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.
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Margit Hjukse
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- Tidi fell meg long'e,
Stolt Margit var dott'ri oppå den gård,
- Det er eg som ber sorgji så tronge.
Stolt Margit ho reidde seg til kyrkja å gå,
Så tok ho den vegjen til bergjet der låg
Kom Bergjekongjen med det lange, kvite skjegg
Så skjenkte han i av den klårasta vin,
"Drikk utor di, allerkjærasten min!"
Så var ho i bergjet åri dei ni
Og ho fødde søner og døtter tri
Stolt Margit ho tala til Bergjekongen så
"Må eg få lov til min fader å gå?"
"Ja, du må få lov til din fader å sjå
Men du må kje vere borte hot ein time hell två"
"Eg meiner det er Margit, eg hadde så kjær
Å kjære mi dotter, å er du no der!"
Men då kom Bergjekongen snøgt som ein eld
"Å kjem du kje heim at til borni i kveld?"
"Fare no vel då alle i min heim
no kjem eg aldri til dikkon meir"
The song "Margit Hjukse" by Gåte tells the story of a proud and beautiful woman named Margit who lives on the Hjukse farm in Sauherad. Margit feels a great sense of responsibility for the farm and its people. One day, on her way to the church, she takes a detour to the mountains where the Bergjekongen (the Mountain King) resides. When she arrives at the mountain, she is greeted by the Bergjekongen, who offers her the clearest wine and declares her to be his dearest love. Margit stays with the Bergjekongen for nine years, during which time she bears him three children. Eventually, Margit longs to see her father again, and the Bergjekongen allows her to leave, but warns her not to be gone for more than an hour or two.
Margit returns to her father's farm, and her father is overjoyed to see her. However, the Bergjekongen comes to retrieve Margit, and she must choose between staying with him or leaving with her father. She chooses to leave with her father, saying farewell to the people on the farm. She declares that she will never return to the Bergjekongen, who is angered by her departure.
The lyrics of "Margit Hjukse" convey a sense of mystery, adventure, and tragedy. They are deeply rooted in Norwegian folklore and mythology, and they tell a timeless tale of love, loyalty, and sacrifice.
Line by Line Meaning
Hjukse den stoltast gard i Sauherad var,
Hjukse was the proudest farm in Sauherad, but its glory days are long gone.
Tidi fell meg long'e,
Time has passed by so slowly for me.
Stolt Margit var dott'ri oppå den gård,
Margit was the daughter of Hjukse, and she carries the weight of its past.
Det er eg som ber sorgji så tronge.
She is burdened with grief and sorrow that runs deep.
Stolt Margit ho reidde seg til kyrkja å gå,
Proud Margit rode her horse to go to church.
Så tok ho den vegjen til bergjet der låg
Then she took the path leading to the mountain where the Bergjekongjen lived.
Som ho kom fram ved bergevegg,
When she arrived at the foot of the mountain,
Kom Bergjekongjen med det lange, kvite skjegg
the Bergjekongjen, with his long white beard, appeared before her.
Så skjenkte han i av den klårasta vin,
He poured the clearest wine for her to drink,
"Drikk utor di, allerkjærasten min!"
"Drink from it, my dearest!" he said.
Så var ho i bergjet åri dei ni
She spent nine years in the mountain with the Bergjekongjen,
Og ho fødde søner og døtter tri
and bore him three children.
Stolt Margit ho tala til Bergjekongen så
Proud Margit spoke to the Bergjekongjen,
"Må eg få lov til min fader å gå?"
"May I have permission to visit my father?"
"Ja, du må få lov til din fader å sjå
"Yes, you may see your father,
Men du må kje vere borte hot ein time hell två"
but you must not be away for more than an hour or two."
"Eg meiner det er Margit, eg hadde så kjær
"I think it is Margit, whom I loved so dear,
Å kjære mi dotter, å er du no der!"
My dear daughter, are you here!"
Men då kom Bergjekongen snøgt som ein eld
But then the Bergjekongjen appeared suddenly like fire.
"Å kjem du kje heim at til borni i kveld?"
"Won't you come back to our children tonight?"
"Fare no vel då alle i min heim
"Farewell to everyone in my home,
no kjem eg aldri til dikkon meir"
I will never come back to you."
Contributed by Nora J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.