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.

Polvyntjie
Coenie De Villiers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Kom sit hier by my, my klein ou, polvyntjie
Al wat ek vra is 'n drukkie en maybe 'n wyntjie
Goedkoop bosbloed is ook maar goed vir my
Society rejected me, polvyntjie

Maar op die baai in my skip
Is dit nou al geluk
Independent

You see that's me

Daar's 'n wind op die kaai
Daar's die snoek sellers cry
Polvyntjie, jy weet dis die sout en die sweet vir my

Wel, dis die wind en die weer waar die dinge gebeur, polvyntjie
So paar keer dronk, weet jy hoe lyk dit in die tronk, polvyntjie
Maar dis die lewe vir my, jy dink die ring kan maar bly, polvyntjie
Society rejected me, polvyntjie

Maar op die baai in my skip
Is dit nou al geluk
Independent
You see
That's me

Daar's 'n wind op die kaai

Daar's die snoek sellers cry
Polvyntjie, jy weet dis die sout en die sweet vir my

Overall Meaning

The song "Polvyntjie" by Coenie De Villiers is a heartfelt tune that tells the story of a rejected member of society who finds solace in the simple things in life. The song's protagonist is inviting a young child, called "polvyntjie" (little pillow) to sit with him and have a chat. He mentions that all he asks for is a hug and maybe a glass of wine, but even cheap box wine will do. He tells the child that society has rejected him, but he has found happiness on his boat, where he can be independent and free.

The singer explains that life happens on the bay, where the wind and the weather dictate what goes on. He admits to being drunk a few times, and he knows what jail looks like. But he accepts his life for what it is and tells the child that they can keep their fancy ring because, for him, life on the bay is where it's at. He may be rejected by society, but to him, that doesn't matter because he is happy living life on his own terms.

The song is a beautiful mix of simple language and metaphor, giving us a glimpse into the life of a man who has been rejected by society but has found happiness in the simple things. The wind on the bay and the sound of the crying snoek sellers are all he needs to feel complete. "Polvyntjie" is a reminder that happiness is not found in material things but in the simple pleasures of life.

Line by Line Meaning

Kom sit hier by my, my klein ou, polvyntjie
Come sit here with me, my little one, polvyntjie

Al wat ek vra is 'n drukkie en maybe 'n wyntjie
All I ask for is a hug and maybe a drink

Goedkoop bosbloed is ook maar goed vir my
Cheap wine is also good enough for me

Society rejected me, polvyntjie
Society rejected me, polvyntjie

Maar op die baai in my skip
But on the bay in my ship

Is dit nou al geluk
This is already happiness

Independent
Independent

You see that's me
You see, that's me

Daar's 'n wind op die kaai
There's a wind on the quay

Daar's die snoek sellers cry
There's the cry of the snoek sellers

Polvyntjie, jy weet dis die sout en die sweet vir my
Polvyntjie, you know it's the salt and the sweet for me