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.
Vir Jou
Coenie De Villiers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'n Huis met 'n leiklipvloer
'n Witgekalkte skoorsteen
Wat deur die rietdak loer
'n Okkerneuthout-onderdeur
Wat kreun aan die skarnier
'n Donskombers om in te beur
'n Kaggel en 'n vuur
Die dae is droef soos druiwe
Jou naam is soet soos mos
Die herfs is in die wingerd
Die son in elke tros
Want die winters hier is wondbaar as die jaar se hitte kwyn
Die seisoen word oud en waardig
Wat mos was word nou wyn
Vir jou wil ek 'n bos hê
Waar jy dennenaalde ruik
Reën wat oor die berg kom en timmer teen die luik
En by die hek 'n bloekom met sy takke in die wind
Hier in die koper-ledekant jou warm bruinoog kind
Want die dae is droef soos druiwe
Jou naam is soet soos mos
Die herfs is in die wingerd
En die son in elke tros
Want die winters hier is wondbaar as die jaar se hitte kwyn
Die seisoen word oud en waardig
Wat mos was word nou wyn
Al maak ek hierdie versie eenvoudig, lief, soos nou
Die wens bly tog maar net 'n wens, die werklikheid verbrou
Die wens bly tog maar net 'n wens, die werklikheid verbrou
Want die dae is droef soos druiwe
Jou naam is soet soos mos
Die herfs is in die wingerd
En die son in elke tros
Want die winters hier is wondbaar as die jaar se hitte kwyn
Die seisoen word oud en waardig
Wat mos was word nou wyn
The South African song, "Vir Jou" by Coenie De Villiers, is a melancholic ode to a lost love. The song speaks of the singer's desire to have a house for his love that is simple but beautiful with a limestone floor, whitewashed chimney, an underdoor made of pecan wood, a fireplace, and warm blankets to snuggle into. The repetition of the phrase "vir jou," which translates to "for you" in English, emphasizes the exclusivity and intimacy of the singer's love for the person he is addressing.
The lyrics also contain beautiful poetic imagery of autumn in the vineyards, with the sweet sun shining on every bunch of grapes, and winter being vulnerable as the heat of the year fades. The singer sings of his longing to be with his love and have a pine forest where he can enjoy the smell of pine needles, listen to the rain falling on the roof, and the wind blowing through the branches of a silver oak by the gate. But even with all these beautiful things, the reality of the situation is that it is just a wish, and his love is still gone.
Overall, the song is a beautiful, nostalgic, and intimate portrayal of love and longing.
Line by Line Meaning
Vir jou wil ek 'n huis hê
I want a house for you
'n Huis met 'n leiklipvloer
A house with a slate floor
'n Witgekalkte skoorsteen
A white-washed chimney
Wat deur die rietdak loer
Peeking through the thatched roof
'n Okkerneuthout-onderdeur
A yellowwood door frame
Wat kreun aan die skarnier
Creaking on its hinges
'n Donskombers om in te beur
A down comforter to snuggle in
'n Kaggel en 'n vuur
A fireplace and a fire
Die dae is droef soos druiwe
The days are sad like grapes
Jou naam is soet soos mos
Your name is sweet like moss
Die herfs is in die wingerd
Autumn is in the vineyard
Die son in elke tros
The sun in every bunch
Want die winters hier is wondbaar as die jaar se hitte kwyn
Because the winters here are vulnerable as the year's heat fades
Die seisoen word oud en waardig
The season becomes old and dignified
Wat mos was word nou wyn
What was musty now turns to wine
Vir jou wil ek 'n bos hê
I want a forest for you
Waar jy dennenaalde ruik
Where you can smell pine needles
Reën wat oor die berg kom en timmer teen die luik
Rain pounding against the shutter as it comes over the mountain
En by die hek 'n bloekom met sy takke in die wind
And by the gate, a oak tree with its branches in the wind
Hier in die koper-ledekant jou warm bruinoog kind
Here in the copper four-post bed, your warm brown-eyed child
Al maak ek hierdie versie eenvoudig, lief, soos nou
Although I make this version simple, sweet, like now
Die wens bly tog maar net 'n wens, die werklikheid verbrou
The wish remains nothing more than a wish, reality is distorted
Die dae is droef soos druiwe
The days are sad like grapes
Jou naam is soet soos mos
Your name is sweet like moss
Die herfs is in die wingerd
Autumn is in the vineyard
En die son in elke tros
And the sun in every bunch
Want die winters hier is wondbaar as die jaar se hitte kwyn
Because the winters here are vulnerable as the year's heat fades
Die seisoen word oud en waardig
The season becomes old and dignified
Wat mos was word nou wyn
What was musty now turns to wine
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: DE VILLERS COEWIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind