper blaas na eeue steeds lewe in die man
Wat namens ons wat opkyk, Sy asem bly ontvang
En in die middel daar reik God, Sy vinger na die mensdom uit
Na Adam wat nou skaam en naak skugter uit sy slaap ontwaak
Die Skepper blaas na eeue steeds lewe in die man
Wat namens ons wat opkyk, Sy asem bly ontvang
En in die middel daar reik God, Sy vinger na die mensdom uit
Na Adam wat nou skaam en naak skugter uit sy slaap ontwaak
Die Skepper blaas na eeue steeds lewe in die man
Wat namens ons wat opkyk, Sy asem bly ontvang
The lyrics to Coenie De Villiers's song "Michelangelo" describe the artist Michelangelo and his unique perspective on the world. The opening line, "Die betongewelf van die kapel word sy hemel, word sy hel" (The concrete vault of the chapel becomes his heaven, becomes his hell), portrays how Michelangelo's creative sanctuary becomes both a place of divine inspiration and inner struggle.
The lyrics go on to describe Michelangelo's daily engagement with his art, as he shares his vision of the universe through his brushes. The lines "Daar is gerubs en orakels, profete en hy self" (There are cherubs and oracles, prophets and himself) suggest the heavenly and prophetic nature of his work, as well as his personal connection to it.
The song also touches on Michelangelo's mastery of color, referencing the hues of Tuscany, the blue sky, and the unprecedented green against the backdrop of the church. Through his artwork, he strives to capture the essence and beauty of the world around him.
In the middle of his artistic creation, God reaches out to humanity, symbolized by Adam awakening from his slumber, shy and vulnerable. The Creator breathes life into man, and the song suggests that this act of creation is ongoing, as long as there are those who look up and are receptive to God's breath.
Overall, "Michelangelo" celebrates the power and impact of artistry, the connection between the artist and the divine, and the eternal nature of creation.
Line by Line Meaning
Die betongewelf van die kapel word sy hemel, word sy hel
The concrete vault of the chapel becomes his heaven, becomes his hell
Waar hy daagliks met penseel sy visie van die heelal deel
Where he daily shares his vision of the universe with his brush
Daar is gerubs en orakels, profete en hy self
There are cherubs and oracles, prophets and himself
In die hemel ingeskilder tuur af uit die gewelf
In the painted heaven, he gazes down from the vault
Snags drup kerse warm was in sy oë op sy kwas
At night, warm wax drips from candles onto his brush
Wat elke tint van elke kleur uit sy hande laat gebeur
Which makes every shade of every color happen from his hands
Daar’s die roesrooi van Toskane, die blou van hierdie lug
There's the russet red of Tuscany, the blue of this sky
Daar is groen soos nooit tevore, hier teen die kerk se rug
There is green like never before, here against the church's back
En in die middel daar reik God, Sy vinger na die mensdom uit
And in the middle, God reaches out His finger to humanity
Na Adam wat nou skaam en naak skugter uit sy slaap ontwaak
To Adam who now shyly awakes from his sleep, feeling ashamed and naked
Die Skepper blaas na eeue steeds lewe in die man
The Creator breathes life into the man for centuries to come
Wat namens ons wat opkyk, Sy asem bly ontvang
Who on our behalf, as we look up, continues to receive His breath
En kardinale wat sou opkyk, ver benede op die vloer
And cardinals who would look up, far below on the floor
Weet hul sien ‘n wonderwerk
They know they see a miracle
Word dadelik meegevoer
They are immediately carried away
Deur die maestro wat uit pleister, en pigment ‘n hemel maak
By the maestro who creates a heaven out of plaster and pigment
Wat die Ware Meester naboots wat iedereen diep raak
Who imitates the True Master, touching everyone deeply
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind