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.
Skoppensboer
Coenie De Villiers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
En die kroegman wink om die wins te tel
‘n Laaste teug aan my bitter bier, kortstondige troos, lewens versier
Verhale vertel uit die amber glas
Van helde wat val in ‘n lokval verras
Van keiwende vroue en van liefde wat was
Gesigte wat droom oor ‘n skuimende glas
‘n Skoppensboer drie en ‘n klawer jas twee
Besweer soms die pyn wat die lewe kan gee
Dis hier deur meneer hier's jou hoed en jou jas
Lê die kleingeld wat klink in die kroegman se kas
Om die troosing te drink en dan meer te skink
Sal die eensaamheid keer, dis my lewens verweer
Maar wie is die man teen die toonbank se rand?
Die een wat sy siel aan die kroegman verpant?
Deel nog ‘n kaart oor die groen fluweel
Waar ‘n viermanskap teen die noodlot speel
En die waarheid soek in die kaarte en in die wyn
En dan een vir een in die nag verdwyn
‘n Skoppensboer drie en ‘n klawer jas twee
Besweer soms die pyn wat die lewe kan gee
Dis hier deur meneer hier's jou hoed en jou jas
Lê die kleingeld wat klink in die kroegman se kas
The song Skoppensboer by Coenie de Villiers & Rupert Mellor is about the nightlife at a pub, where people gather to drink and drown their sorrows. The song begins with the singer observing the barman counting his profits at midnight while he finishes his bitter beer. He finds momentary solace in the drink and the company of the other patrons. The song then shifts to the stories told in the pub, from tales of heroes who fell for traps to stories of women and lost love. The faces around the singer dream and drink to forget their troubles.
The chorus features the words "‘n Skoppensboer drie en ‘n klawer jas twee," which translates to "a three of spades and a two of clubs." It is a reference to the card game often played in pubs to pass the time. The song suggests that sometimes playing cards and drinking at the pub can help ease the pain of life's struggles. The song ends on a darker note, with the singer wondering who the man at the counter is, the one who seems to have sold his soul to the pub.
Line by Line Meaning
Teen middernag ontbind die spel
At midnight, the game begins to unwind
En die kroegman wink om die wins te tel
And the bartender signals to count the profits
‘n Laaste teug aan my bitter bier, kortstondige troos, lewens versier
A final sip of my bitter beer, brief comfort, life embellished
Verhale vertel uit die amber glas
Tales told through the amber glass
Van helde wat val in ‘n lokval verras
Of heroes who fall into a trap
Van keiwende vroue en van liefde wat was
Of charming women and lost love
Gesigte wat droom oor ‘n skuimende glas
Faces dreaming over a foaming glass
‘n Skoppensboer drie en ‘n klawer jas twee
Three spades and two clubs
Besweer soms die pyn wat die lewe kan gee
Sometimes dispels the pain that life can give
Dis hier deur meneer hier's jou hoed en jou jas
Here, sir, is your hat and jacket
Lê die kleingeld wat klink in die kroegman se kas
Leave the small change that clinks in the bartender's cash register
Om die troosing te drink en dan meer te skink
To drink in comfort and then pour out more
Sal die eensaamheid keer, dis my lewens verweer
Will turn away loneliness, it's my life's defense
Maar wie is die man teen die toonbank se rand?
But who is the man at the counter's edge?
Die een wat sy siel aan die kroegman verpant?
The one who sells his soul to the bartender?
Deel nog ‘n kaart oor die groen fluweel
Deal another card on the green velvet
Waar ‘n viermanskap teen die noodlot speel
Where a quartet plays against fate
En die waarheid soek in die kaarte en in die wyn
And seeks the truth in cards and wine
En dan een vir een in die nag verdwyn
And then one by one, they disappear into the night
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind