Sjå attende

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a seductive, almost supernatural being urging someone to "look back" and embrace her. The opening lines, "Stat upp, stat upp, sjå attende" (Stand up, stand up, look back), immediately establish a sense of urgency and a call to acknowledge something hidden or past. The imagery of "sylvstrengjin kå dom læt" (silver strings how they sound) and a "hulder" (a mythical forest creature, often female) who "græt" (cries) out of longing suggests a creature of folklore attempting to lure the listener with enchanting sounds and sorrowful appeals. The central tension arises from the narrator's desperate plea to be the listener's "jænte" (girl) and to be loved above all others, promising a life of comfort and devotion. Phrases like "Lat mæg bli di jænte!" (Let me be your girl!) and "Ingor som dæg bære lika" (No one else like you) highlight an intense, possessive desire. The narrator offers to provide for the listener, promising to " hulle, leika, stute" (caress, play, be playful) and prepare food like "Rjume, smør å kjuke" (cream, butter, and cheese), aiming to fulfill every need and desire. The lyrics masterfully blend the mundane with the mythical. While the narrator offers domestic comforts and affection, the context of the "hulder" and the enchanting "sylvstrengjin" imbues the offer with an otherworldly allure. The promise of a home "hole fjella" (in the mountains) decorated with "guld - å sylv - åro klæd" (gold – and silver – adorned clothes) elevates the narrator's proposal beyond simple companionship into a fantastical, perhaps dangerous, proposition. This contrast between earthly desires and supernatural enchantment creates a compelling, unsettling atmosphere. This lyrical tapestry is effective because it taps into primal desires for love, security, and belonging, while simultaneously invoking the allure of the forbidden and the magical. The insistent repetition of "Stat upp, stat upp" and the direct, almost pleading tone of the narrator draw the listener into this enchanting, yet potentially treacherous, invitation. The lyrics suggest a powerful, ancient temptation, cloaked in promises of devotion and a life of fantastical riches.