Maja Solveig Kjelstrup Ratkje, composer and performer (born Dec. 29th 1973 … Read Full Bio ↴Maja Solveig Kjelstrup Ratkje, composer and performer (born Dec. 29th 1973 in Trondheim, Norway), finished composition studies at the Norwegian State Academy of Music in Oslo in 2000. Her music has been heard all over Europe as well as in Japan, China, Canada, USA and eastern Russia. Her composed works have been performed by Klangforum Wien, Oslo Sinfonietta, The Norwegian Radio Orchestra, Fretwork, TM+, Arve Tellefsen, Cikada and Vertavo string quartets, Quatuor Renoir, Ticom, crashEnsemble, Torben Snekkestad, SPUNK, Frode Haltli, Rolf-Erik Nystrøm and Håkon Thelin in POING among others. Portrait concerts with her music has been heard in Toronto and Vienna, and she has received many awards and commissions from throughout the world such as the International Rostrum of Composers in Paris for composers below 30 years of age, she has received the Norwegian Edvard prize (work of the year) twice, second prize at the Russolo Foundation, and in 2001 she was the first composer ever to receive the Arne Nordheim prize. Her solo album «Voice», made in collaboration with Jazzkammer, got a Distinction Award at Prix Ars Electronica in 2003.

Ratkje is active as a singer/voice user and electronics player as well as studio engineer, mainly in connection with the contemporary improvisation ensemble SPUNK or as a solo artist. Other groups are the metal band Trinacria, duo with Jaap Blonk, the performance trio Agrare and a workers' songs collaboration with the acoustic trio POING. Ratkje has performed her own music for films, dance and theatre performances, installations, and numerous other projects. In 2003, she played a leading part in her own opera, based on the texts from the Nag Hammadi Library. In 2005 she performed the voice solo part of her first big work for orchestra, commissioned by Radio France.

Her scores are found at the Norwegian Music Information Centre and her records are released on Tzadik, rune grammofon, ECM, Kontrans, Albedo, Aurora, Asphodel, Important Records and others. Her homepage may be visited at www.ratkje.com

Joy
Maja S. K. Ratkje Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Been through a lot but I’m still here today
They aiming for me, but the grace in the way
Check out the drip man I ain’t come to play
I got a joy that you can’t take away
I took an L last year it was a blessing in disguise
I spent some time with the Lord found out He was on my side
I had friends jump ship when they told me they would ride
I was venting to my auntie and she told me not to cry (Woah)

My pastor told me to count my blessings
Man them church folk be messy
God by my side he never left me
Aye
You can’t take my joy
You can’t take my joy
You can’t take my joy
Goodness and favor surround me
I’m winning with people around me
I had some friends who had left me
Since they’ve been gone it’s blessings
You cannot stop me I’m on a new wave
A smile on my face they cannot take away
Each problem that comes I know will pass away
Im walking on promises God cannot break
Ohh
Do you believe your blessing is coming
Ohh
You can have it all but you can’t take my joy
You can’t take my joy
You can’t take my joy
You can’t take my joy
(Take my Joy, Take my Joy)
(Take my Joy, Take my Joy)
(Take my Joy, Take my Joy)

(Take my Joy, Take my Joy)
You can’t take my joy

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Maja S. K. Ratkje's song "Joy" express a sense of resilience and steadfastness in the face of adversity. The singer acknowledges that they have been through difficult times, but they are still standing today. Despite those who might be targeting them, the singer remains steadfast in their determination to succeed. They express confidence and pride in their achievements, "Check out the drip man I ain’t come to play," but more importantly, they have a deep-seated sense of joy that cannot be taken away from them.

The singer then reflects on past struggles, including the loss of friends and a challenging year. These difficult experiences, however, have taught them valuable lessons and brought them closer to their faith. They find solace and support in their relationship with God and in the wisdom of their loved ones, such as their auntie and pastor. Through it all, the singer's "joy" remains an unyielding force that provides them with a sense of strength and purpose.

Line by Line Meaning

Been through a lot but I’m still here today
I have faced and overcome multiple challenges in life, but I’m still standing strong today.

They aiming for me, but the grace in the way
People may be trying to hurt me, but my ability to be gracious in response overpowers their negative intentions and actions.

Check out the drip man I ain’t come to play
I’m not here to mess around, I’m here to succeed and show off my unique style and talent.

I got a joy that you can’t take away
Regardless of external circumstances, I have a deep sense of inner joy and contentment that can never be taken away from me.

I took an L last year it was a blessing in disguise
Although I experienced a loss last year, it ultimately turned out to be a positive event that led to growth and learning.

I spent some time with the Lord found out He was on my side
Through my faith and prayer, I have realized that God is always with me and supporting me in my endeavors.

I had friends jump ship when they told me they would ride
Some of my supposed friends abandoned me when they promised they would stand by me through thick and thin.

I was venting to my auntie and she told me not to cry (Woah)
When I expressed my frustration and sadness to my aunt, she comforted me and encouraged me not to give in to my negative emotions.

My pastor told me to count my blessings
My spiritual leader advised me to focus on the good in my life rather than dwelling on the difficulties.

Man them church folk be messy
Sometimes people in the church community can be gossipy and intrusive.

God by my side he never left me
I have faith that God has always been and will continue to be with me, even in the toughest times.

You can’t take my joy
No one has the power to steal or diminish the joy and positivity that I harbor within myself.

Goodness and favor surround me
I am surrounded by positive energy and good fortune.

I’m winning with people around me
My success is amplified by the supportive and uplifting people in my life.

I had some friends who had left me
Some of my friends have chosen to part ways with me.

Since they’ve been gone it’s blessings
Since their departure, I have experienced an abundance of positive outcomes and opportunities.

You cannot stop me I’m on a new wave
No one can impede my progress or success, as I am on the path to a new and exciting chapter in my life.

A smile on my face they cannot take away
Even if others try to bring me down, I will always maintain my positive demeanor and outlook on life.

Each problem that comes I know will pass away
I have confidence that every obstacle I face will eventually come to an end and be resolved.

Im walking on promises God cannot break
I trust in the promises of God, which are unbreakable and unwavering.

Do you believe your blessing is coming
Are you optimistic that good things are on the horizon and eagerly await your arrival?

You can have it all but you can’t take my joy
Even if someone has everything they desire, they cannot take away the inner joy and peace that I possess.

(Take my Joy, Take my Joy)
Reiteration of the message that my joy is unshakable and cannot be taken away.

You can’t take my joy
Final affirmation that despite any external factors, my joy will remain constant and unwavering.

Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Hobnir Laventure, Lucson Joseph, Sammy Rigaud

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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