En Valsmelodi
Christer Sjögren Lyrics

The lyrics of "En Valsmelodi" by Christer Sjögren paint a gloomy and introspective picture of solitude, darkness, and self-reflection. The opening lines describe a dark and quiet day, where stars, cats, and shadows are awakened. The imagery of "skarn slödder och flarn" suggests a messy and unkempt environment. The mention of "polishus och finkor," which translates to "police station and finches," adds a contrast between order and elegance.

The song takes on a more reflective tone as the singer, symbolically referred to as "Barnet," witnesses an angel with lanterns walking around their houses in dreams. This suggests a yearning for connection and a longing for something or someone to guide them. The personal struggle intensifies as the singer battles with a melancholic waltz, feeling physically and emotionally weak. The repetition of being "ganska mager," or quite skinny, emphasizes the vulnerability and fragility being expressed.

In the next stanza, the lyrics reveal that the singer has sold their songs to entertainment stages, asking forgiveness from God for some of the lines written. This implies a sense of desperation and compromise in the pursuit of pleasure or success. The repetition of being "ganska mager om ben'a, tillika om armar och hals" further emphasizes the physical and emotional frailty.

The final stanza introduces "Grämelsens son," who represents someone fretting about the happiness of others, Hans and Greta. The reference to "Pajas ack ja schajas ack ja" suggests a disregard or dismissal of superficiality or pretense. The singer longs for a rhyme for the sun, having already used the words fiddle and viola. This longing for creativity and inspiration becomes interconnected with the singer's isolation and struggle.

The lyrics conclude with a sense of resignation and existential reflection. The singer admits to having nothing to gain in the world and suggests that soon, worms will find them in their grave. The repetition of being "ganska mager om ben'a, tillika om armar och hals" reinforces the theme of physical and emotional emptiness. Overall, "En Valsmelodi" delves into themes of loneliness, inner battles, and the search for meaning amidst despair.