Although perhaps best known as an artist on the ECM record label, Bjørnstad is also an accomplished writer, having published some 20 books (predominantly novels) and a number of poetry and essay collections.
Ketil Bjørnstad made his debut with the Oslo Philharmonic in 1969, 16 years old, playing Bartok nr. 3. Listening to Miles Davis' "In a silent way" made him want to create his own music. Thanks to the very lively milieu around the Oslo music spot "Club 7" in the seventies, he met with poets, painters, jazz-musicians, and was encouraged to find his own style. Onthe first recording in 1973, called Åpning, he played with the drummer Jon Christensen for the first time. Jon was extremely important for Ketil, playing on three more albums, including the two The Sea albums for ECM.
Among Ketil Bjørnstad’s most important musical influences are Bach, Ravel, Prokofiev, Stravinskij, Miles Davis, Thelonius Monk and folk music. In his time he has collaborated with some of Scandinavia’s most distinguished folk- and rock-singers, like Ole Paus and Cornelis Vreeswijk. In the classical milieu he has collaborated much with the mezzo-soprano Randi Stene and the viola player Lars Anders Tomter. For his efforts he has had the honour of receiving a Norwegian Grammy award.
He has frequently collaborated with other ECM artists, including American cellist David Darling, drummer Jon Christensen, and guitarist Terje Rypdal.
Saihuekis datter
Ketil Bjørnstad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Vi trenger ikke slikt her i vårt land.
Aaaahhhh....
Min sang er ild og luft og vann
Og denne mannen Schander han som reiste over havet
Fra landet langt der nord
Der triste mannfolk bor.
Jeg lærte ham en sang han lett forsto
Saihukeis datter synger for hans venn
Hans triste venn som går på gaten i Paris
Aaaahhhh....
Min sang kan smelte all slags is
Hvis han vil reise langt og se
At ingenting er drømmer
Og at han ikke rømmer
Hvis han seiler ned til
Saihukeis datter hun kan synge
Det er plass til mangen foren elsker her.
Kanskje er min sang litt rar for Europeere
Med smak og stil og fineste konjakk
Aaaahhhh....
Jeg trenger ikke slikt, nei takk,
Men jeg sier ja hvis noen ber meg om å synge
Og store ting vil skje, urolige for fred
Ja hør de mørke dyrebare toner
De som er av ild og luft og vann.
Kanskje ser jeg ikke ut som alle damene
Som Schander sa farvel til langt der nord
Aaaahhhh....
Men det er vakkert der jeg bor.
Og du skal høre stemmen min i havets fjerne bulder
I nattfuglenes skrik, og kanskje er du lik
Meg selv, ja lenge leve Patagonia
Hvis du vil se meg kan du komme hit.
The opening line of the song, "Saihukeis datter synger sanger uten ord" (Saihukei's daughter sings songs without words), refers to a woman who has the ability to communicate emotions and stories through her voice without the use of lyrics. However, the singer suggests that such a talent is not needed in their country. The following lines reveal that the singer's own voice is their greatest tool, and that they are able to express fire, air and water through song. The reference to Schander, who traveled from the northern lands of sad men to settle among the singer's people, highlights the importance of music and the way it can bring people together.
The second verse introduces a sad friend of Schander's who lives in Paris and suggests that the singer's voice has the power to melt any ice in this person's heart. The singer encourages this friend to travel to Saihukei's daughter, where there is room for all lovers. The idea of a place where love is acknowledged and celebrated underpins the theme of the song. The third verse speaks of the singer's belief that their music may not be appreciated by Europeans who prefer fine wine and luxury, but they are willing to share their gift when asked. The closing line reinforces the idea of the singer's music as something that connects people, regardless of their appearance or origin.
Overall, Ketil Bjørnstad's "Saihukeis datter" presents the idea that music is a universal language that can bring people together and convey messages without the need for words. The singer's voice is depicted as a powerful tool with the ability to heal, connect and evoke emotion.
Line by Line Meaning
Saihukeis datter synger sanger uten ord
Saihukeis daughter sings songs without words.
Vi trenger ikke slikt her i vårt land.
We don't need that here in our land.
Min sang er ild og luft og vann
My song is fire and air and water.
Og denne mannen Schander han som reiste over havet
And this man Schander, who sailed across the sea.
Fra landet langt der nord
From the land far to the north.
Der triste mannfolk bor.
Where sad men live.
Jeg lærte ham en sang han lett forsto
I taught him a song he easily understood.
Nå bor han her på slettene blant oss
Now he lives here on the plains among us.
Saihukeis datter synger for hans venn
Saihukeis daughter sings for his friend.
Hans triste venn som går på gaten i Paris
His sad friend who walks the streets of Paris.
Min sang kan smelte all slags is
My song can melt all kinds of ice.
Hvis han vil reise langt og se
If he wants to travel far and see.
At ingenting er drømmer
That nothing is a dream.
Og at han ikke rømmer
And that he doesn't run away.
Hvis han seiler ned til
If he sails down to.
Saihukeis datter hun kan synge
Saihukeis daughter she can sing.
Det er plass til mangen foren elsker her.
There is room for many a lover here.
Kanskje er min sang litt rar for Europeere
Maybe my song is a bit strange for Europeans.
Med smak og stil og fineste konjakk
With taste and style and the finest cognac.
Jeg trenger ikke slikt, nei takk,
I don't need that, no thanks.
Men jeg sier ja hvis noen ber meg om å synge
But I say yes if someone asks me to sing.
Og store ting vil skje, urolige for fred
And big things will happen, uneasy for peace.
Ja hør de mørke dyrebare toner
Yes, listen to the dark, precious tones.
De som er av ild og luft og vann.
Those that are of fire and air and water.
Kanskje ser jeg ikke ut som alle damene
Maybe I don't look like all the ladies.
Som Schander sa farvel til langt der nord
Whom Schander said goodbye to far in the north.
Men det er vakkert der jeg bor.
But it's beautiful where I live.
Og du skal høre stemmen min i havets fjerne bulder
And you shall hear my voice in the distant roar of the sea.
I nattfuglenes skrik, og kanskje er du lik
In the cries of night birds, and maybe you are like me.
Meg selv, ja lenge leve Patagonia
Myself, yes long live Patagonia.
Hvis du vil se meg kan du komme hit.
If you want to see me, you can come here.
Contributed by Colin N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.