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 Simone
Coenie De Villiers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In ‘n landskap van Chagal
Waar ‘n rustelose engel haar hare verstrengel om die son
En eendag sal jy vrede kry
‘n Blou nocturne van Monet
Sal silwer blink en baie stil vir ewig in jou vensterraam kom bly
Vergeet van gogga maak vir Pappa bang
En die wêreld word jou toughreel waar 'n kind in 'n droom nog saam kan speel
Vergeet van gogga maak vir Pappa bang
Bêre jou drome agter glas
Want dit wat is word dit wat was
Die verf word bros, die ink verbleek
En baba gaan vir Pappa los
En gogga gaan vir Pappa breek
Bêre jou drome agter glas
Want dit wat is word dit wat was
Die verf word bros, die ink verbleek
En baba gaan vir Pappa los
En gogga gaan vir Pappa breek
The lyrics of Coenie De Villiers's song "Vir Simone" talk about getting lost in a landscape reminiscent of Chagal's artwork. The reference to a restless angel intertwining her hair around the sun creates a sense of enchantment and mystery in this imaginary place. The lyrics suggest that someday, the listener will find peace and tranquility, symbolized by a blue nocturne painting by Monet that will shine silver and quietly remain in their window frame forever.
The next stanza introduces Bokan, a character associated with spicy winds, suggesting a coastal location. The lyrics invite the listener to walk along a shore without waves, where they can forget about worries and fears that might have scared their father (Pappa) in the past. This location becomes a safe haven, where the world becomes like a theater stage on which a child can still play freely in their dreams.
The chorus emphasizes the importance of preserving dreams behind a glass, as it acknowledges the transient nature of reality. What exists now will eventually become the past, and the vividness of colors and ink will fade. The lyrics express a sense of loss as the singer's child departs from their father, and the spellbinding or enchanting presence of "gogga," which could be interpreted as a metaphor for fears or insecurities, ultimately breaks for Pappa.
In conclusion, "Vir Simone" appears to convey a bittersweet acknowledgment of the fleeting nature of life and the need to cherish and protect one's dreams and moments of enchantment. It encourages the listener to find solace in imaginary lands, free from fears, and to hold on to the beauty of art and dreams, even in the face of inevitable change and loss.
Line by Line Meaning
Om ons raak hopeloos verdwaal
In this confusing world, we often lose our way
In ‘n landskap van Chagal
In a landscape resembling that of Chagal's paintings
Waar ‘n rustelose engel haar hare verstrengel om die son
Where a restless angel intertwines her hair around the sun
En eendag sal jy vrede kry
And one day you will find peace
‘n Blou nocturne van Monet
A blue nocturne reminiscent of Monet's artwork
Sal silwer blink en baie stil vir ewig in jou vensterraam kom bly
Will shimmer silver and silently stay forever in your window frame
Waar Bokan se gekruide winde waai kan jy loop langs ‘n branderlose baai
Where the spiced winds of Bokan blow, you can walk along a waveless bay
Vergeet van gogga maak vir Pappa bang
Forget about the insect that scares Daddy
En die wêreld word jou toughreel waar 'n kind in 'n droom nog saam kan speel
And the world becomes your stage where a child can still play in a dream
Vergeet van gogga maak vir Pappa bang
Forget about the insect that scares Daddy
Bêre jou drome agter glas
Keep your dreams safe behind glass
Want dit wat is word dit wat was
Because what is, becomes what was
Die verf word bros, die ink verbleek
The paint becomes brittle, the ink fades
En baba gaan vir Pappa los
And baby will leave Daddy
En gogga gaan vir Pappa breek
And the insect will break Daddy
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind