A video appeared in my YouTube feed recently, one which impressed me sufficiently that I felt moved to share it on my site. Unlike the usual offerings which attempt to influence my political beliefs or seek to engender fear, disgust, righteous indignation or similar negative emotions, this one was uplifting and enjoyable.

Engineered by AI algorithms, the music video’s appearance on my iPad will no doubt have been prompted by my recent viewing history. For despite having never heard of the band before – Songleikr, a northern European group specialising in ‘Nordic Folk and Folklore music‘ – I had long been watching music videos featuring the same musicians performing under their other group name of Heilung (Healing).

---

Set simply in a recording studio, the video features band members Christopher Juul and Maria Franz performing the song ‘Ulvetime,’ and despite having no understanding of the Norwegian language in which it was sung, I was captivated by it.

So, what was it about this record that I found to be so uplifting, regardless of the fact that I had no idea what the song was about? I decided to find out.

I researched the English translation and, on reading the words, I was surprised that the subject matter could be portrayed in such a heartwarming song. These are the lyrics:

THE HOUR OF THE WOLF

I cannot sleep.
I can only in the night wake.
Through my years.
 
My years slowly become mine.
In my hour of the Wolf.
Caught by time.
 
Will it show me, my years, my path.
Is it loving or not.
 
I can't rest.
In my hour of the Wolf.
Anywhere.
 
Calm down dear heart.
You should have soon learned it.
Mercilessly.
 
Will it show me, my years, my path.
Is it loving or not.
 
I cannot sleep.
I can only in the night wake.
Through hour of the Wolf.

---

My initial perception on reading the lyrics in English was one of melancholy – totally at odds with my sense of having been heartened by the performance. What was it that the songwriter sought to portray here?

For me, the predominant feelings are of restlessness and the dawning realisation of one’s mortality … mournful stuff, indeed. The lyrics portray a writer, unable to sleep during the ‘wolf hour,’ reflecting on a sense of being ‘trapped by time‘ and asking whether time will reveal the ‘way of my years‘ and whether it will ‘be kind or cruel.’

The overarching mood conveyed is one of mounting dread, and an awareness that time marches on steadily and is unstoppable. Consumed by thoughts of mortality, the writer cannot find peace.

Once I became aware of the meaning behind the song I played it again, and once again was uplifted by the beautiful vocals; vocals which – however soulful they may be – failed to convey a sense of melancholy to me.

So, what was my own take away from this highly-introspective song, one which deals with the mortality we all face? It was simply this:

However incapable we mortals may be in slowing or even grappling with time, and however late the hour may be for us, we can always continue to make music, and make it beautiful.

---