Solveig Slettahjell is a Norwegian jazz singer. Slettahjell was a student o… Read Full Bio ↴Solveig Slettahjell is a Norwegian jazz singer. Slettahjell was a student of renowned Norwegian singer Sidsel Endresen, with whom she collaborated recently in Jon Balke's Batagraf ensemble (Statements, ECM, 2005). She recorded with the experimental all-female vocal quartet Kvitretten, with jazz singers Eldbjørg Raknes, Kristin Asbjörnsen and Tone Åse, and teaches jazz singing at the Norwegian Academy of Music.

Blå Salme
Solveig Slettahjell Lyrics

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Jeg synger meg en blå, blå salme
når dagen svinger hatten til farvel
og ror med sakte åretak mot strender,
dit alle dager ror når det blir kveld.
Da søker jeg min hvile
ved treets trygge rot
og sankthansormer gløder grønt
i gresset ved min fot.

Da synger jeg min salme.

Jeg synger meg en blå, blå salme
og takker for all grøde som ble min.
For lyse døgn, for barneskritt i tunet
og dine gode kjærtegn mot mitt kinn.
Men òg for våkenetter
som aldri unte ro,
men gav min dag et dunkelt drag jeg aldri helt forsto.
Nå synger jeg min salme.

Jeg synger meg en blå, blå salme
til deg, du hånd som sanker og som sår
og senker deg med signing over jorden
og legedom for alle våre sår.
Som ber oss rette ryggen
stå opp og gå i strid.
Med løftet hode skal hver sjel

gå inn i Herrens tid.
Så synger vi vår salme.

Overall Meaning

The song Blå Salme by Solveig Slettahjell is a beautiful and introspective ballad that speaks about finding solace in music during difficult times. The singer begins by saying that she sings a blue hymn when the day swings its hat for farewell, and rows towards shores where all days row when it becomes night. She seeks comfort at the roots of a tree and watches as glowworms light up the grass blades. The blue hymn provides a comforting presence that the singer leans on during difficult times.

In the second verse, the singer continues to thank for all the abundance in her life, such as light-filled days, children's steps on the doorstep and the warm caress on her cheek by a loved one. She also thanks for sleepless nights that never granted her any rest but added a dark tinge to her day that she could never fully understand. Despite the challenges, the singer is grateful for everything in her life.

Lastly, the singer offers the blue hymn to the hand that plucks and sows, and praises it for bringing healing to everyone's wounds. The hand that offers redemption, commands the singer to stand up, hold her head high, and face the Lord's time. The song concludes with the whole of humanity joining in the singing of the hymn. In essence, the song is a prayer of gratitude, hope, and faith in the face of difficult times.

Line by Line Meaning

Jeg synger meg en blå, blå salme
I sing myself a blue, blue hymn

når dagen svinger hatten til farvel
When the day tips its hat goodbye

og ror med sakte åretak mot strender,
And row with slow strokes towards the shore,

dit alle dager ror når det blir kveld.
Where all days row when evening comes.

Da søker jeg min hvile
Then I seek my rest

ved treets trygge rot
By the safe roots of a tree

og sankthansormer gløder grønt
And glowworms glow green

i gresset ved min fot.
In the grass by my feet.

Da synger jeg min salme.
Then I sing my hymn.

og takker for all grøde som ble min.
And give thanks for all the abundance that came my way.

For lyse døgn, for barneskritt i tunet
For bright days, for childhood steps in the yard