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
Ravnen
Sorten Muld Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
om dagen han ikke må
Den skal have den onde lykke
den gode ikke kan få
- Men ravnen flyver om aftenen -
"Hør mig hør mig du vilde valravn
kom flyv herned til mig
om du vil hjælpe mig
Min stedmoder har forvist min kære
til fjernt og fremmed land
Røden guld vil jeg dig give
før mig til ham om du kan"
"Sølv og guld og ædelstene
vil jeg ikke af dig have
Men den første søn I føder
skal I skænke mig som gave"
Irmelin lagde sin hvide hånd
alt på den ravnefod
og før end nætter tre var gået
frem for kæresten hun stod
Det var i den lyse sommer
de lå i brudeseng
og før end måneder ni var gået
fødte Irmelin en dreng
Ravnen flyver om aftenen
den flyver til Irmelin
"Husk I bærer den onde lykke
husk at drengen han er min"
- Men ravnen flyver om aftenen -
The song Ravnen by Sorten Muld is a folk song that tells the story of a raven who only flies in the evening and is believed to bring bad luck. The singer of the song calls out to the raven, offering it silver and gold if it will help her. She explains that her stepmother has banished her lover to a distant land, and she wants the raven to take her to him. The raven agrees to help her under the condition that the first child she bears will be given to him as a gift.
The singer agrees to the raven's request and places her hand on the raven's foot. Within three nights, she is reunited with her lover, and before nine months pass, she gives birth to a son. However, the raven returns to remind her that the child belongs to him and that he brings bad luck. The song ultimately ends with the raven continuing to fly in the evening, serving as a reminder of the bargain made with the singer.
Overall, the story told in Ravnen is a classic tale of a deal made with the devil or a supernatural being. The song's lyrics also highlight the belief in the symbolism of birds, particularly ravens, as they are often associated with death and misfortune.
Line by Line Meaning
Ravnen flyver om aftenen
The raven flies in the evening
Om dagen han ikke må
He is not allowed to during the day
Den skal have den onde lykke
It shall have the bad luck
Den gode ikke kan få
That which the good cannot have
Men ravnen flyver om aftenen
But the raven flies in the evening
Hør mig hør mig du vilde valravn
Hear me! Hear me! You wild raven
kom flyv herned til mig
Come fly down to me
Hviden sølv vil jeg dig give
I will give you white silver
om du vil hjælpe mig
If you will help me
Min stedmoder har forvist min kære
My stepmother has banished my beloved
til fjernt og fremmed land
To a distant and foreign land
Røden guld vil jeg dig give
I will give you red gold
før mig til ham om du kan
Bring me to him if you can
Sølv og guld og ædelstene
Silver and gold and precious stones
vil jeg ikke af dig have
I do not want those from you
Men den første søn I føder
But the first son you bear
skal I skænke mig som gave
Shall be given to me as a gift
Irmelin lagde sin hvide hånd
Irmelin placed her white hand
alt på den ravnefod
Completely on the raven's foot
og før end nætter tre var gået
And before three nights had passed
frem for kæresten hun stod
She stood before her boyfriend
Det var i den lyse sommer
It was in the bright summer
de lå i brudeseng
They lay in the bridal bed
og før end måneder ni var gået
And before nine months had passed
fødte Irmelin en dreng
Irmelin gave birth to a boy
Husk I bærer den onde lykke
Remember you carry the bad luck
husk at drengen han er min
Remember, the boy is mine
Contributed by Aaliyah I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.