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
Ulver
Sorten Muld Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Vil du være allerkæresten min
Så vil jeg føre dig til den ø
hvor vi skal leve og aldrig dø'
og folen fører liget over heden
'Der er kildevæld der springer med vin
Ja, der er vældekilder der springer med vin
Tro på min tale allerkæresten min'
Da de kom udi grønnem lund
lyster Hr. Ulver at hvile en stund
Stolt Vænelil ned på jorden sad
mens Ulver han kaster så dyb en grav
'Hør nu Ulver hvad jeg siger dig
Hvortil skal den grav du gør?
Til Eders hest er den for trang
men til Eders hund er den for lang'
Ulver svarer stolt Vænelil
'Graven er til dig allerkæresten min
Otte jomfruer har jeg gilt
jeg har dem alle fra livet skilt'
Alt sad Vænelil og tænkte ved sig
'Nu må mine runer hjælpe mig'
'Gerne jeg for dig i graven går
men lad mig først rede dit fagre hår'
Han lagde sit hoved i hendes skød
og sov en søvn så dyb og sød
Så lister hun sværdet ud af hans favn
og hugger Hr. Ulver for hund og ravn
og folen fører liget over heden
The lyrics of Sorten Muld's song, Ulver, follow a narrative structure that tells the story of Ulver, a proud, self-assured character who asks Vænelil to be his beloved. He promises to lead her to an island where they can live a life together, forever. As they ride on a horse, they come across a field where there is a spring filled with wine. Ulver encourages Vænelil to believe in his words and tells her that they will have plenty to drink.
Further on their journey, they arrive at a peaceful, green meadow, and Ulver expresses his desire to rest. However, Vænelil senses something dark in Ulver's intentions and asks him why he has dug such a deep hole. Ulver tells her that the grave is for her, and he has already killed eight virgins before. Vænelil realizes that she has to act fast and uses her magic runes to cut off Ulver's head and bury him in the hole intended for her. Ultimately, she takes control of her own fate and leaves with the horse, leading the body of Ulver across the heath.
The song's lyrics tell a story that is steeped in Norse mythology and folklore. The theme of a woman using her wit and intelligence to outsmart a man is common in many traditional tales. The song is written in Danish and is full of archaic language that is designed to evoke a sense of ancient mythology. They sing of "runes" and "spring of wine," which hold importance in Norse mythology.
Another fascinating thing about the song is the musical arrangement. It is a danceable, upbeat folk tune that has an almost mystical quality to it. The melody of the song is catchy and infectious, and the combination of the lyrics and the music creates a unique, captivating experience for the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
Ulver han spørger stolt Vænelil
The proud Ulver asks Vænelil
'Vil du være allerkæresten min
'Will you be my dearest one
Så vil jeg føre dig til den ø
Then I will take you to the island
hvor vi skal leve og aldrig dø'
Where we will live and never die
og folen fører liget over heden
And the horse carries the body across the heath
'Der er kildevæld der springer med vin
'There are springs that flow with wine
Tro på min tale allerkæresten min
Believe my words, my dearest
Ja, der er vældekilder der springer med vin
Yes, there are wellsprings that flow with wine
Da de kom udi grønnem lund
When they came into the green grove
lyster Hr. Ulver at hvile en stund
Lord Ulver desires to rest for a while
Stolt Vænelil ned på jorden sad
Proud Vænelil sat down on the ground
mens Ulver han kaster så dyb en grav
While Ulver digs such a deep grave
'Hør nu Ulver hvad jeg siger dig
'Listen now Ulver to what I say
Hvortil skal den grav du gør?
Why are you digging that grave?
Til Eders hest er den for trang
It's too small for your horse
men til Eders hund er den for lang'
But it's too long for your dog
Ulver svarer stolt Vænelil
Ulver answers proudly to Vænelil
'Graven er til dig allerkæresten min
'The grave is for you my dearest
Otte jomfruer har jeg gilt
I have won eight maidens
jeg har dem alle fra livet skilt'
I have separated them all from life
Alt sad Vænelil og tænkte ved sig
Vænelil sat and thought to herself
'Nu må mine runer hjælpe mig'
'Now my runes must help me'
'Gerne jeg for dig i graven går
'I will go into the grave for you gladly
men lad mig først rede dit fagre hår'
But let me first comb your lovely hair
Han lagde sit hoved i hendes skød
He laid his head in her lap
og sov en søvn så dyb og sød
And slept a sleep so deep and sweet
Så lister hun sværdet ud af hans favn
Then she steals the sword from his embrace
og hugger Hr. Ulver for hund og ravn
And strikes Lord Ulver for the hounds and ravens
og folen fører liget over heden
And the horse carries the body across the heath
Contributed by Kaitlyn E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.