He recorded his debut album, Vreemde Stad in Stellenbosch and it was first released at the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees in 2000, and later on by EMI. 'Vreemde Stad' has sold in excess of 150,000 copies to date. Subsequent releases 'Tjailatyd' and 'Seisoen', proved equally popular and established him as a star in Afrikaans music. The South African guitar player, Anton L'Amour, performed with Theuns and was responsible for all the guitar tracks in Vreemde Stad and Tjailatyd.
Theuns Jordaan's singing is characterized by his deeply emotive bass voice. His music has been said to be "faintly bluesly, radio-friendly", with his lyrics "infused with a mournful love of South Africa." His true interpretation of old Afrikaans songs and some of his original tracks, has made him a big hit with fans.
Jordaan died on 17 November 2021, after being diagnosed with leukemia in September 2020.
Discography
Vreemde stad (1999)
Tjailatyd (2002)
Seisoen (2005)
Kouevuur: Die musiek van Koos du Plessis (2009)
Roeper (2012)
Tribute to the poets (2014)
Agter Slot & Grendel (2020)
Skadu In Die Nag
Theuns Jordaan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
En die tyd gaan verby die maar toekoms stop
Voor die vensterraam lê 'n ope boek
Waarin die wind alleen na rigting soek
En die water stroom, stroom verby
Nes die kind wat droom, droom in my
En ek sit en ek staar en ek wens dat ek niemand was
Geen dag wat op my wag
Nes 'n skadu in die nag
Geen woord is waar en die taal is moeg
Selfs die waarheid onvergenoeg
Kyk die digter sleep hom moeisaam voort
want die mense dans op 'n stukkende voet
En die water stroom, stroom verby
Nes die kind wat droom, droom in my
En ek sit en ek staar en ek wens dat ek niemand was
Geen naam geen lewe geen verlede
Geen dag wat op my wag
Nes 'n skadu in die nag
Kyk die wasem loop met 'n mas daarop
En die tyd gaan verby maar die toekoms stop
Voor die vensterraam lê 'n ope boek
Waarin die wind alleen na rigting soek
En die water stroom verby
Nes die kind wat droom in my
En ek sit en ek staar en ek wens dat ek niemand was
Geen naam geen lewe geen verlede
Geen dag wat op my wag
Nes 'n skadu in die nag
'n Skadu in die nag
Nes 'n skadu in die nag
Theuns Jordaan's song Skadu In Die Nag (Shadow in the Night) is a melancholic ballad that conveys a sense of existential longing and despair. The lyrics describe an atmosphere of quiet solitude and introspection, where the singer is facing a void in their life and a sense of disconnection from the world around them. The opening lines set the scene with the imagery of mist rising and time passing by, while the future seems uncertain and unreachable. The image of an open book, with the wind blowing the pages, suggests that life's direction is out of the singer's control, and that they are lost in their own thoughts.
The chorus repeats the metaphor of water flowing by, like the singer's dreams slipping away. There is a sense of resignation and hopelessness, as they wish they were no one in particular, with no past, no future, and no expectations. The second verse adds a layer of social commentary, with the image of a limping poet, unable to keep up with a world that dances to a broken rhythm. This line suggests a criticism of modern society and its superficial values, which the singer cannot relate to. The final repetition of the chorus reinforces the theme of alienation and lack of purpose, expressed through the metaphor of a shadow lurking in the night.
Line by Line Meaning
Kyk die wasem loop met 'n mas daarop
The mist drifts by with a mask upon it
En die tyd gaan verby die maar toekoms stop
Time passes by but the future feels stagnant
Voor die vensterraam lê 'n ope boek
An open book lies before the window
Waarin die wind alleen na rigting soek
Where the wind only seeks direction
En die water stroom, stroom verby
The water flows, flows on
Nes die kind wat droom, droom in my
Like the child who dreams, dreams in me
En ek sit en ek staar en ek wens dat ek niemand was
And I sit and I stare, wishing that I was no one
Geen naam geen lewe geen verlede
No name, no life, no past
Geen dag wat op my wag
No day waiting for me
Nes 'n skadu in die nag
Like a shadow in the night
Geen woord is waar en die taal is moeg
No word is true and the language is tired
Selfs die waarheid onvergenoeg
Even the truth is unsatisfactory
Kyk die digter sleep hom moeisaam voort
Watch the poet drag himself forward laboriously
want die mense dans op 'n stukkende voet
For the people dance on a broken foot
Nes 'n skadu in die nag
Like a shadow in the night
Kyk die wasem loop met 'n mas daarop
The mist drifts by with a mask upon it
En die tyd gaan verby maar die toekoms stop
Time passes by but the future feels stagnant
Voor die vensterraam lê 'n ope boek
An open book lies before the window
Waarin die wind alleen na rigting soek
Where the wind only seeks direction
En die water stroom verby
The water flows by
Nes die kind wat droom in my
Like the child who dreams in me
En ek sit en ek staar en ek wens dat ek niemand was
And I sit and I stare, wishing that I was no one
Geen naam geen lewe geen verlede
No name, no life, no past
Geen dag wat op my wag
No day waiting for me
Nes 'n skadu in die nag
Like a shadow in the night
'n Skadu in die nag
A shadow in the night
Nes 'n skadu in die nag
Like a shadow in the night
Contributed by Claire C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Rebecca Birbal
on By Jou
I am from a little island in the West Indies call Trinidad. I first heard Theun sing By jóu this year 2024 and I love it.I decided to do some research ny to find out that he has passed we have lost a great soul. May he rest in peace. My condolence to his love ones.
Christine Sanderson
on Hillbrow
Beautiful hearfelt song. I just saw on the internet that theuns father died and also his childhood home burnt down. I am deeply saddened. Can i have more recent news please and is theuns sister linda around now. I shall like to contribute towards a fund if theuns home is going to be rebuilt in his memory for all the joy this good mans singing gave us and which i still enjoy. I am in canada. See my facebook
jaco
on Beautiful In Beaufort Wes
The lyrics tell a story of a past love in Beaufort-Wes. The singer reminisces on the times they spent together, kissing in graveyards, on trains and on the backseat of a Ford Fairlane. The singer's former lover is now married and works as a computer analyst. She wrote to him recently about how unhappy she is, how she can't sleep nor smile anymore. She is struggling with her mental health, having attempted suicide the previous winter.
The lyrics capture a sense of nostalgia, regret and loss. The singer recalls his lover's beauty and the intimacy they shared, but he also recognizes the pain and heartache that came with their relationship. He remembers the sleepless nights and the longing for a love that is gone forever.
The song is a lament for a past love that can never be recovered. It speaks to the powerful emotions that arise from a relationship that has ended, and the pain of finding oneself alone.
Facts about the song:
Lekwe Leshaba
on Roeper Van My Hart
gunsteling
Reneé
on By Jou
Was by Emperors Saterdag middag, was awesome soos altyd.
Reneé
on Ek Wil Weet
Eks sal altyd mal wees oor jou. Mal oor jou shows en stem.
Leon Fourie
on Straattroebadoere
teuns jy bly maar die koning van diep hartgevoelde afrikaans