Their music can be characterized by elegantly composed rhythms, floating sound of typical folk-instruments like bagpipes, flutes and violins, in an electronica-composition that supports the dramatic lyrics. Some tracks on Mark II are up-beat with only few lyrics and could also be characterized as dance or techno.
The lyrics are old stories from Danish folk tradition, about jealousy, murder and creatures. In Kirstin from Mark II a father serves a meal of his daughter's boyfriend's heart for her. In Ulver from Mark III a man takes his girlfriend into the forest to kill her and bury her without her knowledge. He falls asleep and she cuts him in pieces with his own sword.
Sorten Muld has also published a concept album called Jord, Luft, Ild, Vand (Earth, Air, Fire, Water) – a mostly instrumental journey through the classic elements. The album is a remastered recording from a live show at Bornholm.
Members:
* Ulla Bendixen - Vocals
* Martin Ottosen - Musician-Architect
* Henrik Munch - Technician
(all after this point appear on III only)
* Søren Bendixen - Guitar
* Harald Haugaard - Viola, Violin, Hurdy-Gurdy
* Johannes Hejl - Double bass
* Niels Kilele - Percussion
* Tommy Nissen - Drums
* Martin Seeberg - Bagpipe, Flute, Jewish harp
www.sortenmuld.dk
Harald Kongen
Sorten Muld Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Han talte til sine mænd
"Hvem skal ud i Troldebjerg
for at hente min datter hjem"
- Før gryr ikke dagen -
"Mange mænd er draget ud
men ingen er vendt tilbage
skal hende og rigdom have"
Det var Asmund Fægdagjæva
Han var for de ord ej bange
"Jeg skal drage afsted i skibet,
I kalder Ormen Lange"
Da han kom til Troldebjerg
og fandt i bjerget ind
Blodet flød på de kolde sten
og ormene krøb omkring
Ind da kom den væne viv
som Asmund ville vinde
Håret var som spundet guld
Aldrig så han så smuk en kvinde
Nede ved den brede strand
var skibet drevet bort
"Når vi ikke til kongen hjem
skinner solen for altid sort"
- Før gryr ikke dagen -
The lyrics to Sorten Muld's song Harald Kongen are a narrative about King Harald and his request for a brave soul to venture into Troldebjerg in order to retrieve his daughter. Many men had attempted to bring the princess back but had failed to return. The brave and fearless Asmund Fægdagjæva heeded the call to adventure and set sail on the Ormen Lange. Upon arriving at Troldebjerg, Asmund found a gruesome scene where blood flowed on the cold stones and worms slithered around. It was there that he came across the beautiful maiden, whose hair was spun like gold. Asmund knew that he had to win her heart and bring her back to the king to receive his reward of both her and the riches that came with her.
Line by Line Meaning
Ind kom Harald Kongen
Harald Kongen entered the scene
Han talte til sine mænd
He spoke to his men
"Hvem skal ud i Troldebjerg
for at hente min datter hjem"
- Før gryr ikke dagen -
"Who will go to Troldebjerg to bring my daughter home" - but not until dawn
"Mange mænd er draget ud
men ingen er vendt tilbage
Den der bringer min datter hjem
skal hende og rigdom have"
"Many men have gone, but none have returned. Whoever brings my daughter back will have her and riches."
Det var Asmund Fægdagjæva
Han var for de ord ej bange
"Jeg skal drage afsted i skibet,
I kalder Ormen Lange"
Asmund Fægdagjæva was not afraid of the challenge. "I will go in the ship called Ormen Lange."
Da han kom til Troldebjerg
og fandt i bjerget ind
Blodet flød på de kolde sten
og ormene krøb omkring
When he arrived at Troldebjerg and entered the mountain, he found blood flowing on the cold stones and snakes crawling about.
Ind da kom den væne viv
som Asmund ville vinde
Håret var som spundet guld
Aldrig så han så smuk en kvinde
Then came the fair maiden that Asmund hoped to win over. Her hair was spun like gold, and he had never seen a more beautiful woman.
Nede ved den brede strand
var skibet drevet bort
"Når vi ikke til kongen hjem
skinner solen for altid sort"
- Før gryr ikke dagen -
At the shore, the ship had drifted away. "If we don't make it back to the king, the sun will shine forever black" - but not until dawn.
Contributed by Alexandra M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.