Oceania
Bjork Lyrics
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Your nimble feet make prints in my sands
You have done good for yourselves
Since you left my wet embrace and crawled ashore
Every boy, is a snake is a lily
Every pearl is a lynx, is a girl
Sweet like harmony made into flesh
You dance by my side
Children sublime
You show me continents
I see the islands
You count the centuries, I blink my eyes
Hawks and sparrows race in my waters
Stingrays are floating across the sky
Little ones, my sons and my daughters
Your sweat is salty
I am why
I am why
I am why
Your sweat is salty
I am why
I am why
I am why
The lyrics of Björk’s song Oceania are open to interpretation, but some of the themes it touches on include the relationship between humanity and nature, the fleeting nature of time, and our interconnectedness with the world around us. The first verse describes the close relationship between humans and the ocean, which has nurtured and sustained us since the dawn of time. The second verse is more metaphorical, describing how everything in the world is interconnected and how every living thing is both beautiful and dangerous. The final verses bring the focus back to the ocean and highlight the salty sweat of the humans who depend on it, in turn underscoring the importance of nature to us.
The lyrics also seem to suggest that the ocean is a powerful and mystical force, with its boundless expanses and deep mysteries beyond our understanding. The elements of water and time are central themes in the song, with Björk drawing parallels between the ebb and flow of ocean currents and the passage of time. The song’s chorus, which repeatedly proclaims “Your sweat is salty, I am why,” conveys a sense of reverence for the ocean’s power and the way it sustains humanity.
Line by Line Meaning
One breath away from mother Oceanðòa
You are so close to the ocean, it feels like your breath is one with it.
Your nimble feet make prints in my sands
As you walk on my shores, you leave behind imprints of your quick and agile steps.
You have done good for yourselves
Since becoming land-dwellers, you have accomplished great things.
Since you left my wet embrace and crawled ashore
You have left the comfort and safety of my ocean and ventured onto land.
Every boy, is a snake is a lily
Boys can be both cunning and beautiful, like snakes and lilies.
Every pearl is a lynx, is a girl
Pearls can be fierce and independent, like lynxes and girls.
Sweet like harmony made into flesh
There is a beautiful and harmonious balance between all living things.
You dance by my side
As you explore the world, you are constantly accompanied by the enduring presence of the ocean.
Children sublime
The children of the earth are pure and full of wonder.
You show me continents
As you traverse the globe, you reveal new parts of the world to me.
I see the islands
I am constantly aware of the isolated pockets of life that exist within my vastness.
You count the centuries, I blink my eyes
As you measure the passage of time with great precision, I observe the centuries passing by in the blink of an eye.
Hawks and sparrows race in my waters
The predators and prey of the sky engage in their own battles within the depths of my ocean.
Stingrays are floating across the sky
The creatures of the sea are so magnificent, they seem to be able to transcend their own natural habitat.
Little ones, my sons and my daughters
All the creatures of the ocean, big and small, are my children.
Your sweat is salty
As you toil and work on land, you exude a salty sweat that reminds you of your deep connection to the ocean.
I am why
It is because of me, the ocean, that you exist in the form you do.
I am why
It is because of my vastness and ever-present influence that all life on earth is sustained.
I am why
I am the foundation upon which all forms of life have been built.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: SIRGURJON BIRGIR SIGURDSSON, BJORK GUDMUNDSDOTTIR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@EmileMinnie
One breath away
From Mother Oceania
Your nimble feet make prints
In my sand
You have done
Good for yourselves
Since you left my wet embrace
And crawled ashore
Every boy is a snake is a lily
Every pearl is a lynx is a girl
Sweet like harmony
Made into flesh
You dance by my side
Children sublime
You show me continents
I see the islands
You count the centuries
I blink my eyes
Hawks and sparrows
Race in my waters
Stingrays are floating
Across the sky
Little ones
My sons and my daughters
Your sweat is salty, I am why
I am why
I am why
Your sweat is salty, I am why
I am why
I am why
@NataliDali
Oceania – lyrics ✿ ( • Björk ) :
One breath away from mother Oceania,
Your nimble feet make prints in my sands.
You have done good for yourselves
Since you left my wet embrace
And crawled ashore.
Every boy is a snake, is a lily.
Every pearl is a lynx, is a girl.
Sweet like harmony made into flesh, ah,
You dance by my side,
Children sublime.
You show me continents –
I see the islands.
You count the centuries –
I blink my eyes.
Hawks and sparrows race in my waters.
Stingrays are floating across the sky.
Little ones, my sons and my daughters, ah,
Your sweat is salty.
I am why?
I am why?
I am why?
Your sweat is salty.
I am why?
I am why?
I am why?
@mrjoshuads
The fact that this song was done with all human voices is spectacular!
@jodyfinley9122
Bjork is a absolutel GODDESS
@rosanasilva8409
Medulla is all done with humam voice, one of her best albums
@W1NDUR
I literally didnt even realize that before i saw your comment at the end, holymoly
@paulinho8752
@@CoastChefAll of Medúlla was done using only human voice!
@hm3051
it’s actually amazing how far ahead Björk is with every direction she takes in her music
@sennstrato7281
https://youtu.be/R4LkyQVtVrI
@Stand-Alone-Complex
Not that I disagree but this song is from 12 years ago. Lol
@xalifasteh
@Stand Alone Complex 17 years*
@magicolmos
@Stand Alone Complex that's how far ahead she is, even 17 years later its still ahead of it's time