Coenie de Villiers (Coenraad Grabe de Villiers), born 11 October 1956, is a… Read Full Bio ↴Coenie de Villiers (Coenraad Grabe de Villiers), born 11 October 1956, is a South African singer/songwriter, pianist, pop artist who sings in his mother tongue, Afrikaans. If any comparison was required, Coenie's music is best compared to the pop/rock of Herbert Groenemeyer (German language) or Billy Joel (USA English language).

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.

Ondanks Alles
Coenie De Villiers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

As die virus in my lyf
My laat boet vir sy verblyf
En my klein maak, krom en broos
Is jy nog daar om my te troos?

As my pas wou stadig word
En jy weet my lewe's kort
As jy die tekens aan my lees

Sou jy nog daar vir my kon wees?
Ondanks alles...

Dan sou ek, bevry, vir oulaas
My vlerke sprei
My van alle bande losmaak
En ondanks alles by jou bly

As die virus in my lyf
My laat boet vir sy verblyf
As my kragte daagliks taan
Sal jy steeds langs my bly staan?

As my glimlag stilweg kwyn
En my stem oplaas verdwyn
As die mense my vermy
Sou jy steeds by my kon bly?
Ondanks alles...

Dan sou ek, bevry, vir oulaas
My vlerke sprei
My van alle bande losmaak
En ondanks alles by jou bly

As die virus in my lyf
My laat boet vir sy verblyf
As my oë vir oulaas sluit
Bly jy die skipper van my skuit

Sal jy steeds by my kon bly?
Ondanks alles...

Overall Meaning

Coenie De Villiers's song "Ondanks Alles," translated to "Despite Everything" in English, is a powerful ballad that explores the notion of unconditional love and loyalty. The song's lyrics address the singer's fear of growing old and losing his strength, becoming vulnerable to illness, and eventually dying. However, throughout each verse, the singer asks the same question, whether his loved one will still stay by his side, "Ondanks alles." In essence, the song contemplates the steadfastness of true love, regardless of the various obstacles life may bring.

The opening verse presents a poignant scenario where the singer is plagued by a virus that has left him weak and vulnerable. The singer's fear of being left alone and uncared for is evident, as he asks if his loved one will still be there to comfort him. In the second verse, the lyrics are more somber as the singer contemplates his mortality, wondering if his loved one will still stand by his side if he were to grow old and weak.

The chorus serves as a powerful reminder of the strength of true love, as the singer expresses his desire to be with his loved one through thick and thin. The lyrics emphasize the idea of liberation that comes with love, as the singer imagines being set free from all of his burdens and simply existing alongside his beloved.

Overall, the song is an emotional and impactful exploration of the power of love and loyalty, even in the face of adversity and uncertainty.

Line by Line Meaning

As die virus in my lyf
If the virus is in my body

My laat boet vir sy verblyf
And it makes me pay for its stay

En my klein maak, krom en broos
And makes me small, hunched and fragile

Is jy nog daar om my te troos?
Are you still there to comfort me?

As my pas wou stadig word
If my pace was to slow down

En jy weet my lewe's kort
And you know my life is short

As jy die tekens aan my lees
If you can read the signs on me

Sou jy nog daar vir my kon wees?
Would you still be there for me?

Ondanks alles...
Despite everything...

Dan sou ek, bevry, vir oulaas
Then I would, liberated, for the last time