Björk's Vökuró, a new English language lyric

Here, in honor of the solstice just passed, are some new lyrics for one of the most beautiful song I know: Björk’s “Vökuró” from her masterpiece Medúlla. This is the kick-off of “12 days of Christmas” music series. One song a day, with comments on some of them. Not ranked.

I love Vökuró so much that I decided I had to try to sing it. So, in addition to sounding it out in Icelandic in what surely would sound atrocious to native speakers without enlightening anyone else, I made some singable English lyrics. (It’s not that I know Icelandic, but only that I tried to get near the heart of the meaning through a free paraphrase informed by other people’s translations).

One of these days I hope to record this. Waiting for that day would turn the perfect into the enemy of the good. Meanwhile, you will get more out of Björk’s superlative performance if you understand what she is singing about. It's an Icelandic lullaby. Here is the gist of the meaning in prose form, as I have paraphrased from the translations.

Our farm sleeps happily as snow falls at dusk.Silently it blankets the grass, keeping earth until spring.

Spring is nesting underground, keeping watch with the two of us. Trusting life through the winter’s cold, staring from the depths up into the stars.

Far away the great city wakes, going mad with grim enchantment. It never rests, is anxious night and day—yet you gaze back at me, smiling calm and bright.

In your smile I feel hope return, rousing songs from dreams. Earth is at peace in the arms of snow. Close your eyes, my beloved child, and rest until spring.

Here it is again in a form that allows us follow along, word by word. More to the point we can use these words for our own sung versions.

Little farm, home for you and me Through the night, sleeps in peace Falling snow, covering the grass Silent snow, blanketing the fields, keeping earth ’til spring

Spring still hides, nesting underneath the snow Keeping watch as we also do. Trusting life, through the winter’s cold Keeping faith, staring from the depths up into the stars

Far away, the great gray city wakes Flickering screens drawing us into their spell Never rests, fearful night and day Yet your eyes, trusting and serene, gaze back at me.

In your smile, I can feel my hope return As we sleep, songs will arise from dreams Earth at peace In the arms of snow Close your eyes, my beloved child, and rest till spring

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