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.
Stil
Coenie De Villiers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wyd soos die Karoo
Op soos die vlaktes
Met die sterre daarbo
Sag soos die reën
Wat teen 'n berghang val
Teer soos jou vergifnis
Hartseer soos 'n wilger
Eensaam soos die maan
Onrustig soos die see
Wat teen die rotse slaan
Klein soos 'n tinktinkie
Of diep soos 'n daal
Jy met jou vergifnis
Mane sonder taal
Jy kan mis hoor as jy luister, want dit maak alles anders stil
Al is 'n somer hoe ook warm
Maak dit die wêreld om jou kil
Eensklaps sien jy werklik
Daardie goed wat waarlik tel
Dit wat sigbaar oorbly
Is wat die skepper jou vertel
Soet soos 'n psalm
Ontwykend soos die wind
Onpeilbaar soos die toekoms
En kwesbaar soos 'n kind
Warm soos die son
Wat in die winter by ons lê
Onverstaanbaar soos die liefde
Wat jy steeds in my belê
Jy kan mis hoor as jy luister, want dit maak alles anders stil
Al is 'n somer hoe ook warm
Maak dit die wêreld om jou kil
Eensklaps sien jy werklik
Daardie goed wat waarlik tel
Dit wat sigbaar oorbly is wat die skepper jou vertel
In die stilte na die storm
In die oog van die orkaan
As die wind oplaas gaan lê het
Bly ons liefde steeds nog staan
Eensklaps sien jy werklik
Daardie goed wat waarlik tel
Ja, dit wat sigbaar oorbly
Is wat die skepper jou vertel
The lyrics of Coenie De Villiers's song "Stil" paint a picture of various elements in nature that are used metaphorically to describe different emotions and experiences. The song begins by describing stillness that resembles the twilight, vastness like the Karoo (a semi-desert region in South Africa), and openness like the plains, with stars shining above. The imagery continues with comparisons to the gentle rain falling on a mountainside, the tenderness of forgiveness, and the moon's solitude. The restlessness of the sea crashing against rocks is also mentioned, along with the small tinktinkie (a bird) and the depths of a valley. Throughout the song, the theme of forgiveness is emphasized, conveying its power to bring peace and silence. Misunderstandings and misperceptions are highlighted, as they can make the world around you feel cold, even in the warmest of summers. The song suggests that true understanding comes when one looks beyond the surface and discovers what truly matters, as revealed by the creator.
Line by Line Meaning
Stil soos die skemer
Quiet like the twilight
Wyd soos die Karoo
Wide like the Karoo
Op soos die vlaktes
Open like the plains
Met die sterre daarbo
With the stars above
Sag soos die reën
Soft like the rain
Wat teen 'n berghang val
Falling against a mountainside
Teer soos jou vergifnis
Tender like your forgiveness
Mane sonder taal
Silent moons
Hartseer soos 'n wilger
Sad like a willow
Eensaam soos die maan
Lonely like the moon
Onrustig soos die see
Restless like the sea
Wat teen die rotse slaan
Crashing against the rocks
Klein soos 'n tinktinkie
Small like a tinktinkie
Of diep soos 'n daal
Or deep like a valley
Jy met jou vergifnis
You with your forgiveness
Mane sonder taal
Silent moons
Jy kan mis hoor as jy luister, want dit maak alles anders stil
You may miss it if you listen, because it makes everything else quiet
Al is 'n somer hoe ook warm
Even if the summer is hot
Maak dit die wêreld om jou kil
It makes the world around you cold
Eensklaps sien jy werklik
Suddenly you see truly
Daardie goed wat waarlik tel
Those things that truly matter
Dit wat sigbaar oorbly
What remains visible
Is wat die skepper jou vertel
Is what the creator tells you
Soet soos 'n psalm
Sweet like a psalm
Ontwykend soos die wind
Elusive like the wind
Onpeilbaar soos die toekoms
Unfathomable like the future
En kwesbaar soos 'n kind
And vulnerable like a child
Warm soos die son
Warm like the sun
Wat in die winter by ons lê
That lies with us in the winter
Onverstaanbaar soos die liefde
Incomprehensible like love
Wat jy steeds in my belê
That you still invest in me
In die stilte na die storm
In the silence after the storm
In die oog van die orkaan
In the eye of the hurricane
As die wind oplaas gaan lê het
When the wind has laid down
Bly ons liefde steeds nog staan
Our love still stands
Eensklaps sien jy werklik
Suddenly you see truly
Daardie goed wat waarlik tel
Those things that truly matter
Ja, dit wat sigbaar oorbly
Yes, what remains visible
Is wat die skepper jou vertel
Is what the creator tells you
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind