Hilmarsson is also the composer for the Icelandic film Children of Nature, among others.
Bíum bíum bambaló
Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson & Sigur Rós Lyrics
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Bambaló og dillidillidó
Vini mínum vagga ég í ró
En úti biður andlit á glugga
Þegar fjöllin fimbulhá
fylla brjóst þitt heitri þrá,
Leika skal ég langspil á
Bíum bíum bambaló,
Bambaló og dillidillidó
Vini mínum vagga ég í ró
En úti biður andlit á glugga
Þegar veður geisa grimm,
Grúfir yfir hríðin dimm,
Kveiki ég á kertum fimm,
Burt flæmi skammdegisskugga
The lyrics to "Bíum bíum bambaló" describe a lullaby sung to a friend or loved one, in which the singer promises to soothe them to sleep while someone or something waits outside their window. The first verse begins with the four repeated syllables of "bíum bíum bambaló," which mimic the rhythm of rocking a baby or cradling a loved one. The addition of "dillidillidó" adds a playful and nonsensical element to the lullaby, emphasizing its soothing rather than its logical qualities.
The second verse introduces a sense of longing and desire, as the singer invokes the image of towering fjords to evoke deep yearning in the listener. As the singer promises to play the langspil, a traditional Icelandic stringed instrument, they suggest that this music will "hug" or comfort the listener's mind as they drift off to sleep. The third verse builds tension with its description of grim and dark weather, and the singer's response of lighting five candles and banishing the shadows. Overall, the lyrics of "Bíum bíum bambaló" use a repetitive and playful melody to soothe and comfort, while also invoking elements of Iceland's natural beauty and the power of music to transcend difficult situations.
Line by Line Meaning
Bíum bíum bambaló,
I am lulling my friend to sleep
Bambaló og dillidillidó
By singing a soothing song
Vini mínum vagga ég í ró
To put my friend at ease
En úti biður andlit á glugga
While outside, someone is waiting at the window
Þegar fjöllin fimbulhá
When the towering mountains
fylla brjóst þitt heitri þrá,
Fill your heart with hot desire
Leika skal ég langspil á
I will play my traditional instrument
Það mun þinn hugan hugga
To calm your mind
Bíum bíum bambaló,
I am lulling my friend to sleep
Bambaló og dillidillidó
By singing a soothing song
Vini mínum vagga ég í ró
To put my friend at ease
En úti biður andlit á glugga
While outside, someone is waiting at the window
Þegar veður geisa grimm,
When the weather is violently flashing
Grúfir yfir hríðin dimm,
Clouds obscure the murky storm
Kveiki ég á kertum fimm,
I light five candles
Burt flæmi skammdegisskugga
To ward off the shadows of the short day
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GEORG HOLM, JON ARNASON, JON THOR BIRGISSON, KJARTAN SVEINSSON, ORRI PALL DYRASON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind