• Christel Alsos Monsen (b. 20.12.84), known under the artist name Christel… Read Full Bio ↴• Christel Alsos Monsen (b. 20.12.84), known under the artist name Christel Alsos, from Fauske, Nordland, Norway.
• Her first release was the single “Come on” in 2006.
• Her debut album “Closing the Distance” was released January 15th 2007 sold 30.000 copies (Platinum) in three months, making her one of the best selling artists in Norway that year.
• She has been nominated for the Norwegian Grammy Awards four times: Best music video for “Come on” in 2006, Best New Artist in 2007, Best female artist for the album “Closing the distance” in 2007 and Best female artist for the album “Tomorrow is” in 2010.
• The song “Still” (Closing the distance) was featured in the Tyler Perry movie “Why did I get married too”, featuring Janet Jackson as one of the actors in 2010.
• “When the light dies out” (Closing the distance) and “Found” (Presence) has been featured on “The Vampire Diaries” (US).

Growing up in Fauske, Christel started to sing and perform at home at an early age. – I come from a family where music is a natural part of our everyday lives. She grew up with her mom, sister and grandmother singing in choirs and her guitar loving dad.

When Christel Alsos made her debut in 2007 she was a breath of fresh air in the Norwegian music scene. The talented girl from up north managed to mesmerize the audience with her distinctive voice and melanolic melodies. Her debut album, “Closing the distance” sold to Platinum and Christel was nominated for three Grammy Awards in Norway. Her second album “Tomorrow is” followed in 2010 and gave her another Grammy nomination.
The third album “Presence” was recorded in a 300 year old house at Gotland (SE) .

Releases

Closing the Distance (2007), Sony Music/Columbia

Tomorrow is (2010), Sony Music/Columbia

Presence (2013), Sony Music/Columbia

I Den Kalde Vinter (2013), Sony Music/Columbia

I Den Kalde Vinter
Christel Alsos Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I den kalde vinter -
jorda blei som jern
Vannet blei som stein, og
vinden gråt i trær.
Og det snødde, snødde meir
snør uendelig
I den kalde vinter
i ei anna tid.

Æ som eie lite:
Ka ska æ gje han?
Vess æ va ein gjeter,
sku han fått et lam.
Vess æ va ein vis mann,
hadde æ et svar:
Han ska få mett hjerte.
Det er det æ har.
Og det snødde, snødde meir
snør uendelig

I den kalde vinter
i ei anna tid.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Christel Alsos's song "I Den Kalde Vinter" describe a cold and harsh winter, where the earth becomes as hard as iron, water freezes solid, and the wind cries through the trees. The snow falls endlessly, signaling a time that feels distant and removed from the present. The singer reflects on their own smallness and wonders what they can give to someone else in this difficult time. If they were a shepherd, they could offer a lamb. If they were a wise man, they could offer an answer. But as someone who feels they have little to give, they offer something more personal - their heart.

The song's use of nature imagery to convey a sense of desolation and loneliness is common in Scandinavian folk music. The cold and unforgiving environment can feel overwhelming and isolating, leading to introspection and self-reflection. In this way, the song captures a sense of melancholy that is often found in this type of music.

Line by Line Meaning

I den kalde vinter -
During the cold winter season,

jorda blei som jern
the earth became hard like iron,

Vannet blei som stein, og
the water became solid like stone, and

vinden gråt i trær.
the wind cried through the trees.

Og det snødde, snødde meir
And it kept snowing, snowing more

snør uendelig
infinite snow,

I den kalde vinter
during the cold winter season,

i ei anna tid.
in a different time.

Æ som eie lite:
I, who have very little,

Ka ska æ gje han?
What can I give him?

Vess æ va ein gjeter,
If I were a shepherd,