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
Kirstin
Sorten Muld Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
- endnu går dansen i engen -
hun plukkede blomster hvide og blå
gjorde en krans til sin kære
Aldrig så snarlig var kransen gjort
før den var ført til faderens bord
ingen skulle krænke hans ære
Faderen talte til sine mænd
"Find denne bejler og bring ham herhen
giv ham til kokken at skære"
Bejleren lagdes på kokkens bord
De kogte hans hjerte med blomster i flor
og retten til Kirstin de bærer
Aldrig hun smagte så skøn en ret
"Mit hjerte det bliver så underligt let
hvordan kan det være"
Dertil da svarede den kokkedreng
"Det er din bejlers hjerte i fem
Det er hans liv du fortærer"
Kirstin tog kanden for munden og drak
- endnu gik dansen i engen -
Hun drak indtil hjertet i livet udsprak
snart lå hun bleg ved hans gærde
The song "Kirstin" by Sorten Muld tells the story of a young woman named Kirstin who wanders out into the fields picking white and blue flowers to make a wreath for someone she loves. However, before she can even finish making the wreath, her father commands his men to find and bring the suitor to him. The father then orders the suitor's heart to be cooked with the flowers used in the wreath, and the dish is served to Kirstin. Unknowingly, she eats the dish containing her suitor's heart and remarks on how delicious it tastes. When she questions how it could be so good, the kitchen boy informs her that it was her suitor's heart she was eating, and Kirstin drinks herself to death soon after.
The lyrics of "Kirstin" paint a brutal picture of the consequences of disobeying a father's wishes and speak to the themes of betrayal, deception, and loss. Kirstin's tragic fate highlights the dangers of blindly trusting those in positions of power and the importance of paying attention to the intentions and actions of those around us.
Line by Line Meaning
Kirstin vandred' ud i abilgård
Kirstin walked out to the meadow
- endnu går dansen i engen -
- the dance is still going on in the meadow -
hun plukkede blomster hvide og blå
she picked white and blue flowers
gjorde en krans til sin kære
made a wreath for her beloved
Aldrig så snarlig var kransen gjort
The wreath was never finished so quickly
før den var ført til faderens bord
before it was brought to her father's table
ingen skulle krænke hans ære
no one should dishonor her father
Faderen talte til sine mænd
Father spoke to his men
"Find denne bejler og bring ham herhen
"Find this suitor and bring him here
giv ham til kokken at skære."
give him to the cook to chop up."
Bejleren lagdes på kokkens bord
The suitor was laid on the cook's table
De kogte hans hjerte med blomster i flor
They boiled his heart with flowers in bloom
og retten til Kirstin de bærer
and brought the dish to Kirstin
Aldrig hun smagte så skøn en ret
She never tasted such a delicious meal
"Mit hjerte det bliver så underligt let
"My heart feels strangely light
hvordan kan det være"
how can that be?"
Dertil da svarede den kokkedreng
The cook's boy replied,
"Det er din bejlers hjerte i fem
"It's your suitor's heart in there,
Det er hans liv du fortærer"
you are consuming his life."
Kirstin tog kanden for munden og drak
Kirstin took the pitcher to her mouth and drank
- endnu gik dansen i engen -
- the dance was still going on in the meadow -
Hun drak indtil hjertet i livet udsprak
She drank until the heart in her chest gave out
snart lå hun bleg ved hans gærde
Soon she lay pale by his grave
Contributed by Nathan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.