Litli Tónlistarmaðurinn
Bjork Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
mamma - ég vil koma til þín
ó mamma - gaman væri að vera stór
þá vildi ég stjórna - bæði hljómsveit og kór
Mamma - þú ert elskuleg, mamma mín
mér finnst - gott að koma til þín
ó en mamma - áðan dreymdi mig draum um þig
Þú varst drottning í hárri höll
hljómsveitin álfar, menn og tröll
lék þér og söng í senn
þú varst svo stórfengleg
Tröllin þau börðu á bumburnar
blómálfar léku á flauturnar
fiðlurnar, mennskir menn
á mandólín, ég
Mamma
Allir mændum við upp til þín
eins og blóm þegar sólin skín
er þínum faðmi frá
gjafir flugu um allt
Flestum gekk vel að gripa sitt
glaður náði ég fljótt í mitt
en stóll er steig ég á
stóð tæpt, svo hann valt
Ó mamma - þú ert elskuleg mamma mín
mér - finnst gott að koma til þín
ó mamma - gaman væri að vera stór
þá vildi ég stjórna bæði hljómsveit og kór
The song "Litli Tónlistarmaðurinn" by Björk is a touching tribute to her mother. The opening lines of the song sees Björk seeking her mother's attention, asking if she is awake and expressing her desire to see her. She then talks about how she dreams about her mother, who was once a queen in a high hall, who played and sang at the same time, and how she was magnificent. Björk's admiration for her mother is evident as she describes the various characters that played music with her mother - from the trolls who played on bumburnars, to the flower elves who played on flutes and human men on mandolins.
The chorus sees Björk and her siblings, like flowers blossoming under the sun, going up to their mother, who welcomed them with open arms. They all brought gifts, and while most of them managed to grab their gifts quickly, Björk struggled to get hers as she stood on a rickety stool. The final verse repeats the desire to see her mother again, and how she would want to control the orchestra and choir.
The song is a reflection of the love and respect Björk has for her mother, who was a music teacher herself. The song provides a glimpse into the childhood memories of the singer and her siblings, and how they were brought up around music. Björk has stated in interviews that her mother had a major influence on her music career and this song is one way of acknowledging and celebrating that.
Line by Line Meaning
Mamma - ertu vakandi mamma mín?
Asking mother if she's awake
mamma - ég vil koma til þín
Wanting to come to mother
ó mamma - gaman væri að vera stór
Expressing desire to be grown-up
þá vildi ég stjórna - bæði hljómsveit og kór
Wanting to be in control of music and choir
Mamma - þú ert elskuleg, mamma mín
Calling mother lovely
mér finnst - gott að koma til þín
Feeling good about coming to mother
ó en mamma - áðan dreymdi mig draum um þig
Had a dream about mother
en datt þá framúr - og það trufladi mig
But then it disturbed me
Þú varst drottning í hárri höll
You were a queen in a grand hall
hljómsveitin álfar, menn og tröll
The band was made up of elves, men, and trolls
lék þér og söng í senn
Playing and singing at the same time
þú varst svo stórfengleg
You were so magnificent
Tröllin þau börðu á bumburnar
Trolls beat on drums
blómálfar léku á flauturnar
Flower elves played the flutes
fiðlurnar, mennskir menn
Violins played by human men
á mandólín, ég
And me on the mandolin
Mamma
Addressing mother
Allir mændum við upp til þín
We all climbed up to you
eins og blóm þegar sólin skín
Like flowers when the sun shines
er þínum faðmi frá
In your loving embrace
gjafir flugu um allt
Gifts flew all around
Flestum gekk vel að gripa sitt
Mostly everyone got their stuff
glaður náði ég fljótt í mitt
Happy, I quickly got mine
en stóll er steig ég á
But a stool I stepped on
stóð tæpt, svo hann valt
Was unstable and it tipped over
Ó mamma - þú ert elskuleg mamma mín
Addressing mother with affection
mér - finnst gott að koma til þín
Feeling good about coming to mother
ó mamma - gaman væri að vera stór
Desiring to be grown-up
þá vildi ég stjórna bæði hljómsveit og kór
Wanting to be in control of music and choir
Contributed by Levi R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.