Johannes Kerkorrel was born as Ralph Rabie in 1960. He was a South African … Read Full Bio ↴Johannes Kerkorrel was born as Ralph Rabie in 1960. He was a South African journalist and later a singer who publicly attacked the Apartheid system in his country.

In 1987, Johannes Kerkorrel was fired by Rapport newspaper for using quotes from PW Botha's speeches in his music; he then became a full-time musician and performer under the name Johannes Kerkorrel en die Gereformeerde Blues Band (Johannes Kerkorrel and the Reformed Blues Band), a deliberate reference to the Reformed Church. The band also included the Afrikaans singer-songwriter Koos Kombuis. Their brand of new Afrikaans music was dubbed 'Alternatiewe Afrikaans' (alternative Afrikaans) and exposed divergent political views to a new generation of Afrikaners.

Kerkorrel was the only white singer who performed at the inauguration of South Africa's first democratically elected president, Nelson Mandela.

He pased away on 11 December 2002. The South African singer songwriter Valiant Swart wrote the song "Sonvanger" dedicated to the artist with Kerkorrel's mother Anne in mind, longing for her lost son.

Kerkorrel was popular in his own country as well as in Belgium.

--Discography--
Eet Kreef! (1989)
Bloudruk (1992)
Cyanide in the Beefcake (1994)
Ge-trans-for-meer (1996)
Tien Jaar Later (1998)
Sing Koos du Plessis (1999)
Die Ander Kant (2000)
Voëlvry Die Toer (2002)
Kerkorrel – Best Of: Pêrels Voor Die Swyne (2003)
Hoe Ek Voel (2012) – issued to commemorate the 10 year anniversary of Rabie's death

After Rabie's death, several artists recorded tribute songs to his life and work. An incomplete list follows:

Stef Bos – Pelgrimsrus
Riku Lätti – Ysbeer
Amanda Strydom – Ek Het Gedroom
Karen Zoid – Foto Teen Die Muur
Jak De Priester – Kerkorrel
Kristoe Strauss – Sit Dit Self Af
Jan Blohm – Johnny K
Valiant Swart - Sonvanger
Valiant Swart en Koos Kombuis – Kleinmond Koebaai
Koos Kombuis - Johnny is nie dood nie

Somer
Johannes Kerkorrel Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hier kom die somer, die son
Hier kom die somer, die son
Dae soos heuning
Warm en lou

Branders rol in by die see
Branders rol uit by die see
En hoog in die lug dryf die meeue rond

Ons kan gaan sit by die karrousel
Onder 'n sambreel al die skepe tel
Later gaan ons ver oor die wit sand loop
En kyk as die son sak in die blou see, o

Stadig die somer
Stadig die somer
En hoog in die lug dryf die wolke rond

Hier kom die somer, die son
Hier kom die somer, die son
Dae soos heuning
Warm en lou

Branders rol in by die see
Branders rol uit by die see
En hoog in die lug dryf die meeue rond

Ons kan vir ons dalk 'n eiland koop
Niemand sal weet ons het weggeloop
Later gaan ons ver oor die wit sand loop
En kyk as die son sak in die blou see, oh

Stadig die somer

Stadig die somer
En hoog in die lug dryf die wolke rond

Overall Meaning

Johannes Kerkorrel's song "Somer" captures the joy and slow pace of summer in South Africa. The song opens with the lyrics "Hier kom die somer, die son" (Here comes the summer, the sun). The days are described as sweet as honey, warm, and lazy. The imagery of the sea and the seagulls in flight is used to paint a picture of the coast in summer. The chorus repeats the opening lines, emphasizing the arrival of the summer season.

The singer of the song goes on to describe various activities that are typical of a summer day, such as sitting at a carousel and watching the ships, walking on the white sand, and admiring the sunset. The mood is relaxed and carefree, as if time were slowing down for the summer months. However, the lyrics also convey a desire for escape, as the singer imagines buying an island and running away from everything.

Overall, "Somer" captures the essence of a South African summer: the warmth, the beauty of the coast, and the laid-back atmosphere that comes with the season. The lyrics are simple yet effective in conveying this mood.

Line by Line Meaning

Hier kom die somer, die son
Summer is arriving with the sun shining bright

Dae soos heuning
Days are like honey, sweet and sticky

Warm en lou
Hot and lazy

Branders rol in by die see
Waves are rolling in at the sea

Branders rol uit by die see
Waves are rolling out at the sea

En hoog in die lug dryf die meeue rond
Seagulls are flying high in the sky

Ons kan gaan sit by die karrousel
We can go sit by the carousel

Onder 'n sambreel al die skepe tel
Counting all the ships under an umbrella

Later gaan ons ver oor die wit sand loop
Later we'll walk far over the white sand

En kyk as die son sak in die blou see, o
And watch the sun set in the blue sea, oh

Stadig die somer
Slowly, the summer