Saltvannsfolket
Bjørn Eidsvåg Lyrics


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Bjørn Eidsvåg - Saltvannsfolket

Eg komme fra saltvannsfolket
folket med sydvest og årer
aldri redde for arbeid og slit
men grine på ord og tårer
sjøen va vel salt nok som han va
og ingen har vel nåken gång
blitt mett av ting ein sa

Landskapet e somme tider
fagert, blidt og mildt
før det reise seg i bratte lier
og blir uframkommelig vilt

Eg komme fra steindyrkar folket
vokst opp i jordsmonn tynt som hud
det gjødsla med spytt og svette
og frykta både djevelsen og Gud
ein sikra seg aller best ein kunne
for ein visste ikkje om veret kom frå Gud
eller den vonde

Det e her eg kome frå
nå e eg bare gjest




men eg kjenne når eg e der
eg hørre te der vest

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Bjørn Eidsvåg's song "Saltvannsfolket" paint a picture of a proud and hardworking people who come from a coastal region. The singer identifies themselves as part of this "saltwater people," a community characterized by their traditional yellow raincoats and oars, and their fearlessness in tackling hard labor while also being vulnerable to words and tears. The saltiness of the sea serves as a metaphor for the tough and resilient nature of the people, who have never been satiated by mere words alone.


The song also describes the landscape of the region, which can be beautiful, gentle, and mild at times, but can also transform into steep and impossible terrain. This captures the duality of life and nature, where moments of tranquility and beauty can suddenly give way to challenges and obstacles.


The second verse continues to delve into the singer's background, referring to the people as "steindyrkar folket" or "stone adorers," indicating a connection to the land and a deep reverence for the earth. They have grown up in soil as thin as skin, which they nurtured with their own saliva and sweat. In this harsh environment, they both feared and respected both the devil and God, doing their best to secure their livelihoods and unable to discern whether the weather patterns were a gift from God or from the evil one.


In the final lines, the singer acknowledges that they no longer reside in this place but are now merely a guest. However, they can still feel a strong connection when they are there, as if they belong and are drawn to the western shores.


Overall, "Saltvannsfolket" celebrates the resilience, hard work, and strong connection to both land and sea of the coastal people, while also acknowledging the challenges and vulnerabilities they face.


Line by Line Meaning

Eg komme fra saltvannsfolket
I come from the sea people


folket med sydvest og årer
the people with raincoats and oars


aldri redde for arbeid og slit
never afraid of work and hardship


men grine på ord og tårer
but crying over words and tears


sjøen va vel salt nok som han va
the sea was salty enough as it was


og ingen har vel nåken gång
and no one has ever


blitt mett av ting ein sa
been satisfied with what someone said


Landskapet e somme tider
The landscape is sometimes


fagert, blidt og mildt
beautiful, gentle, and mild


før det reise seg i bratte lier
before it rises in steep slopes


og blir uframkommelig vilt
and becomes impassable wilderness


Eg komme fra steindyrkar folket
I come from the stone worshipping people


vokst opp i jordsmonn tynt som hud
grown up in soil as thin as skin


det gjødsla med spytt og svette
fertilized it with spit and sweat


og frykta både djevelsen og Gud
and feared both the devil and God


ein sikra seg aller best ein kunne
one secured oneself as best as one could


for ein visste ikkje om veret kom frå Gud
because one didn't know if the weather came from God


eller den vonde
or the evil one


Det e her eg kome frå
This is where I come from


nå e eg bare gjest
now I am just a guest


men eg kjenne når eg e der
but I can feel when I am there


eg hørre te der vest
I hear to the west




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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