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.
Niemandsland
Coenie De Villiers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ek's 'n bedoeïen op reis
Geen status maak meer saak nie
Want die wêreld is my huis
In my Niemandsland is almal vry
Word grense geïgnoreer
Word elk' burokraat bloot afgelag
Ek's 'n burger van die wêreld
Ek bewoon 'n Niemandsland
Sonder wette, sonder grense,
Ek's aan elke mens verwant
Ek's Sjinees, Kubaans en Russies
- my paspoort is verpand
maak nie saak van waar jy kyk nie:
ek bly aan die ander kant
in my Niemandsland
Vandag is ek 'n Arabier
Selfs 'n wandelende Jood
Waar ek woon is daar geen oorlog nie
Elke kind het melk en brood
Daar's geen regbank waar ek woon nie,
en geen oordeel hier wat geld nie
Daar's geen koerante wat met nydigheid
Elke oortreding meld nie
Ek's 'n burger van die wêreld
Ek bewoon 'n Niemandsland
Sonder wette, sonder grense,
Ek's aan elke mens verwant
Ek's Sjinees, Kubaans en Russies
- my paspoort is verpand
maak nie saak van waar jy kyk nie:
ek bly aan die ander kant
in my Niemandsland
Hier kan ek my mantel draai
Doen waarna ek voel
Doen waarvoor ek lus het
Sonder meesterplan of doel
The lyrics to Coenie De Villiers's song "Niemandsland" tell the story of a traveler who has transcended governmental, national, and cultural boundaries. The first stanza sets up the central theme of the song: the traveler is a Bedouin on a journey, and the world is their home. They are not bound by any system of rules or societal norms, and they have no concern for status or labels. In the next stanza, the traveler describes their Niemandsland, a place where everyone is free, and borders and bureaucrats are irrelevant. Here, the traveler finds a sense of belonging and community, living without laws or limits. They are a citizen of the world, with a passport that is surrendered, and they feel connected to every person they meet regardless of their nationality.
The final stanza of the song continues this theme of living outside of the societal structures that govern most people's lives. There is no war in the traveler's Niemandsland, and every child has enough food and opportunity to thrive. There is no judiciary system or critical press, only a sense of freedom and the ability to live and act without fear of judgement or punishment. The traveler is truly at peace in their Niemandsland, free to wear their coat in any direction, pursue their desires without a plan, and live according to the whims of their own heart.
Overall, "Niemandsland" is an ode to the freedom and sense of community that can be found when one transcends governmental and cultural boundaries. The song suggests that borders, passports, and societal rules are relatively meaningless constructs that only serve to limit individuals' potential for connection, creativity, and exploration.
Line by Line Meaning
Jou reëls kan my nie bind nie
I am a Bedouin on a journey and cannot be bound by your rules.
Geen status maak meer saak nie
I do not care about social status anymore.
Want die wêreld is my huis
The world is my home.
In my Niemandsland is almal vry
In my no man's land, everyone is free.
Word grense geïgnoreer
Borders are ignored.
Word elk' burokraat bloot afgelag
Bureaucrats are laughed off without opposition.
sonder teëspraak of verweer
Without any challenge or defense.
Ek's 'n burger van die wêreld
I am a citizen of the world.
Ek bewoon 'n Niemandsland
I live in a no man's land.
Sonder wette, sonder grense,
Without laws or borders,
Ek's aan elke mens verwant
I am related to every person.
Ek's Sjinees, Kubaans en Russies
I am Chinese, Cuban, and Russian.
- my paspoort is verpand
My passport is pledged.
maak nie saak van waar jy kyk nie:
No matter where you look,
ek bly aan die ander kant
I reside on the other side,
Vandag is ek 'n Arabier
Today I am an Arab.
Selfs 'n wandelende Jood
Even a wandering Jew.
Waar ek woon is daar geen oorlog nie
There is no war where I live.
Elke kind het melk en brood
Every child has milk and bread.
Daar's geen regbank waar ek woon nie,
There is no court where I reside,
en geen oordeel hier wat geld nie
And no judgment here that is valid.
Daar's geen koerante wat met nydigheid
There are no newspapers that report on,
Elke oortreding meld nie
Every transgression.
Hier kan ek my mantel draai
Here, I can turn my coat.
Doen waarna ek voel
Do what I feel like doing.
Doen waarvoor ek lus het
Do what I desire.
Sonder meesterplan of doel
Without a master plan or purpose.
Contributed by Jacob K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.