Agnes Obel was born Agnes Caroline Thaarup Obel in 1981. Living in Copenhagen, and coming from a musician family, Agnes Obel learned piano at a very young age. Her mother used to play Bartók and Chopin at the piano. During her childhood, Agnes Obel found inspiration in Jan Johansson's work. Johansson's songs, European folk tunes done in a jazzy style, have influenced the young musician a lot.
She attended high school at Det frie Gymnasium and university at Roskilde University.
At the age of seven, Agnes Obel worked in a little band where she used to sing and play bass guitar. The group appeared in a festival and even recorded some titles.
Later, and with the help of Danish musician and producer Elton Theander, Obel founded the Copenhagen based band Sohio. After few years of collaboration, Obel debuted as a solo singer with her first album Philharmonics (2010).
Agnes Obel writes, plays, sings, records and produces all her material herself.
She is influenced by artists such as Roy Orbison, Joni Mitchell, PJ Harvey and also by the French composers Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel and Eric Satie.
Obel lives in Berlin.
Website: http://agnesobel.com
Trojan Horses
Agnes Obel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
See-through to the marrow when they pass
See through the keyhole, a fate is cast
Deep in the mirror smiling back
In shapes like these, they run softly
Trojan horses, Trojan horses
Gardens grow in my eyes
Oh why do they?
Gardens grow in my eyes
Oh why do they?
Seek what I seek in a blinding flash
These bare bones are made of glass
In shapes like these, they run softly
Trojan horses with all the children
I tell myself I wanna hide
I tell myself I wanna be lied to
Silent reader of my mind, do you know what I will ask of you?
Tell me if you wanna hide,
Tell me if you wanna be lied to
The lyrics of Agnes Obel's song "Trojan Horses" explore themes of vulnerability, self-reflection, and the hidden intentions and emotions within oneself. The opening lines, "These bare bones are made of glass, see-through to the marrow when they pass," suggest that the singer's inner self is fragile, transparent, and easily seen by others. The metaphor of "see through the keyhole" indicates that the singer's fate is determined by external forces, just like a key unlocking a door.
As the song progresses, the lyrics describe the presence of "Trojan horses," referring to hidden intentions or emotions. The horses symbolize the internal struggles that go unnoticed by others. The line "Gardens grow in my eyes, oh why do they?" can be interpreted as the growth of emotions or desires within the singer, which they question and ponder upon.
The repeated phrase "In shapes like these, they run softly" emphasizes the secretive nature of these internal conflicts, suggesting that they are not easily recognized or understood by others. The phrase "Trojan horses with all the children" implies that these hidden emotions are present in everyone, regardless of age or innocence.
The second half of the song introduces a conversation with oneself. The singer expresses the desire to hide and be lied to, possibly as a means to escape the vulnerability and emotional turmoil within. They also direct their thoughts to a "silent reader of my mind," suggesting a longing for understanding from others, asking if they know what the singer will ask of them. The song ends with a plea for honesty, asking the reader if they also desire to hide and be lied to, inviting them to share in the vulnerability.
Overall, "Trojan Horses" uses poetic metaphors and introspective lyrics to explore the complex and hidden aspects of one's inner self, as well as the desire for connection and understanding from others.
Line by Line Meaning
These bare bones are made of glass
The foundations of my being are fragile and delicate
See-through to the marrow when they pass
Transparent, revealing the core of my existence
See through the keyhole, a fate is cast
Gaining insight into my future, a destiny is determined
Deep in the mirror smiling back
A reflection of myself, concealed emotions hidden within
In shapes like these, they run softly
These fragile forms move silently, subtly
Trojan horses, Trojan horses
Deceptive entities, masking their true intentions
Gardens grow in my eyes
Lush beauty and vibrant life project from within me
Oh why do they?
