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
Stengd dør
Gåte Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
eg høyrar nokon bankar på.
Ute blæs så kald ein vind,
men ingen, ingen slepp' eg inn.
Dei ute hører mørkret til,
dei vingla rundt og gjekk seg vill.
No kjem dei frå si daumannverd
Og nåljøs brinn i deira fár.
Dei ropar, men fær ikkje svar.
Dei ska'kje gjeste meg i kveld.
Eg vaktar trufast på min eld.
Eg høyrer kor dei tigg og bed
Mi dør er stengd. Gå bort i fred!
The lyrics to Gåte's song Stengd Dør, speak of a person who has locked their door firmly shut, and someone is incessantly knocking on it. A cold wind is blowing outside, but the person refuses to let anyone in, not even the one who is knocking. The person outside is lost in the darkness, and the singer can hear them wandering aimlessly about. The outsider is trying to find a way into the locked door, but the singer will not allow it. The outsider is burning with a desire to be admitted, but the singer has no intention of allowing them in.
The lyrics explore themes of isolation and self-protection. The singer appears to be guarding their privacy and not wanting to engage with anyone outside. The use of imagery in the lyrics is interesting because it creates a sense of mystery and creepy atmosphere. The darkness outside, the eerie wind, and the wandering stranger seem quite unsettling. The lyrics are an invitation to embark on a journey of interpretation and exploration. Perhaps the song is about the dangers of isolation, or perhaps it is about staying true to oneself despite social pressures.
Line by Line Meaning
Mi dør er stengd med lås og slå,
My door is securely locked with both a traditional lock and a bolt.
eg høyrar nokon bankar på.
Despite the secure lock, I can hear someone knocking on my door.
Ute blæs så kald ein vind,
The wind outside is extremely cold and biting.
men ingen, ingen slepp' eg inn.
Despite the knocking and the cold wind, I refuse to let anyone inside.
Dei ute hører mørkret til,
Those outside belong to the darkness and chaos that surrounds me.
dei vingla rundt og gjekk seg vill.
They stumble and wander aimlessly in the darkness, without direction or purpose.
No kjem dei frå si daumannverd
Now they emerge from their world of death and decay.
Og krinsar kring på kvillaus ferd.
They circle around me, lost and wandering, searching for something they cannot find.
Og nåljøs brinn i deira fár.
Their fires burn without warmth or light, providing no solace or comfort in the darkness.
Dei ropar, men fær ikkje svar.
They call out to me, but I refuse to answer their cries.
Dei ska'kje gjeste meg i kveld.
They are not welcome to visit me tonight.
Eg vaktar trufast på min eld.
I remain steadfast in guarding my own fire and light, refusing to let them extinguish it.
Eg høyrer kor dei tigg og bed
I hear their desperate pleas for entry and help.
Mi dør er stengd. Gå bort i fred!
But my door remains firmly closed to them, and I demand that they leave me in peace.
Contributed by Alex N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.