Bannlyst

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of scapegoating, where "trolls" are blamed for the world's ills. The narrator observes how the "belief in evil" is maintained by attributing all that is wrong to these figures. It's a stark portrayal of how easy it is to point fingers, suggesting a societal tendency to find external culprits for internal problems. The repeated assertion that "all that is wrong is aimed at such" highlights this persistent blame game. This creates a central tension between the perceived malice of the "trolls" and the underlying reality presented by the narrator. While some claim "children are prey" to these entities, the lyrics also state that "good and bad, they care for their own." This suggests a more nuanced, perhaps even benevolent, nature to these figures, contrasting with the fear and blame directed at them. The idea that "trolls must answer for themselves and others" implies a responsibility, but the context hints it's a responsibility forced upon them by accusation. The most striking craft element is the recurring motif of the sun. It's stated that "trolls can crack in the sun," a common folkloric weakness. However, the lyrics immediately counter this by saying, "But the sun serves as a cover for all." This duality is key: the sun, a source of life and truth, is also presented as a protective element, perhaps implying that the "trolls" are not inherently destructive but are simply exposed or vulnerable. The outro's insistent repetition of "The sun shares itself everywhere" reinforces the sun's universal, impartial nature, subtly undermining the idea of targeted evil. This lyrical construction is effective because it uses familiar tropes about "trolls" and then subtly subverts them with observations about societal blame and the impartiality of nature. The contrast between the accusations and the sun's encompassing presence creates a quiet, thought-provoking dissonance. It leaves the listener questioning who the real villains are, suggesting that the "trolls" might just be convenient targets for a world that needs someone to blame, especially when "the troll cub must take the blame."