Song Meaning

The narrator stands as the sole survivor, the last to sing a song about a place called "Gruvene på 16." This isn't a place of fond farewells; no one waves from the prison-like "Kringsjå" or the mines themselves. The scene at the train platform is desolate, marked only by the echo of a lost announcement: "siste avgang 15:30" – the last departure. This sets a tone of finality and abandonment. The lyrics paint a grim picture of this location, characterized by perpetual heavy rain, regardless of season. The walls of "Kringsjå" bear inscriptions, hinting at a violent past where a bounty was placed on someone named Henry, suggesting a desperate attempt to contain or eliminate him. The narrative implies a history of people being trapped or imprisoned, with some being "stengt inne" (locked inside) and others having been there for generations, "si manns minne" (since man's memory). A central tension emerges around Henry, who wielded a whip and demanded respect, believing it would bring him "applaus, applaus." However, the narrator vehemently refuses to applaud him, stating, "Ikkje faen om me klapte for han" (Not the hell would we clap for him). This highlights a deep-seated resentment or defiance against Henry's perceived authority or cruelty, suggesting his pursuit of applause was met with contempt rather than admiration. The narrator's escape from "Gruvene på 16" is framed as a singular achievement, emerging from the darkness with a "pose gull" (bag of gold) and catching that final 15:30 train. This suggests a hard-won liberation, a departure from a place of confinement and despair. The song itself is the last testament to this place before it too fades into oblivion, "går i glømmeboka" (goes into the book of forgetfulness).