Manden På Risten
Four Jacks Lyrics
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Mens jeg kigger på Vesterbro.
Jeg nyder det flammende neonlys,
Uden ophold fra seks til to.
Jeg har det omtrent som de rige,
Jeg er hver nat på "restaurant".
Man godt på en måde kan sige,
At jeg er såd'n en slags "gourmant".
Ej vrøvl som en anden grosser'.
Min mave kan tåle det hele
Og lidt til og meget mer'.
Jeg napper "fasanen" i flugten
Efter "bøffen", min yndlingsret,
Jeg får aldrig andet end lugten,
Men af den kan man godt bli' mæt.
Mens de derinde nedsvælger bourgogne og bordeaux,
Blir jeg beruset af luften fra Vesterbro.
Jeg har med de ædlere dele
Ej vrøvl som en anden grosser'.
Min mave kan tåle det hele
Og lidt til og meget mer'.
Jeg napper "fasanen" i flugten
Efter "bøffen", min yndlingsret,
Jeg får aldrig andet end lugten,
Men af den kan man godt bli' mæt.
Mens de derinde nedsvælger bourgogne og bordeaux,
Blir jeg beruset af luften fra Vesterbro.
The lyrics of Four Jacks's song Manden På Risten describe the singer's experience standing outside a restaurant, referred to as "risten," in the Vesterbro neighborhood, enjoying the neon lights from 6 PM to 2 AM every night. He admits to feeling like the wealthy patrons inside the restaurant and considers himself somewhat of a "gourmant." Despite not being able to afford the finer foods and wines being served inside, he is content with the smells and ambiance of the area. He brags about his ability to handle any food, including the fancier ones, and jokes about being able to eat a whole pheasant or more.
Through this song, Manden På Risten expresses the class division set by social limitations that keep a lot of people such as the singer from fulfilling their desires. However, the singer finds pleasure and contentment through the experience of being present, even if he can never taste or enjoy the luxuries that he so clearly desires. The lyrics describe how the singer becomes drunk on the air from Vesterbro, admiring the restaurant's wealthy patrons enjoying their lavish meals and drinks.
Line by Line Meaning
Her står jeg hver aften på "risten",
I stand here every evening on the street corner,
Mens jeg kigger på Vesterbro.
While I gaze at the Vesterbro district.
Jeg nyder det flammende neonlys,
I enjoy the blazing neon lights,
Uden ophold fra seks til to.
Without interruption from six to two.
Jeg har det omtrent som de rige,
I feel almost like the wealthy,
Jeg er hver nat på "restaurant".
I'm at a "restaurant" every night.
Man godt på en måde kan sige,
You could say in a way,
At jeg er såd'n en slags "gourmant".
That I'm sort of a "gourmand."
Jeg har med de ædlere dele
I also have the finer things
Ej vrøvl som en anden grosser'.
Not nonsense like some big shot.
Min mave kan tåle det hele
My stomach can handle it all
Og lidt til og meget mer'.
And a little more and much more.
Jeg napper "fasanen" i flugten
I snatch the "pheasant" on the fly
Efter "bøffen", min yndlingsret,
After the "steak," my favorite dish,
Jeg får aldrig andet end lugten,
I never get anything more than the smell,
Men af den kan man godt bli' mæt.
But you can still get full from it.
Mens de derinde nedsvælger bourgogne og bordeaux,
While they inside gulp down Burgundy and Bordeaux,
Blir jeg beruset af luften fra Vesterbro.
I become intoxicated with the air from Vesterbro.
Contributed by Brody A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.