Menuets is often regarded as one of the most influential rock bands in Latv… Read Full Bio ↴Menuets is often regarded as one of the most influential rock bands in Latvia. They gained popularity by performing songs provided by legendary Latvian composer Imants Kalniņš. The band was formed in 1968 when six students from Jūrmala, Latvia started performing together, being largely inspired by The Beatles. Often playing with home-made instruments and using elaborate rock music compositions, the band has generally been dubbed the first Latvian art rock and progressive rock ensemble.

The original lineup consisted of Andris Kronbergs, Adrians Kukuvass, Juris Sējāns, Leons Sējāns, Raimonds Bartašēvics and Alberts Bartašēvics. In the early 70's the band was joined by flautist Baiba Jēgere and vocalist Inese Pabērza. This classic lineup in the coming years was augmented by various other musicians.

Menuets ended active recording and touring in 1987. They have played some shows between 1992 and 2008.

In 2014, the band announced Menuets 45th anniversary tour.

Raganas dziesmiņa pēc sprieduma pasludināšanas
Menuets Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Saule riet, saule riet,
Aiz tālām(i) galotnēm.
Saule riet, saule riet,
Aiz tālām(i) galotnēm.
Tur saulīti dzelžos slēgs
Deviņām(i) atslēgām.
Tur saulīti dzelžos slēgs
Deviņām(i) atslēgām.

Tur saulīti pratinās,
Tur saulīte sapīsies,
Tur saulīte atzīsies -
Nobūrusi, nobūrusi.

Kad tā saule atkal lēks,
Manas ķēdes vaļā slēgs.
Uguns ņems acu gaismu,
Manu jaunu augumiņ′.

Tad, varbūt, lai tā saule
Paliek dzelžu dzelžos slēgta?
Tad, varbūt, neļaut vairs
It nekad tai saulei lēktu?

Nē, tiesnesi, taisnais!
Nē, bende, bēdīgais!
Un jūs, liecinieki,
Pie saviem priekiem!

Klausieties, klausieties,
Ausis taču jums dzirdīgas...

Lai uguns iziet caur manu sirdi!

Tu man briesmās staru sviedi!
Atceries?
Nu tad, saule, ziedi, ziedi
Un atceries!

Miežu vilki, rudzu vilki,
Skrieniet sauli atbrīvot!
Sāpi nevar pārsāpēt,
Skrieniet ķēdes pārzāģēt!

Paldies, mani dieva suņi,
Rīts dej vienās magonēs!

Tie nav prauli, malduguņi,

Saule lēc,
Saule lēc!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Raganas dziesmiņa pēc sprieduma pasludināšanas" by Menuets speak of the sun setting behind distant landmarks, and how the sun will eventually be locked away behind nine keys. The sun will then be inspected, judged, and found guilty, leading to its confinement and preventing it from rising again. The song then turns more metaphorical, describing how the sun's confinement could lead to a new beginning for the singer - "Uguns ņems acu gaismu, Manu jaunu augumiņ′" ("Fire will take the eye's light, My new growth") - and wondering if this could be the start of a new era in which the sun does not rise.

The next section of the song takes a more confrontational tone, with the singer addressing the judge, police, and witnesses in the song's story asserting their innocence and begging for release. The song concludes with a mix of despair and hope, acknowledging the distressing reality of their situation but also celebrating the sunrise and hoping that it represents a new beginning.

Line by Line Meaning

Saule riet, saule riet,
The sun sets, the sun sets,

Aiz tālām(i) galotnēm.
Behind far-off horizons.

Tur saulīti dzelžos slēgs
There they will lock the sun

Deviņām(i) atslēgām.
With nine locks.

Tur saulīti pratinās,
There they will question the sun,

Tur saulīte sapīsies,
There the sun will grow faint,

Tur saulīte atzīsies -
There the sun will admit -

Nobūrusi, nobūrusi.
Tired, exhausted.

Kad tā saule atkal lēks,
When the sun will rise again,

Manas ķēdes vaļā slēgs.
My chains will be unlocked.

Uguns ņems acu gaismu,
Fire will take the light from my eyes,