Skuggsjá translates into ‘mirror’ or ‘reflection’ in the Norse language, and the piece not only contextualizes harder music’s role in the democracy in Norway in 2014, but also joins threads from the country’s ancient musical history and solidifies harder music’s position as Norway's most important cultural export.
By highlighting ideas, traditions and instruments of their Norse past, Skuggsjá tells the history of Norway and reflect relevant aspects from the past into the present day. In light of this we reflect on ourselves as a people and nation. In a magnificent tapestry of metal instrumentation, a wide variety of Norway´s and Scandinavia’s oldest instruments, and poetry in Norse and Norwegian, Skuggsjá is a fusion between past and present, both lyrically and musically.
Hugsjá
Ivar Bjørnson & Einar Selvik Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I hugen sjå me hugen trå
Det vinder nå
Andast ut
Prater hugen for å flygg
I vindenly
Andast inn
Minneauget viser ljud
Andast ut
Frå sin heim og frå sin hav
Inn og fram
Andast inn
Hugsjá
The lyrics to Ivar Bjørnson & Einar Selvik's song Hugsjá are sung in Norwegian, and they are quite poetic and enigmatic. The opening line "Andast inn" translates to "Breathe in" and this seems to set the stage for the rest of the lyrics which revolve around the idea of introspection and looking inward. The next few lines, "I hugen sjå me hugen trå/Det vinder nå" seem to be about the wind of change blowing through the singer's consciousness, and they are perhaps struggling to find their way or direction. The following lines, "Prater hugen for å flygg/I vindenly" seem to hint at the singer's mind talking to itself, trying to gain some clarity and insight.
The subsequent lines "Andast inn/Minneauget viser ljud/I mitt sinn" seem to suggest that the singer is looking inward and trying to make sense of their thoughts and feelings. The final lines "Frå sin heim og frå sin hav/Inn og fram/Andast inn" can be interpreted as a call to action, the singer is looking to draw upon their inner resources and find the strength to move forward. The song is expressive and highly evocative, and it's open to interpretation, but the overall theme is quite clear: the power of introspection and self-awareness.
Line by Line Meaning
Andast inn
Breathing in
I hugen sjå me hugen trå
In the mind we see the mind walking
Det vinder nå
There is a wind blowing now
Andast ut
Breathing out
Prater hugen for å flygg
The mind chatters to fly away
I vindenly
In the light of the wind
Andast inn
Breathing in
Minneauget viser ljud
The moon shows the way
I mitt sinn
In my mind
Andast ut
Breathing out
Frå sin heim og frå sin hav
From his home and from his sea
Inn og fram
In and forward
Andast inn
Breathing in
Hugsjá
Thinking back
Writer(s): Einar Selvik, Ivar S Peersen
Contributed by Liam R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@leomasisme8930
Breathe in. We tread in the mind we see, wind blows now.
Breathe out. Telling the mind to flee, inside the windshelter.
Breathe in. Mind-eye shows sound, inside my mind.
Breathe out. From its home and from its harbor, wind goes forth.
Breathe in.
@Northern85Star
Andast inn (inhale)
I hugen sjå me hugen trår, til minner når (in thought/mind we see the conscious travel, reaching memories)
Andast ut (exhale)
Prater hugen frå å flygg, til vinterly (talk consciousness from fleeing, to winter refuge)
Andast inn (inhale)
Minneauge viser ljud, i mitt sinn (minds eye shows sound, in my soul)
Andast ut (exhale)
Frå sitt heim og frå din ham, vinner fram (from its home and from your appearance, it moves onwards)
Andast is a kenning for dying, where the first word (and/ánd/ånd) means both breath and spirit. In old norse and scandinavia, the spirit is believed to travel from the body with the last dying exhalation (look at the last line: exhale - it moves). This is why when people die, we traditionally open a window and light a candle, to show the spirit where to go.
Line 1: experiencing flashbacks in the dying moment.
Line 2: fighting against dying, trying not to “fall asleep”.
Line 3: inner eye shows sound in the soul, ie the body is losing its grip on the spirit, experienced as inner sound.
Line 4: with the last exhalation, the spirit moves out of the dead body (“ham” means appearance or skin).
@LosClientesProductions
@@Northern85Star Thank you so much! I wonder why it isnt pined up as "the most relevant comment"
I was a little confused because I found 2 different lyrics spread. Without the exact words, no translation can express the deeper meaning or even begin to grasp it. I'm not a fan of translations using an intermediate language, because that quickly destroys the deep ground, but when I tried to get a German translation with modest knowledge and means, I always ended up dissatisfied with my result. Men already takes the basic meaning, but the deeper reason for the lines is missing. in any case, it seemed too simple for me and without any statement. but after i read your interpretation and explanation and now your explanation of what you are based on, i feel it almost like a conversation in the same language between einar and me as the questioner of his play.
Thanks again for that
My thoughts as i tryed to interpret it by my own.
