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.
Sien jou weer
Coenie De Villiers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Op ‘n straathoek eendag weer
Sien jou weer
Maar totdat dit gebeur
Onthou my
Ja onthou my
As die één wat jou altyd sal liefhê
Sien jou weer
Langs ‘n boulevard in Parys
Sien jou weer
Maar tot ons paadjies kruis
Onthou my
Ja onthou my
As die één wat jou altyd sal liefhê
Wie’s ons om te bepaal
Wie ’t gewen?
Wie ’t gefaal?
Wie kan tog sê waar die antwoord dan lê?
Onthou my
Ja onthou my
As die één wat jou altyd sal liefhê
Sien jou weer
Oor ‘n glasie Cabernet
Sien jou weer
Maar totdat jy kom bly
Onthou my
Ja onthou my
As die één wat jou altyd sal liefhê
Wie’s ons om te bepaal
Wie ’t gewen?
Wie ’t gefaal?
Wie kan tog sê waar die antwoord dan lê?
In Coenie De Villiers's song "Sien jou weer", the singer expresses their desire to see someone again after a long period of time apart. The song is filled with longing and nostalgia, as the singer imagines various scenarios where they might run into this person again, but acknowledges that until that moment comes, all they can do is remember and hold onto their love for them. The lines "Onthou my, ja onthou my, as die één wat jou altyd sal liefhê" (Remember me, yes remember me, as the one who will always love you) serve as a constant refrain throughout the song, emphasizing the singer's unwavering commitment to this person, no matter what the future holds.
One of the most interesting aspects of this song is its use of specific locations to evoke a sense of time and place. The singer describes seeing the person again on a street corner, in Paris, and over a glass of Cabernet, painting a vivid picture of the different scenarios they imagine. This specificity adds to the song's nostalgic tone, as the singer is not just longing for the person, but also for the specific moments and places they shared together.
Another interesting aspect of the song is its questioning of fate and the idea of who is ultimately responsible for the success or failure of a relationship. The lines "Wie’s ons om te bepaal / Wie ’t gewen? / Wie ’t gefaal? / Wie kan tog sê waar die antwoord dan lê?" (Who are we to decide / Who won? / Who failed? / Who can say where the answer lies?) suggest a sense of resignation on the part of the singer, who acknowledges that some things are beyond their control.
Line by Line Meaning
Sien jou weer
I hope to see you again someday
Op ‘n straathoek eendag weer
Perhaps we'll cross paths on a street corner one day
Maar totdat dit gebeur
Until that time comes
Onthou my
Remember me
Ja onthou my
Yes, please remember me
As die één wat jou altyd sal liefhê
As the one who will always love you
Langs ‘n boulevard in Parys
Maybe we'll meet along a Parisian boulevard
Maar tot ons paadjies kruis
But until our paths cross
Wie’s ons om te bepaal
Who are we to decide
Wie ’t gewen?
Who has won?
Wie ’t gefaal?
Who has failed?
Wie kan tog sê waar die antwoord dan lê?
Who can really say where the answer lies?
Oor ‘n glasie Cabernet
Perhaps over a glass of Cabernet
Maar totdat jy kom bly
But until you arrive, please stay in my memory
Contributed by Keira I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.