Questioning the origin and purpose of these internal gardens
Seek what I seek in a blinding flash
Desiring something intensely, with an overwhelming revelation
These bare bones are made of glass
Emphasizing again the fragility of my core self
In shapes like these, they run softly
Reiterating the subtle movement of these delicate forms
Trojan horses with all the children
The deceptive entities targeting the innocent and vulnerable
I tell myself I wanna hide
Admitting the desire to conceal and retreat from the world
I tell myself I wanna be lied to
Preferring comforting, false narratives over harsh realities
Silent reader of my mind, do you know what I will ask of you?
Addressing an internal voice, pondering if it understands my deepest desires
Tell me if you wanna hide
Questioning if the internal voice also desires to seek refuge
Tell me if you wanna be lied to
Inquiring if the internal voice prefers comforting illusions
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AGNES CAROLINE THAARUP OBEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Oliwia Michalak
These bare bones are made of glass
See-through to the marrow when they pass
Seek through the keyhole, a fate is cast
Deep in the mirror smiling back
In shapes like these, they run softly
Trojan horses, Trojan horses
Gardens grow in my eyes,
Oh why do they?
Gardens grow in my eyes
Oh why do they?
Seek what I seek in a blinding flash
These bare bones are made of glass
In shapes like these, they run softly
Trojan horses with all the children
I tell myself I wanna hide
I tell myself I wanna be lied to
Silent reader of my mind, do you know what i will ask of you?
Tell me if you wanna hide,
Tell me if you wanna be lied to
Vesion
Here are the lyrics:
These bare bones are made of glass
See-through to the marrow as they pass
Seek through the keyhole, a fate is cast
Deep in the mirror smiling back
In shapes like these, they run softly
Trojan horses, Trojan horses
Gardens grow in my eyes
Oh why do they?
Gardens grow in my eyes
Oh why do they?
Seek what I seek in a blinding flash
These bare bones are made of glass
In shapes like these, they run softly
Trojan horses with all the children
I tell myself I wanna hide
I tell myself I wanna be lied to
Silent reader of my mind, do you know what i will ask of you?
Tell me if you wanna hide
Tell me if you wanna be lied to
Alex
These bare bones are made of glass
See-through to the marrow when they pass
See through the keyhole, a fate is cast
Deep in the mirror smiling back
In shapes like these, they run softly
Trojan horses, Trojan horses
Gardens grow in my eyes
Oh why do they?
Gardens grow in my eyes
Oh why do they?
Seek what I seek in a blinding flash
These bare bones are made of glass
In shapes like these, they run softly
Trojan horses with all the children
I tell myself I wanna hide
I tell myself I wanna be lied to
Silent reader of my mind, do you know what I will ask of you?
Tell me if you wanna hide,
Tell me if you wanna be lied to
Traducir al español
CamV
These bare bones are made of glass
See-through to the marrow when they pass
Seek through the keyhole, a fate is cast
Deep in the mirror smiling back
In shapes like these, they run softly
Trojan horses, Trojan horses
Gardens grow in my eyes
Oh why do they?
Gardens grow in my eyes
Oh why do they?
Seek what I seek in a blinding flash
These bare bones are made of glass
In shapes like these, they run softly
Trojan horses with all the children
I tell myself I wanna hide
I tell myself I wanna be lied to
Silent reader of my mind, do you know what i will ask of you?
Tell me if you wanna hide
Tell me if you wanna be lied to
paloma ss
So ethereal, magical and beautiful. Sounds like a song made by angels.
Mido Vinot
Agree
Mae Baya
Sounds like something that should be in an animated horror movie....like Coraline
Cinemage
Portrait of a Lady on Fire vibes, indeed
Pelle
Absolutely stunning piece of music, packed with hooks and surprises. My favorite Obel so far. I like that she doesn't adjust her style from album to album, but can still make great tunes. Nicely done, Agnes.
Yevgeniya Leshchenko
But.... She does experiment with her style though))) Which is good, don't get me wrong ...
cynstark
The kind of music you hear and feel like you're in a medieval world.
Forevermore
Exactly!!
Breno Leonardo
Eu não esperava ver tantos brasileiros nas músicas dela, mds. Que coisa linda.
Jess Neves
Nem eu kkk