I didn't really come up with the aspect of striving in the text myself. It turned out to be a meditative moment with the goal of being able to devote yourself completely to the now with its attention without the details that often bring with it the thinking and which lead one into chaotic getting lost and confused. So a moment of "contemplation / feeling" and thereby the becoming and passing away, the emerging and evaporating the looking back in concern and looking forward in concern without perceiving it personally .. and this with every sense if possible. this takes into account the breath without interweaving with every single impression as an accompanying rhythm in order to experience it in its purity and naturalness.
hugsja is translated to me with "thinking" or "thoughts". from experience these are often a hindrance in "recognizing and experiencing" if one does not teach as taught in Buddhist, the thoughts can flow through without being moved by them. nature-loving people know these moments with a simple view of a wild landscape and nature. I thought I took this from the song. I do not question your interpretation because your lives from more background knowledge and less interpretation. But even now this interpretation does not seem absurd or inappropriate to me. despite and even next to your work.
@baphomet9697
Andast inn.
I hugen sjå me hugen trå, det vinder nå.
Andast ut.
Prater hugen frå å flygg, i vinterly.
Andast inn.
Minneauge viser ljud, i mitt sinn.
Andast ut.
Frå sin heim og frå din ham, vinner fram.
Andast inn.
Hugsjá
@larrypinkard2051
Swiatek702
I speak with heartfelt sincerity and deepest profound reverence for Father God and Mother Goddess .The wheel it spins in mystery and magic .
We are all expressions of Divinity in the most High .Past . Present . Future .This music is an expressed manifestation of Divinity in the Highest .Of Mother Gaia .Of the Elementals .Of the old Gods and Spirits .
Of blood spilled and
and land conquered .
Of Love and loss .
Of oneness with all that was,is and will be .This is what makes Einars work so meaningful.His interpretation and binding of the Runes has brought about mass Spiritual awakening to many people through this Magic .I am ever greatful for this music,for it is the most harmonious to alignment with God .
I pray and give thanks to Odin and Thor Odinson every day for imparting to
me thier knowledge,strength and courage to traverse the realms and realities of all that is and to dwell in this realm with purpose and sovereignty !Let us give Loki his due as well .For those who forget him may find calamity at the doorstep .
In conclusion,I mean every word I write .Think of me what you will
@leonmoore3174
Andast inn. I hugen sjå me hugen trår, til minnar når.
(Breathe in. In thought we see, in thought we tread, to memories we reach)
Andast ut. Lata hugen fara fri, i vinden rir.
(Breathe out. Let thought travel free, in the wind it rides)
Andast inn. Blinde auger viser veg, i mitt sinn
(Breathe in. Blind eyes show the way, in my mind.)
Andast ut. Frå sin heim og frå sin hamn, inn og fram
(Breathe out. From its home and from its harbor, in and forward)
Andast inn.
(Breathe in.)
Hugsjá
Ut og yver.
(Out and over.)
Hugsjá
Inn og under.
(In and under.)
Hugsjá
@pazis3799
Andast inn
I hugen sjå med hugen trå
Til minna nå.
Andast ut
Lata hugen fara fri
i vinden ri
Andast inn
blinde auger viser inn
i mitt sinn.
Andast tut
Frå sin heim og frå sin ham
Inn og fram
Andast inn.
Hugsjá
Ut og yver
Hugsjá
Inn og under
Hugsjá
@leonmoore3174
Andast inn. I hugen sjå med hugen trå, til minnar nå.
(Inhale. Look into the mind, steps made with your mind grasping memories)
Andast ut. Lata hugen fara fri, i vinden ri.
(Exhale. Let your mind travel free, ride the winds)
Andast inn. Blinde auger viser inn, i mitt sinn
(Inhale. Blind eyes lead the way, inside my mind.)
Andast ut. Frå sin heim og frå sin ham, inn og fram
(Breathe out. From shelter, from shape, inward and onward)
Andast inn.
(Breathe in.)
Hugsjá
Ut og yver.
(Outwards and over.)
Hugsjá
Inn og under.
(Inwards and under.)
Hugsjá
@kwstasakify
its amazing how a single person like Einar can take you on a trip to Valhalla with that voice
@HevadeWe
Einars voice remains magnificent as ever.
@derszatan6109
Yeah he is making every song even more amazing
@leonardomarques5857
Olemme varmoja siitä !
@Grinch92
I love all the music he makes it’s amazing
@sandramaessen5548
Love him
Respect
Way of life
Nature
Roots
Never forget
Goosebumps
All over❤👣
@LadyCubbins
Nothing sounds better than Einar Selvik's voice. They've done an amazing job as usual.
@yahiyahi3022
Dina my haven of peace 😳😳
@cfandersonz8033
Thank you for this song. Takes me to a place where my anxiety and stress disappears.
@OverTheVoids
I don't know how, but Einar Selvik does a phenomenal job with his music development. I already know this album is going to be great with it comes out.