Luktar-Gvendur
Bjork Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Um bæinn sérhvert kvöld
Hann luktar-Gvendur á liðinni öld
Á gráum hærum gloggt var kenndur
Við glampa á ljósafjöld
Hann luktar-Gvendur á liðinni öld
Um hverja götu fram á nott
Hans hjarta sárin uti bros á brá
Ef ungan svein og yngismey
Hann aðeins sá, hann kveikti ei
En eftirlét þeim rókkur skuggablá
Í endur minning æskutið
Hann aftur leit, en ástmey blið
Hann örmum vafði fast, svo ung og smá
Hann veitti birtu á bádar hendur
Um bæinn sérhvert kvöld
Hann luktar Gvendur á liðinni öld
The lyrics to Björk's song Luktar-Gvendur describe a character named Gvendur who is known for his scent and his presence in the town. He walks slowly and quietly through the streets at night and his heart bears the scars of past loves. The song speaks of the nostalgia and melancholy that comes with memories - whether they are from a youth spent chasing after love, or from a more recent past.
The verses paint a mystic portrait of Gvendur - a solitary figure who is respected for his knowledge of the town's history and his ability to keep to himself. He is portrayed as an enigma, whose strange scent and habits set him apart from the rest of his community. The chorus, "Hann luktar-Gvendur á liðinni öld" ("He smells like Gvendur from long ago"), is repeated throughout the song almost like a mantra, a symbolic nod to how nostalgia can often be a comforting, almost intoxicating sensation.
Overall, the song seems to be an ode to the importance of memory and community, and how a sense of belonging can often be tied to physical objects - like smells - or places. It's a reminder that even though we can move through time, our memories are a constant and often cherished part of our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Hann veitti birtu á báðar hendur
He held a light in both hands
Um bæinn sérhvert kvöld
Every evening around town
Hann luktar-Gvendur á liðinni öld
He is Luktar-Gvendur of times gone by
Á gráum hærum gloggt var kenndur
His gray hair was clearly recognizable
Við glampa á ljósafjöld
By the streetlights on the mountains
Hann heyrðist ganga hægt og hljótt
He was heard walking slowly and quietly
Um hverja götu fram á nott
Around every street at night
Hans hjarta sárin uti bros á brá
His wounded heart smiled cruelly
Ef ungan svein og yngismey
If a young boy and girl
Hann aðeins sá, hann kveikti ei
He only looked, he didn't light
En eftirlét þeim rókkur skuggablá
But left them with a blue shadow of smoke
Í endur minning æskutið
In memory of youth
Hann aftur leit, en ástmey blið
He looked again, but the girl was sweet
Hann örmum vafði fast, svo ung og smá
He held her tightly, so young and small
Hann veitti birtu á báðar hendur
He held a light in both hands
Um bæinn sérhvert kvöld
Every evening around town
Hann luktar Gvendur á liðinni öld
He is Luktar-Gvendur of times gone by
Contributed by Max O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.