Dovreslow

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a surreal, almost cartoonish picture of entering the Dovregubben's hall, a mythical space from Norwegian folklore. It opens with Peer Gynt, a character known for his escapades, feeling a bit out of place amidst trolls and mythical beings. The scene is set with a blend of classical music (Sæverud and Grieg) and a more whimsical, almost drunken "trall" from the trolls. The invitation from Dovregubben himself, "Det er bare hyggelig at slekta banker på" (It's just nice that the family knocks), sets a tone of bizarre, familial welcome into this strange domain. The narrative then shifts to a more active, almost chaotic procession into the hall, led by "miss Norway" dressed for a festival and "Trysil-Knut" on skis. This juxtaposition of traditional folklore figures with modern or distinctly Norwegian archetypes creates a sense of playful anachronism. The call to "Kom alle troll i ur og koll" (Come all trolls from root and rock) and to "Ta søndags-halen på" (Put on your Sunday tail) further emphasizes a festive, if slightly absurd, gathering. The recurring line, "Ja, la oss skli direkte inn i Dovregubbens hall / Til toner av en medbrakt melodi" (Yes, let's slide directly into Dovregubben's hall / To tunes of a brought-along melody), suggests a deliberate, almost performative entry into this fantastical realm. A striking shift occurs with the introduction of Fossegrimen (the Nix or water spirit), whose fiddle sounds "ynkelig og sår" (pitiful and sore). His lament about "tørrfisk nå i år" (dried fish this year) and joining a "hobbyklubben" (hobby club) is a humorous, modern twist on a mythical figure, implying a loss of relevance or a mundane retirement. He then prepares for a "tussefest" (troll feast), gathering bizarre ingredients like "Tarmstrenger, hesterumpe" (gut strings, horse's rump). This section contrasts the grand, if strange, welcome of the hall with the more personal, slightly pathetic state of a mythical being. The lyrics then pivot to directly address a hesitant observer, "Du pikelill / Som sitter still / Og fryser på ditt kinn" (You little girl / Who sits still / And freezes on your cheek). The narrator insists that this observer, despite their apparent coldness and detachment, carries "slekta melodi" (the family's melody) within their heart and that their "ryggens siste hvirvel er din pant" (spine's last vertebra is your pledge). This is a powerful, almost forceful invitation, suggesting that even the most withdrawn individual is intrinsically connected to this lineage and this fantastical world. The final lines, "Vi bærer deg på strake armer Rondeporten inn" (We carry you on straight arms into Rondeporten), offer a sense of communal embrace and inclusion, pulling the reluctant participant into the bizarre, festive heart of the Dovregubben's hall.