Northern Lights
Sjaella Lyrics
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Pulchra es, amica mea
Suavis et decora filia Jerusalem
Pulchra es, amica mea
Pulchra es, amica mea
Pulchra es, amica mea
Pulchra es, amica mea
Suavis et decora sicut Jerusalem
Et decora sicut Jerusalem
Et decora sicut Jerusalem
Terribilis (Pulchra es)
Ut castrorum (Pulchra es)
Acies (Pulchra es)
Ordinata (Pulchra es)
Averte (Pulchra es)
Oculos tuos a me (Pulchra es)
Quia ipsi me (Pulchra es)
Avolare fecerunt (Amica mea)
Pulchra es, amica mea
Pulchra es, amica mea
Pulchra es, amica mea
Suavis et decora sicut Jerusalem
Pulchra es, amica mea
Suavis et decora sicut Jerusalem
Et decora filia Jerusalem
Et decora filia Jerusalem
Et decora sicut Jerusalem
(Pulchra es)
(Pulchra es)
The lyrics to Sjaella's song "Northern Lights" are taken from the biblical Song of Solomon, a collection of love poetry. The opening line, "Pulchra es, amica mea" translates to "You are beautiful, my love." The following line, "Suavis et decora filia Jerusalem," means "Sweet and lovely daughter of Jerusalem." The repetition of "Pulchra es, amica mea" serves to emphasize the beauty of the subject, and the subsequent lines continue the theme of beauty and loveliness.
The next section of the song changes focus somewhat, with the lines "Terribilis ut castrorum, acies ordinata," which translate to "Terrible as an army set in array." This adds a somewhat ominous quality to the song but is still within the theme of the beauty and power of the subject. The final two lines, "Averte oculos tuos a me, quia ipsi me avolare fecerunt," mean "Turn your eyes away from me, because they have made me fly away," and give a sense of distance and separation in the relationship being described.
Overall, the lyrics to "Northern Lights" are a poetic celebration of beauty and love, drawing from biblical language and imagery to create a sense of wonder and awe.
Line by Line Meaning
Pulchra es, amica mea
You are beautiful, my love
Suavis et decora filia Jerusalem
Sweet and lovely daughter of Jerusalem
Et decora sicut Jerusalem
And as beautiful as Jerusalem
Terribilis (Pulchra es)
You are terrible (in a reverential sense) in your beauty
Ut castrorum (Pulchra es)
Like the encampments in their order and formation
Acies (Pulchra es)
Like the battle lines
Ordinata (Pulchra es)
Arranged in perfect order
Averte (Pulchra es)
Turn away (your eyes)
Oculos tuos a me (Pulchra es)
Your eyes from me
Quia ipsi me (Pulchra es)
For they have made me fly away
Avolare fecerunt (Amica mea)
My love
Et decora filia Jerusalem
And beautiful daughter of Jerusalem
Pulchra es
You are beautiful
Suavis et decora sicut Jerusalem
Sweet and lovely, like Jerusalem
Writer(s): Dp, Ola Gjeilo
Contributed by Benjamin K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sri Qamarrul Nizan Sulaiman Said
The moment they sang their first note, I was completely enchanted at how incredible, almost angelic, their vocals are... never have I imagined that it is possible to be controlling ones vocals like that... I ended up listening 3 more times... great job ladies... wishing you all the best from Singapore...!
James
Same. Having listened to a lot of choral music over the years and sung in a few groups myself, I've come to appreciate how there is an additional dimension to a vocal group which is not just talent, practice and skill, but the selection and matching of the members' voices to each other. You can have two people with amazing, brilliant voices, incredible talent and skill, and vast experience, but their tones might just not match. This group is exception not only for their performance but for how well they've matched their voices.
YourFriendlyKillerNext Door
Dear Friend, You never want to meet an Angel in person. Live long and well!
Jonathan Burton Healing
@YourFriendlyKillerNext Door why do you mean by this? This piece really channels the angelic realm for me
Ravyn Me
It's so heartbreaking to listen to good pieces on YouTube sound bad, so coming across this was amazing. I felt close to as moved as I could have been live. Thank you!
Liam Strand
OMG the dissonance at at 2:09 and the silence and the entrance at 2:19. Just makes my heart sing. The rests are oft neglected, but you did a beautiful job.
dizzielizzie818
YES!
The Becky Squad
it just sounds like a ringing in the ears! the animosity! make it STOP! DX
paper kay
It's spooky how some people can sing. I can't even talk well, or even whistle. Like they have a whole extra set of lungs or something. It's magical.
lowstringc
paper kay - talent, maybe, but singing like this (read: “genuine singing”) takes much training, disciplined practice, and years of high level experience.