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.
Solly en Ma
Coenie De Villiers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(die Karoo in die winter word koud)
Ek was tien daardie jaar en my broer was vier
en my ma was skielik oud
Sy't rokke gemaak vir die hele distrik
en gewerk tot laat in die nag
en soms as sy opkyk sou 'n mens kon sweer
Solly was 'n boerejood
op reis van plek tot plek
met knope en lappe sy brood verdien
dog kwalik sy petrol gedek
En deur die jare het Solly aan ma
meer as knope en garing verkoop
haar oë was nou immer op die pad gerig
in haar hart was daar skielik weer hoop
Na ete dan vat hy my ma se hand
en die kinders moes buite bly
maar selfs na jare se kom en gaan
bly sy woorde my steeds nog by:
(koor)
Kom ek en jy gaan vye pluk
en ons los die kind om te speel
die lewe is hard en die bietjie geluk
wat ons het, my lief, moet ons deel
Want dis rooier as 'n malva
en dis so seker soos die son
selfs anderkant die liefde
lê my hart se horison
Die jare het verbygeflits
die lewe was goed vir ma
Solly het haar weer 'n vrou gemaak
gehelp om die las te dra
Maar eendag het ons nuus gekry
van die Buick op 'n draai in die pad
ma se hart het ineengekrimp
want die Here het Solly gevat
Ek weet dit was sonde, het my ma gebieg
en die Singer getrap dat hy dreun
want 'n vrou bly 'n vrou, en Solly was man -
maar wat sal jy weet, my seun?
En tog onthou ek sy sagte oë
as hy vra of ons buite sou bly
en selfs na jare se kom en gaan
bly sy woorde my steeds nog by:
(koor)
The Coenie De Villiers's song "Solly en Ma" talks about a son and his younger brother who lost their father, and now their mother has to work hard to provide for them. She made dresses for the whole district and worked late into the night. Sometimes, she looked up, and it seemed like their father was still on the doorstep. Then comes Solly, a travelling seller of buttons and patches, who became more than just a vendor to the mother. He brought hope back into her heart, and even after years of coming and going, his words remain with the son.
After years passed, life became good for the mother, with Solly helping her carry the burden. However, news of Solly's sudden death crushed her, and the son remembers her confession of considering it a sin and even kicking the sewing machine in anger, but it was a man's job, and Solly was a man. Despite all that, the son still recalls Solly's gentle eyes, his invitation to pick figs, and how his words still remain with him even after all these years.
The song talks about the fleeting nature of happiness, how little moments of joy are essential to cherish and hold onto in life. The lyrics tell a story of love, companionship, hope, and loss, and the idea that even the simplest things, like picking figs, can hold great value in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Na pa se dood was ma alleen
After dad's death, mom was left alone
(die Karoo in die winter word koud)
(the Karoo gets cold in the winter)
Ek was tien daardie jaar en my broer was vier
I was ten that year and my brother was four
en my ma was skielik oud
and my mom suddenly seemed old
Sy't rokke gemaak vir die hele distrik
She made dresses for the whole district
en gewerk tot laat in die nag
and worked late into the night
en soms as sy opkyk sou 'n mens kon sweer
and sometimes when she looked up one could swear
dat sy pa op die drumpel verwag
that she was expecting dad on the doorstep
Solly was 'n boerejood
Solly was a traveling salesman
op reis van plek tot plek
traveling from place to place
met knope en lappe sy brood verdien
he earned his living with buttons and fabric
dog kwalik sy petrol gedek
but he hardly covered his petrol costs
En deur die jare het Solly aan ma
And over the years Solly sold to mom
meer as knope en garing verkoop
more than just buttons and thread
haar oë was nou immer op die pad gerig
her eyes were now always fixed on the road
in haar hart was daar skielik weer hoop
in her heart there was suddenly hope again
Na ete dan vat hy my ma se hand
After dinner he would take my mom's hand
en die kinders moes buite bly
and the kids had to stay outside
maar selfs na jare se kom en gaan
but even after years have passed
bly sy woorde my steeds nog by:
her words still stay with me:
(koor)
(chorus)
Kom ek en jy gaan vye pluk
Come you and I, let's go pick figs
en ons los die kind om te speel
and we'll let the kids play
die lewe is hard en die bietjie geluk
Life is tough and the little happiness
wat ons het, my lief, moet ons deel
we have, my love, we must share
Want dis rooier as 'n malva
because it's redder than a hibiscus
en dis so seker soos die son
and it's as sure as the sun
selfs anderkant die liefde
even beyond love
lê my hart se horison
lies the horizon of my heart
Die jare het verbygeflits
The years have flown by
die lewe was goed vir ma
life was good for mom
Solly het haar weer 'n vrou gemaak
Solly made her a woman again
gehelp om die las te dra
helped to bear the burden
Maar eendag het ons nuus gekry
But one day we heard the news
van die Buick op 'n draai in die pad
of the Buick on a bend in the road
ma se hart het ineengekrimp
mom's heart shrunk
want die Here het Solly gevat
because the Lord took Solly
Ek weet dit was sonde, het my ma gebieg
I know it was a sin,
en die Singer getrap dat hy dreun
and she cursed the Singer
want 'n vrou bly 'n vrou, en Solly was man -
because a woman remains a woman, and Solly was a man -
maar wat sal jy weet, my seun?
but what would you know, my son?
En tog onthou ek sy sagte oë
And yet I remember his gentle eyes
as hy vra of ons buite sou bly
when he asked us to stay outside
en selfs na jare se kom en gaan
and even after years have passed
bly sy woorde my steeds nog by:
her words still stay with me:
(koor)
(chorus)
Contributed by Mason L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.