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.
Tyd en Dae
Coenie De Villiers Lyrics
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die dae bly lank, die horison bly wyd,
daar is veer in elke tred
daar is buit in elke bed
en die lewe, ongerep en ongelslyt
En dan is daar die jare tussen-in
dis nie die einde nie, maar ver verby begin;
oor wat nog kom, oor wat sal wees
word dringend dan die soeke na die sin
En skielik is jy hoogstens nie meer jonk nie
en al soek jy, vind jy nimmer meer die vonk nie;
Dis nie meer geld en die vergaar daarvan wat tel nie,
dis nie die liefde of die soek daarna wat kwel nie -
Want as jy terugkyk oor die jare van jou lewe,
word die sondes van die vaders tog vergewe;
want hier vanaf die einders van die tyd
verlos van kommer en van pyn en van verwyt,
bly net die deernis oor, en dis wat jy verstaan:
dat net die deernis teen die Donker bly bestaan.
The lyrics to Coenie De Villiers's song Tyd en Dae speak of the passage of time, with the singer reflecting on the different stages of life. The first stanza acknowledges the youthful sense of invincibility, with the days stretching out ahead and a world of possibilities to be explored. However, as one enters middle age, there can be a sense of anxiety about the unknowns that lie ahead. The search for meaning and purpose becomes urgent, as the singer realizes that the accumulation of wealth or romantic love are not enough to fulfill them.
The second stanza is a reflection on aging and the inevitable loss of youth. The singer acknowledges the passing of time, and the difficulty of recapturing the same sense of passion and joy they once felt. However, as they look back over their life, they find solace in the idea that the mistakes of the past can be forgiven. The final lines speak to a sense of empathy and compassion that endures even in the darkest of times.
Overall, the song is a meditation on the fleeting nature of life and the importance of finding meaning and connection with others. It encourages listeners to embrace compassion and understanding, even in the face of great emotional pain.
Line by Line Meaning
Die jeug verblind sy eienaar teen tyd;
Youth blinds its owner against time;
die dae bly lank, die horison bly wyd,
the days are long, the horizon is wide,
daar is veer in elke tred
there's a feather in every step
daar is buit in elke bed
there's loot in every bed
en die lewe, ongerep en ongelslyt
and life, untouched and unscathed
En dan is daar die jare tussen-in
And then there are the years in between
dis nie die einde nie, maar ver verby begin;
it's not the end, but far beyond the beginning;
die impotente vrees
the impotent fear
oor wat nog kom, oor wat sal wees
about what's still to come, about what will be
word dringend dan die soeke na die sin
the search for meaning becomes urgent then
En skielik is jy hoogstens nie meer jonk nie
And suddenly you're no longer young at all
en al soek jy, vind jy nimmer meer die vonk nie;
and even if you search, you never find the spark anymore;
Dis nie meer geld en die vergaar daarvan wat tel nie,
It's no longer about money and the accumulation thereof that matters,
dis nie die liefde of die soek daarna wat kwel nie -
it's not love or the pursuit thereof that troubles anymore -
Want as jy terugkyk oor die jare van jou lewe,
Because when you look back over the years of your life,
word die sondes van die vaders tog vergewe;
the sins of the fathers are forgiven after all;
want hier vanaf die einders van die tyd
because from the ends of time here
verlos van kommer en van pyn en van verwyt,
released from worry and pain and blame,
bly net die deernis oor, en dis wat jy verstaan:
only compassion remains, and that's what you understand:
dat net die deernis teen die Donker bly bestaan.
that only compassion against the Dark remains.
Contributed by Wyatt V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.