While doing an incredible job for NRK traveling around and reporting, he also raised money for a Norwegian coastal rescue service (redningsselskapet). He also started recording tunes he learned on his journeys around the country and the world. This resulted in many recordings . Erik Bye was voted to be the 3'd most important Norwegian citizen of all time in 2005. He died in 2004.
He will always be known for the humour and radiation of positive energy.
Blow Silver Wind
Erik Bye Lyrics
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Strike up a tune in the ropes and the rig!
Blow, lucky breeze, come kiss the white canvas,
The anchors are up, boys, it's time for a swig.
No don't turn your backs, boys, let's face the land squarely,
Watching her glimmer away in the mists.
We gave her our guts, but she fed us just barely.
We'll go where there's use for our backs and our fists!
Whisper a word from the hills and the streams.
Blow, wind of sorrow, hasten the hour.
Let us be gone now. There's no time for dreams.
No, don't turn around. Pray the wind will keep blowing.
There is no returning so don't look behind.
What we have lost there is no way of knowing.
No way of knowing what we shall find...
Blow, silver wind, with a song from the mountains!
Wish us God speed with a cheer from afar!
Blow, wind of hope, for your children departing.
We know what you gave us. We know who we are.So look alive all! Feel the old ship is straining, already she's wetting her nose in the brine. So, look to the East where the old land is waning, and look to the West where the new land shall shine...
In the lyrics of Erik Bye's song "Blow Silver Wind", the singer is bidding farewell to their homeland and embarking on a journey to a new land. The song commands the wind to blow, to strike up a tune, to kiss the white canvas and urges the sailors to face the land right before leaving. The singer reflects on how much they have given to their homeland despite not receiving much in return. They offer their backs and fists to the new land, suggesting their readiness to work hard in the new place. The singer urges the wind to blow away their sorrow and help them move on to the unknown, reassuring themselves that they know who they are and what the wind has given them. The song closes with a call to feel the old ship straining and to look to the East where the old land is waning and to the West where a new land shall shine promising exciting prospects.
Line by Line Meaning
Blow, silver wind, with a whoop from the mountains,
Let the wind blow strongly and make a sound that echoes through the mountains
Strike up a tune in the ropes and the rig!
Let the wind create music by playing through the ropes and the rigging of the ship
Blow, lucky breeze, come kiss the white canvas,
Let the wind kiss the sails of the ship and bring luck to the journey
The anchors are up, boys, it's time for a swig.
The ship is ready to sail, it's time for the crew to enjoy a drink before setting off
No don't turn your backs, boys, let's face the land squarely,
Don't turn away from the departing land, face it squarely and acknowledge the journey ahead
Watching her glimmer away in the mists.
Watch the land fade away in the distance as the ship sails further away
We gave her our guts, but she fed us just barely.
We worked hard for the land, but it barely provided for us
We'll go where there's use for our backs and our fists!
We will seek a new land where our hard work will be put to use and we can fight for our livelihood
Blow, silver wind, with a sight from the mountains.
Let the wind create a vision of the mountains and inspire us on our journey
Whisper a word from the hills and the streams.
Let the wind carry a message from the mountains and the streams, guiding us on our journey
Blow, wind of sorrow, hasten the hour.
Let the wind of sorrow hurry the journey and bring an end to the pain of leaving
Let us be gone now. There's no time for dreams.
We must leave now without looking back or dreaming of what we've left behind
No, don't turn around. Pray the wind will keep blowing.
Don't turn back and hope that the wind will keep blowing to take us forward on our journey
There is no returning so don't look behind.
We cannot return, so we must not look back
No way of knowing what we shall find...
We have no idea what our future holds
Blow, silver wind, with a song from the mountains!
Let the wind bring a song from the mountains to inspire and encourage us on our journey
Wish us God speed with a cheer from afar!
Wish us good luck and Godspeed on our journey with a cheer from those left behind
Blow, wind of hope, for your children departing.
Let the wind of hope blow for those leaving their homeland and seeking a better life
We know what you gave us. We know who we are.
We know what our homeland has given us and we know who we are because of it
So look alive all! Feel the old ship is straining, already she's wetting her nose in the brine.
Everyone must stay alert and pay attention as the ship begins to move and feel the ship start to strain against the water
So, look to the East where the old land is waning, and look to the West where the new land shall shine...
Look to the East where the old land is fading away and look to the West where a new land holds promise and hope
Writer(s): erik bye, sigmund groven
Contributed by Alaina G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.