Song Meaning

This track opens with a seemingly straightforward depiction of fourteen men working at the Stranda Saw & Planing Mill, diligently processing various woods like spruce, birch, and hickory. There's an initial, almost boisterous pride in their collective effort, highlighted by the repeated "HURRA!" and the declaration of having "standpunkt te sin stand" – a solid footing in their work. This sets a scene of communal labor and a sense of shared identity among the workers. The core tension emerges as the lyrics reveal the stark contrast between the laborers and their boss, "Sagbruksmester Gyldentand." The workers acknowledge their own "arbeidskraft" (labor power) is what makes him a "velbeholden" (well-off), yet he operates from a "stort kontor" (large office), engrossed in "store tall og store ord" (big numbers and big words) and "profittjakt og iver" (profit hunting and eagerness). This immediately establishes a power imbalance and the exploitative nature of their relationship. The narrative takes a sharp turn with the introduction of the union. When prices rise, the workers demand more pay, but Gyldentand dismisses their concerns, claiming the mill is "konkursmoden" (close to bankruptcy). The lyrics explicitly call this out as "tull" (nonsense), noting his personal wealth in "gods og gull" (goods and gold). This realization, a stark departure from their earlier, perhaps naive, pride, fuels the formation of a "fagforening" (trade union). The song's effectiveness lies in its clear, unvarnished portrayal of class struggle. The shift from communal pride to organized resistance is palpable, driven by the workers' growing awareness of their exploitation. The final lines, a direct threat of "streik" (strike) if their demands for "høgar lønn pr. mann" (higher pay per man) aren't met, transform the song from a workplace description into a powerful anthem of solidarity and defiance against a greedy boss.