Anneli van Rooyen is a well known Afrikaans singer in South Africa, with an… Read Full Bio ↴Anneli van Rooyen is a well known Afrikaans singer in South Africa, with an enormous amount of Afrikaans hits behind her, she is seen as an Icon in the South African music industry, and respected as a vocalist everywhere she goes.

She's been in the Afrikaans music industry for more than 20 years now and was involved with the development of talent in the South African music landscape ever since. Over the years she toured South Africa quite extensively and has a dedicated following.

Famous hits are "Neem my op Vlerke" and "Ek lewe"

Icarus
Anneli Van Rooyen Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Berge gemaak vir mis en sneeu en kranse
vir die wild se wilde danse
en vir klim

Bome gemaak vir stamme en vir blare
Vir geduld en as 'n hawe
vir 'n kind so ver daarbo

Icarus, te naby aan die son
Jy het gedink jy kon
en verloor jou trotse vlerke

Icarus, al volmaak en stom
moet ek en jy van onder af op ander vleuels
eindelik tot bo kom

Wolke gemaak vir reën en hoop en skadu
vir koelte wat niks praat nie
net om op te kyk

Sterre gemaak vir maan en vir planete
vir lig en vir komete
in die nag so ver daarbo

Icarus, te naby aan die son
Jy het gedink jy kon
en verloor jou trotse vlerke

Icarus, al volmaak en stom
moet ek en jy van onder af op ander vleuels
eindelik tot bo

Icarus, te naby aan die son
ons het gedink ons kon
en smelt ons trotse vlerke

Icarus, op die heup geslaan en krom

moet ek en jy van onder af op ander vleuels
eindelik tuis kom

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Anneli Van Rooyen's song Icarus provide a metaphorical portrayal of human aspirations, achievements, and failures. The song starts with a description of nature's elements - mountains, trees, clouds, and stars - that are made for specific purposes like providing shelter or beauty. In the chorus, the mythical figure of Icarus is introduced, who flew too close to the sun, melted his wings, and fell from the sky. The metaphor of Icarus is used to depict the human tendency to overreach and become too ambitious, leading to a loss of pride and identity. The song suggests that we need to appreciate our limitations and seek help from others to achieve greater heights.

The metaphorical elements in the song are intriguing because they are not obvious and require deep thought to decode. The mountains and trees represent the strong foundations and growth that humans need to have to become successful in life, while clouds and stars signify the beauty and magic that one can create through their achievements. The mention of Icarus in the song is particularly fascinating because it is not limited to the central character but also extends to the listeners, who are reminded of their own limitations and the need for resilience in the face of adversity. The song is a poignant reminder of the human spirit that strives for greatness but needs to be guided by humility and caution.

Line by Line Meaning

Berge gemaak vir mis en sneeu en kranse vir die wild se wilde danse en vir klim
Mountains made for mist, snow, and cliffs For the wild's wild dances And for climbing

Bome gemaak vir stamme en vir blare Vir geduld en as 'n hawe vir 'n kind so ver daarbo
Trees made for trunks and for leaves For patience and as a haven For a child so far away

Icarus, te naby aan die son Jy het gedink jy kon en verloor jou trotse vlerke
Icarus, too close to the sun You thought you could And lost your proud wings

Icarus, al volmaak en stom moet ek en jy van onder af op ander vleuels eindelik tot bo kom
Icarus, already complete and foolish I and you must on other wings from below finally reach the top

Wolke gemaak vir reën en hoop en skadu vir koelte wat niks praat nie net om op te kyk
Clouds made for rain, hope, and shade For coolness that says nothing Just to look up

Sterre gemaak vir maan en vir planete vir lig en vir komete in die nag so ver daarbo
Stars made for the moon and for planets For light and for comets In the night so far away

Icarus, te naby aan die son Jy het gedink jy kon en verloor jou trotse vlerke
Icarus, too close to the sun You thought you could And lost your proud wings

Icarus, al volmaak en stom moet ek en jy van onder af op ander vleuels eindelik tot bo
Icarus, already complete and foolish I and you must on other wings from below finally reach the top

Icarus, te naby aan die son ons het gedink ons kon en smelt ons trotse vlerke
Icarus, too close to the sun We thought we could And melted our proud wings

Icarus, op die heup geslaan en krom moet ek en jy van onder af op ander vleuels eindelik tuis kom
Icarus, struck and bent on the hip I and you must on other wings from below finally come home

Contributed by Charlotte D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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