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.
Trigger-happy
Coenie De Villiers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
voor my venster is daar tralies wat sal hou
in my erf het ek 'n pitboel met 'n duidelike doel:
wie nie hoor sal uitendelik moet voel
Daar is doringdraad gespan
op elke muur, net waar ek kan
daar is ligte en sirenes op my dak
want wie weet wat kan gebeur
wees paraat, ou maat, of jy is in die kak
(koor)
Ek het twee kinders en 'n tjor
en 'n Magnum forty-four
elke Sondag braai ek vleis hier in my tuin
Ja die toekoms is nou helder
met my vinger op die sneller
jy kan kwalik sê 'n mens is trigger-happy
Ek het 'n panic button hier,
op my geweer is 'n visier
ons is gereed as jy kom lol hier in die nag
daar is 'n gaatjie in my deur
om flink en vinnig te bespeur
wie op die drumpel aan die buitekant dalk wag
Ons word gereeld gepatroleer
want die buurtwag het geleer:
'n grendel is eenvoudig nie genoeg nie
Hulle sê: be safe, be wise,
lock your car, immobilise
as jy nie môreoggend dalk wil werk toe stap nie!
(koor)
The lyrics of Coenie de Villiers's 'Trigger-happy' paint a picture of a paranoid, fearful individual who has gone to great lengths to protect himself and his family. The singer, an ordinary man with an ordinary wife, lives behind bars - both physical and metaphorical - and has a pit bull to protect his property. The sense of danger is palpable, with the presence of barbed wire along with lights and sirens on the roof, and a panic button on his firearm. The singer is ever-vigilant and prepared for any potential threat, going so far as to insinuate that he would not hesitate to use his Magnum .44 if provoked. The constant potential for danger has led the singer to become trigger-happy, always ready to shoot first and ask questions later.
The lyrics of 'Trigger-happy' can be interpreted as a reflection of the general sense of fear and paranoia that has enveloped South Africa due to its high crime rates. The constant threat of violence can make people feel as though they need to take extreme measures to protect themselves, leading them to become overly defensive and suspicious. Unfortunately, this 'us vs them' mentality perpetuates a cycle of fear and suspicion, leading to further prejudice and mistrust.
Line by Line Meaning
Ek's 'n doogewone ou met 'n doodgewone vrou
I'm an ordinary guy with an ordinary wife
voor my venster is daar tralies wat sal hou
There are bars on my windows that will keep me safe
in my erf het ek 'n pitboel met 'n duidelike doel:
In my yard I have a pit bull with a clear purpose:
wie nie hoor sal uitendelik moet voel
If you don't listen, you will eventually feel the consequences
Daar is doringdraad gespan
Barbed wire is stretched
op elke muur, net waar ek kan
On every wall, wherever I can
daar is ligte en sirenes op my dak
There are lights and sirens on my roof
Daar's ook tralies voor die deur
There are also bars in front of the door
want wie weet wat kan gebeur
Because who knows what can happen
wees paraat, ou maat, of jy is in die kak
Be ready, old friend, or you're in trouble
(koor)
(chorus)
Ek het twee kinders en 'n tjor
I have two kids and a gun
en 'n Magnum forty-four
And a Magnum forty-four
elke Sondag braai ek vleis hier in my tuin
Every Sunday I barbecue meat here in my garden
Ja die toekoms is nou helder
Yes, the future is now clear
met my vinger op die sneller
With my finger on the trigger
jy kan kwalik sê 'n mens is trigger-happy
You can hardly say a person is trigger-happy
Ek het 'n panic button hier,
I have a panic button here,
op my geweer is 'n visier
On my gun there is a sight
ons is gereed as jy kom lol hier in die nag
We are ready if you come to mess around here at night
daar is 'n gaatjie in my deur
There is a hole in my door
om flink en vinnig te bespeur
To quickly and keenly detect
wie op die drumpel aan die buitekant dalk wag
Who might be waiting on the doorstep outside
Ons word gereeld gepatroleer
We are regularly patrolled
want die buurtwag het geleer:
Because the neighborhood watch has learned:
'n grendel is eenvoudig nie genoeg nie
A lock is simply not enough
Hulle sê: be safe, be wise,
They say: be safe, be wise,
lock your car, immobilise
Lock your car, immobilize it
as jy nie môreoggend dalk wil werk toe stap nie!
If you don't want to walk to work tomorrow morning!
(koor)
(chorus)
Contributed by Leo I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.