Helium Vola interpret medieval lyrics in Old High German, Middle High German, Latin, Provencal and Middle French language in a modern, electronic scape of sound. Thereby danceable songs like their last single "In Lichter Farbe Steht Der Wald" as well as pieces that are strongly based on samples (e.g. "Funerali" and "Iuvenes" on Helium Vola) are created.
Both albums published by Helium Vola are meant to be concept albums with a general theme. Helium Vola, with a mix of mostly medieval lyrics and news casts focuses on the shipwrecking of Russia nuclear submarine Kursk. The album Liod (Old High German: song) broaches the issue of a medieval woman's biography.
The projects main vocalist is Sabine Lutzenberger, though the project has utilised a number of guest singers and musicians.
Uf der Linden
Helium Vola Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
dâ sanc ein kleinez vogellîn.
vor dem walde wart ez lût:
dô huop sich aber daz herze mîn
an eine stat dâ ez ê dâ was.
ich sach dâ rôsebluomen stân:
die manent mich der gedanke vil
Ez dunket mich wol tûsent jâr,
daz ich an liebes arme lac.
sunder âne mîne schulde
fremedet er mich menegen tac.
sît ich bluomen niht ensach
noch enhôrte der vogel sanc,
sît was mir mîn fröide kurz
und ouch der jâmer alzelanc.
Slâfest du, friedel ziere?
man wecket uns leider schiere.
ein vogellîn sô wol getân,
daz ist der linden an daz zwî gegân.
Ich was vil sanfte entslâfen,
nu rüefest du kint ‚Wâfen‘.
liep âne leit mac niht gesîn.
swaz du gebiutest, daz leiste ich, friundîn mîn.
Diu frouwe begunde weinen:
Du rîtest und lâst mich eine.
wenne wilt du wider her zuo mir?
ôwê, du füerest mîn fröude sament dir!
The title of the song is "Uf der Linden," which means "under the linden tree." The first stanza describes a small bird singing in a linden tree which causes the singer's heart to swell. In the second stanza, the singer describes seeing rose flowers in a place where they used to go with their lover. The roses bring thoughts of their lover and how they were once held in their arms. The third stanza describes the singer's sadness and longing since they no longer see flowers or hear the bird's song. The final stanza features a dialogue where a woman is weeping because her lover is leaving, but he reassures her that he will return and do whatever she asks of him.
Line by Line Meaning
Uf der linden obene
On the linden tree above
dâ sanc ein kleinez vogellîn.
A little bird sang there.
vor dem walde wart ez lût:
In front of the woods it was loud.
dô huop sich aber daz herze mîn
Then my heart began to beat faster.
an eine stat dâ ez ê dâ was.
To a place where it used to be.
ich sach dâ rôsebluomen stân:
I saw rose blossoms there.
die manent mich der gedanke vil
They remind me of many thoughts.
die ich hin zeiner vrouwen hân.
Thoughts that I have for my beloved.
Ez dunket mich wol tûsent jâr,
It seems to me a thousand years,
daz ich an liebes arme lac.
That I laid in the arms of love.
sunder âne mîne schulde
Without fault of my own,
fremedet er mich menegen tac.
He has ignored me for many days.
sît ich bluomen niht ensach
Since I did not see flowers,
noch enhôrte der vogel sanc,
Nor heard the bird's song,
sît was mir mîn fröide kurz
My joy was short lived,
und ouch der jâmer alzelanc.
And also the anguish was endless.
Slâfest du, friedel ziere?
Are you sleeping, beautiful darling?
man wecket uns leider schiere.
We are unfortunately awakened quickly.
ein vogellîn sô wol getân,
A bird so well trained,
daz ist der linden an daz zwî gegân.
That it flew between the linden's branches.
Ich was vil sanfte entslâfen,
I was sleeping very gently,
nu rüefest du kint ‚Wâfen‘.
Now you call me 'arms', my dear.
liep âne leit mac niht gesîn.
My dear, no one else can see us.
swaz du gebiutest, daz leiste ich, friundîn mîn.
Whatever you command, I will do, my friend.
Diu frouwe begunde weinen:
The woman began to cry,
Du rîtest und lâst mich eine.
You ride away and leave me alone.
wenne wilt du wider her zuo mir?
When will you come back to me?
ôwê, du füerest mîn fröude sament dir!
Oh, you are taking my joy away with you!
Contributed by London N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.