While some songs are original, many come from traditional Norwegian folk songs. Some songs are based on the poems of the Norwegian poet Astrid Krogh Halse. These include "Følgje" ("Companion") and "Stengd Dør ("Closed Door"). The music consists of guitaring, violins, synthesized keyboarding, drumming, and the distinctive voice of Gunnhild Sundli.
On September 6th, 2005, the band announced that they would "take a break" to pursue other stuff, mostly because of Gunnhild's desire to do something else. This came as a surprise to many, as the band has been a success both in Norway and abroad, especially in Germany. However, they released a new album in 2006, Liva, a live recording from Rockefeller, Oslo.
Gåte returned for a one-time performance during the culture festival UKA in Trondheim, on October 24, 2009. After the success with this concert, they announced they would tour festivals in Norway in the summer of 2010. The band reunited another time in 2017 and in 2024 they participated in Melodi Grand Prix, winning the competition with the song Ulveham and thus being given the right to represent Norway at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024.
Wikipedia page
Bendik og Årolilja
Gåte Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ville han skoda møy,
Han var ikje lagje te atte koma,
Difor so laut han døy
-Årolilja, kvi søve du so lengje?
Om dagjen rid Bendik i skogjen ut,
og veider den ville hjort
med åst og elskogs ord
-Årolilja, kvi søve du so legnje?x2
Inn kjem kongjens smådreng
Seie han tidend ifrå
Bendik trør Gullbrautine
Foruta kongjens råd
-Årolilja, kvi søve du så lengje?x2
Olavkyrkje i Trondheim
Ho er tekte med bly
Bendik sko inkje livi njote
om ho var tri gongjer ny
-Årolilja, kvi søve du so lengje?
The lyrics to Gåte's song "Bendik og Årolilja" tell a tragic story of a man named Bendik who sets out on a journey to seek the affection of a woman named Årolilja but meets an unfortunate end. The first verse describes how Bendik rides his horse to Sølando with the intention of wooing Årolilja. However, he is unsuccessful in impressing her and ends up dying before he can achieve his goal. The line "Årolilja, kvi søve du so lengje?" (Årolilja, why do you sleep so long?) suggests that Årolilja may have been unaware of Bendik's tragic fate or has chosen to ignore it.
In the second verse, Bendik goes hunting in the forest during the day and spends his nights wooing Årolilja with sweet words of love. The repeated line "Årolilja, kvi søve du so legnje?" (Årolilja, why do you sleep so soundly?) may indicate that Årolilja is either uninterested or oblivious to Bendik's advances.
The third verse introduces a messenger from the king who informs Bendik of a dangerous area he should avoid. However, Bendik decides to ignore the warning and continues on his journey, ultimately leading to his untimely death. The final line "Årolilja, kvi søve du so lengje?" (Årolilja, why do you sleep so long?) may serve as a lamentation for Bendik, who is buried without being able to enjoy the beauty of the Olavkyrkje church in Trondheim.
Line by Line Meaning
Bendik rid åt Sølando
Bendik rode towards Sølando
Ville han skoda møy,
He wanted to harm a girl,
Han var ikje lagje te atte koma,
He was not meant to survive,
Difor so laut han døy
So he had to die
Årolilja, kvi søve du so lengje?
Årolilja, why are you sleeping so long?
Om dagjen rid Bendik i skogjen ut,
Bendik rides out into the forest in the daytime,
og veider den ville hjort
And hunts wild deer
Om notti vitjar han jomfruva
At night, he visits a virgin
med åst og elskogs ord
With sweet and romantic words
Inn kjem kongjens smådreng
The king's little servant enters
Seie han tidend ifrå
He brings news from the king
Bendik trør Gullbrautine
Bendik defies the king's advice
Foruta kongjens råd
Ahead of the king's council
Olavkyrkje i Trondheim
The St. Olav's Church in Trondheim
Ho er tekte med bly
It is covered in lead
Bendik sko inkje livi njote
Bendik would not be able to enjoy it in his lifetime
om ho var tri gongjer ny
Even if it was three times newer
Årolilja, kvi søve du so lengje?
Årolilja, why are you sleeping so long?
Årolilja, kvi søve du så lengje?x2
Årolilja, why are you sleeping so long? (repeated)
Contributed by Alexandra K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@poilboiler
This song always feels so sad.
@TaigaFolk
The song of some of the best years of my life. Herregud, how long ago it was!
@tenapus
Funny to see the old you, I mean the Young you! And still the best. All of you
@kev404
I love this song!! <3
@diegofarfan7543
Solo soy un comentario random en español lol. I found this band trying to learn Norwegian and despite it is Nynorsk, I really like some of their songs, especially this one :D
@charlottejohansen7957
I wish someone chased my like this 💕🤞. Wonderful song gåte . Love from Bergen
@charlottejohansen7957
Me*
@user-gv8is5fd7j
Vil foralltid elske gåte❤
@elineeidegrnningster2485
fantastic
@frodenystad4117
Helt nydelig ❤️❤️❤️