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.
My Huis
Coenie De Villiers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wat gebou is op 'n rots
Wat uitkyk oor die see
Bo die water se geklots
Hy is gepantser teen die winde
Wat aanstoot teen die kus
Hy beskut sy kamers binne
Mense woon daar in my huis
'n Pa, 'n ma en 'n kind
Hulle kyk deur die huis se vensters
Word deur die son op die see verblind
Hulle kom en gaan soos mense maar doen
Ja, die huis word soms verwaarloos
Dan maak ek flink die luike oop
Al bied dit weinig troos
Die mense in my huis is soms selfs argeloos en tog
Ek is bly hulle's hier want op 'n manier
Is ek aan elke een verknog
Hulle leef in die kamers van my huis
Eet die kos wat ek daagliks berei
Die jaar draai stadig op sy rug
En dan is hy verby
Hulle pak hulle koffers en tasse
Verlaat die huis een-een
En skielik staan die kamers leeg
En weer woon ek alleen
My hart is soos 'n huis
Wat gebou is op 'n rots
Wat uitkyk oor die see
Bo die water se geklots
My hart is soos 'n huis
Wat gebou is op 'n rots
Wat uitkyk oor die see
Bo die water se geklots
The song “My Huis” by Coenie De Villiers is a beautiful portrayal of the heart being like a home built on a rock, overlooking the sea. The heart is protected from the winds that crash against the shore, and within its walls is a safe haven to seek shelter. The people who live in this “huis” are a family - a father, mother, and child, who look out at the sea and are blinded by the sun's glare. The family is the proprietor of the home, dwelling in its chambers and eating the food that is lovingly prepared each day.
The year passes slowly, and sometimes the family neglects the home. But when the louvers are opened, the family is reminded of their love for the house, even though it offers little comfort. The family who resides in the house is often careless and yet the singer is happy they're there because in some way or another, he has become close to each one of them. However, eventually, they pack their bags to depart one by one, leaving the singer alone again in the empty rooms of his heart's "huis."
The song is poignant and is reflective of the human emotions of love, family, separation, and nostalgia. The singer has masterfully used the image of a home built by the sea as a metaphor for the heart, and its family occupants representing the love and care that should reside within it. “My Huis” is a wonderful tribute to those who hold a special place in our hearts.
Line by Line Meaning
My hart is soos 'n huis
My heart is like a house
Wat gebou is op 'n rots
Built on a solid foundation
Wat uitkyk oor die see
Overlooking the sea
Bo die water se geklots
Above the sound of the waves
Hy is gepantser teen die winde
Protected from the winds
Wat aanstoot teen die kus
That hit against the coast
Hy beskut sy kamers binne
It shelters its rooms inside
Word 'n skuiling om in te rus
Becomes a refuge to rest in
Mense woon daar in my huis
People live in my house
'n Pa, 'n ma en 'n kind
A father, a mother, and a child
Hulle kyk deur die huis se vensters
They look through the house's windows
Word deur die son op die see verblind
Blinded by the sun on the sea
Hulle kom en gaan soos mense maar doen
They come and go like people do
Ja, die huis word soms verwaarloos
Yes, the house is sometimes neglected
Dan maak ek flink die luike oop
Then I quickly open the shutters
Al bied dit weinig troos
Although it provides little comfort
Die mense in my huis is soms selfs argeloos en tog
The people in my house are sometimes even naïve, yet
Ek is bly hulle's hier want op 'n manier
I am glad they are here because in a way
Is ek aan elke een verknog
I am attached to each one of them
Hulle leef in die kamers van my huis
They live in the rooms of my house
Eet die kos wat ek daagliks berei
Eat the food I prepare daily
Die jaar draai stadig op sy rug
The year slowly turns on its back
En dan is hy verby
And then it's over
Hulle pak hulle koffers en tasse
They pack their suitcases and bags
Verlaat die huis een-een
Leave the house one by one
En skielik staan die kamers leeg
And suddenly the rooms are empty
En weer woon ek alleen
And once again I live alone
My hart is soos 'n huis
My heart is like a house
Wat gebou is op 'n rots
Built on a solid foundation
Wat uitkyk oor die see
Overlooking the sea
Bo die water se geklots
Above the sound of the waves
My hart is soos 'n huis
My heart is like a house
Wat gebou is op 'n rots
Built on a solid foundation
Wat uitkyk oor die see
Overlooking the sea
Bo die water se geklots
Above the sound of the waves
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind