An acoustic version of "Katastrofen" was performed by Ottesen and Geir Zahl at Det Beste Stedet in Sandnes, Norway in 2000; the first known recording of Kaizers Orchestra material, albeit not in the eventual six-piece configuration. The song was recorded on the group's first demo, and was also recorded for their first release, the Gul EP. The song features distinctive oil barrel percussion, which is performed by Zahl and Terje Winterstø Røthing live on stage. Early in the group's career, a civil defense siren would be played over the loudspeakers during live performances, but this has since been phased out. A similar effect would later be applied to performances of "Evig pint".
The song's lyrics tell of a coming disaster in the form of a great flood, foretold by a clairvoyant weather reporter. Despite the fact that the his earlier warnings (such as the coming of "the man from Transylvania with a fondness for blood") went unheeded, he desperately attempts to convince the townspeople to evacuate before disaster strikes.
Katastrofen
Kaizers Orchestra Lyrics
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Det vil bli flom innen 24 timer
Det finns ikkje liv under en nyslipt giljotin
Det er meldt regn så til de grader.
Ta i betraktning den stora bølgå
Og erkjenn våre minimale sjangser
Slepp det do har i hendene, frøken Sudine
Og la alt ligga igjen. Sett kvinner og barn oppi båten
Redd seg den som kan. Onkel Egil slår alarm
do må komma sjøl om huset står i brann
For nå blir me våte
Det er meldt regn så til de grader
Men ingen trur meg når eg seier det blir flom
Tenker de ikkje langt tilbake
do vett at eg fekk rett sist gong
DÃ¥ eg sa at det blei vinter i august
At kongen kom til å bli skutt
At det fanst en som likte blod i Transylvania
Men folk glømmer alt for fort
Sann mine ord. Snart er det gjort
Det vil bli flom i mårå
The song "Katastrofen" by Kaizers Orchestra talks about an imminent disaster that is going to happen in the next 24 hours. The lyrics talk about the heavy rainfall that is forecasted to cause a flood, and the reference to a sharp guillotine hints at the potential harm that can be caused by the upcoming disaster. The lyrics also seem to suggest that people are underestimating the severity of the situation, and they need to act quickly to save themselves. The song urges people to leave everything behind and get to safety, and the use of the phrase "sette kvinner og barn oppi båten," which translates to "put women and children in the boat," further emphasizes the urgency of the situation.
The second verse of the song seems to talk about the inevitability of the disaster and how people need to accept their minimal chances of survival. The lyrics suggest that people need to drop everything they're doing, and even a modest act such as leaving soap Sudine halfway through her bath becomes critical. Onkel Egil, another character in the song, sounds the alarm and urges everyone to evacuate. The lyrics further suggest that people need to act immediately, even if it means leaving their homes behind.
"Katastrofen" is a haunting song that brings to life the real-world threats of natural disasters. It warns people not to take the warnings lightly and to act quickly in times of crisis. The song highlights the uncertain nature of life and how we can never predict when a disaster might strike.
Line by Line Meaning
Det er meldt regn så til de grader
The weather report forecasts heavy rain
Det vil bli flom innen 24 timer
This heavy rain will cause floods in the next 24 hours
Det finns ikkje liv under en nyslipt giljotin
Life would be impossible under a newly sharpened guillotine
Det er meldt regn så til de grader.
The weather report still forecasts heavy rain
Ta i betraktning den stora bølgå
Consider the big wave
Og erkjenn våre minimale sjangser
And realize our minimal chances
Slepp det do har i hendene, frøken Sudine
Drop what you have in your hands, Miss Sudine
Frøken Sudine, kom deg ut i frå badet
Miss Sudine, get out of the bathroom
Og la alt ligga igjen. Sett kvinner og barn oppi båten
Leave everything behind. Put women and children in the boat
Redd seg den som kan. Onkel Egil slår alarm
Save yourself if you can. Uncle Egil sounds the alarm
do må komma sjøl om huset står i brann
You must come even if your house is on fire
For nå blir me våte
Because we are about to get wet
Men ingen trur meg når eg seier det blir flom
But no one believes me when I say there will be floods
Tenker de ikkje langt tilbake
Don't they think back in time?
do vett at eg fekk rett sist gong
You know I was right last time
Då eg sa at det blei vinter i august
When I said it would be winter in August
At kongen kom til å bli skutt
That the king would be shot
At det fanst en som likte blod i Transylvania
That there was someone who liked blood in Transylvania
Men folk glømmer alt for fort
But people forget too quickly
Sann mine ord. Snart er det gjort
Mark my words. It will soon be done.
Det vil bli flom i mårå
There will be floods tomorrow
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nmgreendragon 7
HOLY crap I love how old the opening sounds :O
Melkemannen
Tusen takk hege!:)
hhegehagen
I have no idea. I must have misplaced the picture on my computer and then just put it in the movie. (I don't look at the pictures I put in my videoes)
MadsEmilDK
What's with the "Nephew" picture at 2:31? :/