Halvdan Sivertsen is a singer-songwriter from Bodø, Norway whose career spa… Read Full Bio ↴Halvdan Sivertsen is a singer-songwriter from Bodø, Norway whose career spans the last three decades starting in 1973. He started out writing protest songs, and later added topics such as love, loss, humour and the north Norwegian folk culture to his repertoire. He was also a member of Norwegian guitar supergroup Gitarkameratene and has frequently collaborated with Øystein Sunde, who also played in the band. He is arguably one of Norway's most beloved folk singers, and his song "Kjærlighetsvisa" is widely concidered one of the defining Norwegian love songs.

In 2006, a mashup of the Halvdan Sivertsen song Høre Tel På Jorda and M.O.P's G-Building (made by thomaxbeats) became something of an underground hit in Norway.

Benjamin
Halvdan Sivertsen Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Det gode smilet, det åpne blikket, du bygde brua
Alt e forandra, men hat får ikke ta fra oss trua
Og æ vet ikke kem du va
Men æ vet du gjor mange gla

Du va bare Benjamin
Bare Benjamin
Kofførr fikk du ikke lov

Å bare være Benjami

Så kommer sorga, så kommer tåran, så komer sinnet
Det brenn i smerte, det brenn i såran, det brenn her inne
Vi så dæ stå frem mot vold og hat
Til du ble stille ei vinternatt

Du va bare Benjamin
Bare Benjamin
Kofførr fikk du ikke lov
Å bare være Benjamin

Død på kino, død på TV
Død på nettet, døden leve
Død og pizza, død og cola
Byen blør mot morrasola
Benjamin

Det gode smilet, det åpne blikket, du bygde brua
Alt e forandra, men hat får ikke ta fra oss trua
Vi ska alltid ha dæ til venn
Så det aldri får skje igjen

Du va bare Benjamin
Bare Benjamin
Kofførr fikk du ikke lov
Å bare være

Benjamin
Bare Benjamin
Men vi ska gi dæ stemme
Vi ska aldri glemme
Benjamin

Aldri glemme, aldri glemme

Men gi dæ stemme
Benjamin

Overall Meaning

The song "Benjamin" by Halvdan Sivertsen is about a young man named Benjamin who brought joy to many people by just being himself. He had a good smile and an open gaze, and he built bridges between people. However, Benjamin was not allowed to just be himself, and the lyrics question why he could not be accepted for who he was. The song then takes a darker turn as the singer reflects on Benjamin's death, which occurred possibly at the hands of violence and hatred. The pain, tears, and anger that followed are described, and the city bleeds from the morning sun. But despite the tragedy, the singer promises that they will always remember Benjamin and never forget his voice. They will make sure that his memory is honored and celebrated always.

The song, "Benjamin", has an emotional and powerful message, and it depicts the consequences of prejudice and hate. It urges people to be kind to one another and love each other for who they are. It also brings attention to how senseless acts of violence can ruin lives and damage communities. The use of repetition, particularly the phrase "Bare Benjamin," emphasizes the simplicity and purity of who Benjamin was, and how he was taken away because of external forces. This song serves as a reminder that we all need to do our part to ensure that hate and prejudice have no place in our world.

Line by Line Meaning

Det gode smilet, det åpne blikket, du bygde brua
You had a kind smile and an open look, and you built a bridge between people.

Alt e forandra, men hat får ikke ta fra oss trua
Everything has changed, but hate cannot take away our faith.

Og æ vet ikke kem du va
I don't know who you were.

Men æ vet du gjor mange gla
But I know you made many people happy.

Du va bare Benjamin
You were simply Benjamin.

Kofførr fikk du ikke lov
Why weren't you allowed to

Å bare være Benjami
just be Benjamin?

Så kommer sorga, så kommer tåran, så komer sinnet
Grief, tears, and anger come along.

Det brenn i smerte, det brenn i såran, det brenn her inne
It burns with pain, it burns with wounds, it burns inside.

Vi så dæ stå frem mot vold og hat
We saw you stand up against violence and hate.

Til du ble stille ei vinternatt
Until you became quiet on a winter night.