Nicolai Dunger is a singer and acoustic songwriter from Piteå in Sweden. He… Read Full Bio ↴Nicolai Dunger is a singer and acoustic songwriter from Piteå in Sweden. He has released eleven EPs and albums, singing primarily in English, and collaborated notably with Will Oldham, Mercury Rev, the Esbjörn Svensson jazz trio and Ebbot Lundberg.

Biography

A former football player, Nicolai was signed by the Telegram label of Warner records, releasing two albums that did not sell enough copies to enable him to give up his part-time job as a gardener.

A meeting with Ebbot Lundberg of the Swedish band Soundtrack of our Lives led to two further albums, a tour with Emiliana Torrini and the use of one of his songs in an advertisement for an oil company. This small influx of cash enabled the production of a trio of vinyl albums with the Esbjörn Svensson jazz trio.

This steady production of somewhat experimental acoustic music attracted the attention of Americana luminaries Will Oldham and Jonathan Donahue, and a contract with the Dolores Recordings branch of Virgin Records followed. The first album on this label, Soul Rush with backing from the Esbjörn Svensson trio attracted some limited attention in 2001, but the next album, 2003's Tranquil Isolation, achieved widespread, especially thanks to its input from Will Oldham.

A third album, Here's My Song, You Can Have It followed in 2004.

He is currently touring the USA with Mercury Rev.

I'd Rather Die
Nicolai Dunger Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I´d rather die than to have you around.
May trouble come, may trouble go
far across the sea - without you and me.
But it's ok, if you want to hold my hand
When it gets dark, I'll leave a spark
upon your weary sky for you to rest and find.
everlasting rest.
For For that's what you miss in our love

I know that's what you miss

I'd rather die than say goodbye
you will be strong, but not for long
far across the sea, our hands are joined and free
In an everlating prayer
for those who are lost and lonley
My love, that's what we are

everlasting rest
everlating pryer - that's what we need

Overall Meaning

The lyrics in Nicolai Dunger's song "I'd Rather Die" seem to express a deep desire for separation from the person he's singing to. He'd rather die than have them around, and he's willing to deal with trouble so long as it takes them far away from each other. He refers to himself and his partner being far across the sea, away from each other and free. However, he's not completely against physical contact, stating that it's okay for them to hold hands, but it seems as though he still doesn't want to be close to them.

The artist then sings about leaving a spark in the sky for his partner to rest and find an everlasting rest, which is what the singer believes has been missing from their love. The chorus repeats the sentiment that he'd rather die than say goodbye to his partner, and they're joined in an everlasting prayer for those lost and lonely, as that's what they are.

Dunger's lyrics seem to express an intense desire for separation and an acknowledgement that their love is not providing the rest and connection that they need. The idea of an everlasting prayer for those lost and lonely may indicate a sense of unfulfillment or a desire to find deeper connections beyond just the romantic relationship.

Line by Line Meaning

I´d rather die than to have you around.
I prefer death to being with you.

May trouble come, may trouble go
Difficulties may arise and pass.

far across the sea - without you and me.
We can be separated by distance.

But it's ok, if you want to hold my hand
It's fine if you want physical contact with me.

When it gets dark, I'll leave a spark
I'll provide light in times of darkness.

upon your weary sky for you to rest and find.
I'll help ease your tired mind.

everlasting rest.
A peaceful, continuous rest.

For that's what you miss in our love
That's what you're longing for in our relationship.

I know that's what you miss
I'm aware of what you're yearning for.

I'd rather die than say goodbye
I'd choose death over ending things with you.

you will be strong, but not for long
You'll be brave, but it won't last forever.