SONG INFO

Performed and programmed by Björk

"It means "All th… Read Full Bio ↴SONG INFO

Performed and programmed by Björk

"It means "All the brightness". Because a lot of this album is a touch to when I was 18, on that farm, writing my first all-vocal songs - this is a step to how I would do those songs. At that point I was so shy, I wouldnt even sing in a language, I sortof had my own gibberish language. So a lot of foreigners probably think it's Icelandic, but it's not true, it's gibberish. It says "all the brightness" and me trying to break through a wall for the light to shne in - that sortof deep poetic stuff, hehe." (Björk, XFM 25aug04)

Öll Birtan
Björk Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hal, hal, hal, hal, hal
(Tu, tu)
Hal, hal

(Tu, tu)
Hal, hal
(Tu, tu)

Euk birtan beleu stan moosep
Benlae dan pine liddae tiddie flaybu in
Euk grave euks stan

Hal
(Tu, tu)
Hal
(Tu, tu)

Hal
(Tu, tu)
Ha
(Tu, tu)

Euk birtan
Se longa till I flaybu in, fan
(Euk ma firr der, ahh)

Hal
(Tu, tu)
Hal
(Tu, tu)

Hal
(Tu, tu)
Hal
(Tu, tu)

Smeurgroff fimgu grreeveu cleveuk
Grreeve nevodic cuvok, clan
Ve vantic o piv viv

So oski Birtann
(Ah)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Björk's "Oll Birtan" are a mixture of Icelandic and made-up words, contributing to the otherworldly sound of the song. The repetitive "hal, hal" could be interpreted as a chant or call to a mystical force. The lyrics go on to describe a journey towards a bright light, possibly representing transcendence or enlightenment.

The use of nonsensical or invented words is a hallmark of Björk's music, and "Oll Birtan" is no exception. The lyrics offer a glimpse into a mythical world of the singer's creation, where words and sounds have their own meaning.

The song's mysterious lyrics are supported by Björk's distinctive vocals and the music's electronic beats and ambient sounds. The song's repetitive structure and minimalism give it a hypnotic quality, adding to the otherworldly atmosphere.

Line by Line Meaning

Hal, hal, hal, hal, hal (Tu, tu) Hal, hal (Tu, tu) Hal, hal (Tu, tu)
The repetition of 'Hal' and 'Tu' represents the sound of electronic beeps or machinery. It sets the futuristic tone of the song.

Euk birtan beleu stan moosep
This line is gibberish and seems to be a made-up language. It could symbolize the importance of communication in a way that transcends language barriers.

Benlae dan pine liddae tiddie flaybu in
Another gibberish line, but it follows the same rhyme pattern as the previous line. It could represent the beauty of sounds in the absence of meaning.

Euk grave euks stan
This line is also in a made-up language. It could represent the idea of finding comfort in things that we don't fully understand.

Euk birtan Se longa till I flaybu in, fan (Euk ma firr der, ahh)
The repetition of 'Euk birtan' could mean that the made-up language is a recurring theme. The line 'Se longa till I flaybu in' could mean that the artist is waiting for a chance to immerse themselves in this language or culture. The word 'fan' could be a euphoric exclamation of excitement or fascination, while 'Euk ma firr der' could mean 'I'm going there, ah.'

Smeurgroff fimgu grreeveu cleveuk
Another line in a made-up language. It has an ominous tone and could symbolize the unpredictability of the unknown.

Grreeve nevodic cuvok, clan
This line follows the same rhyme pattern as the previous one, but it's also in a made-up language. It could represent the mystery of foreign languages and the intrigue they hold.

Ve vantic o piv viv So oski Birtann (Ah)
These two lines again have no clear meaning. They could represent the idea that different cultures have different ways of understanding and interpreting their surroundings. The 'Ah' at the end could represent a sense of relief or satisfaction.

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Bjï¿½rk Gudmundsdottir

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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