Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of a relationship that starts with closeness but quickly devolves into conflict and escalating violence. The first night is described as tender, with "kjeldest me og klappast" (cuddled and patted). However, this intimacy is short-lived, as the second night sees them "Slåst me som hund og katta" (fighting like a dog and cat). This immediate shift establishes a core tension: a desire for connection warring with an inability to coexist peacefully. The narrator's suffering is palpable, encapsulated by the repeated refrain, "Aldri såg eg dagen god / Nei, aldri fekk eg nattero / For kjerringa" (I never saw the day well / No, I never got night's rest / Because of the woman). This persistent plea highlights the overwhelming, all-consuming nature of the domestic strife. The situation escalates dramatically on the third night when the woman "beit ho av meg øyre" (bit off my ear), leaving the narrator with impaired hearing. This physical assault underscores the extreme danger and desperation of the narrator's situation. The narrative then shifts to the narrator's attempts to escape. He takes a boat to the other side, only for the woman to follow in a "bakstetrau" (baking trough), arriving at the same time. He tries to flee again, this time by riding to the priest on his "gangar grå" (grey horse), but she pursues him on a "skabbete merr" (mangy mare), again matching his speed. These parallel pursuits, with the woman always present and matching his escape attempts, emphasize the inescapable nature of his torment. Finally, the lyrics reveal a dark resolution. The narrator expresses profound relief, stating, "no er eg så hjartans glad / For no er eg aleine" (now I am so heartily glad / Because now I am alone). The source of his newfound peace is the woman's demise: "ligg nede på havsens botn / Og velta på svære steine" (lies down on the ocean's bottom / And rolling on big stones). The narrator's joy is directly tied to her death, and he finally achieves the peace he craved, concluding with "No så hev eg dagen god / No så hev eg nattero" (Now I have the day well / Now I have night's rest).