Viola [English translation]

Look at Viola, she's trembling

She's trembling like the final leaf on a tree

Look at Viola, she's mourning

She's mourning as if life has burnt away

So cry now, Viola, come rest in my arms

You can lean your head upon my shoulder

Tell me, o Viola, about everything that hides in you

I will hear your words until they stop and you can fall asleep

Look at Viola, she's sleeping

beneath her eyelids, the world wars on

Look at Viola, she's dreaming

about what never came to be

So sleep now, Viola, come rest in my arms

You can lean your head upon my shoulder

Forget everything, Viola, I'm stronger than you

I will bear your sorrows until they don't weigh you down anymore

And tomorrow, you'll wake up

You'll get up and notice

that the road seems light

and your eyes stomach light

and that the air you breathe

is kinder now

and is perfumed with hope

Oh, Viola, get up1

Look at Viola, she's breathing

She's breathing in the clean air

Come take my hand now, Viola

We'll run over mountains and meadows

Now, Viola flies like a bird, sorrow-free

With new eyes, she can see the world

Now she is beautiful, she has the sky in her hair

Her wings will take her away where no sorrow ever reaches

Listen to Viola, she's laughing

The butterflies are dancing through her mouth2

Listen to Viola, she's singing

She's singing for her whole life

Look at Viola, she's flying

She's flying through the clouds, she flies into the sun

Look at viola, she's dancing

She's dancing with the whole sky

She's dancing with the whole sky...

1. "stig opp" is Norwegian.2. While butterflies dancing through her mouth literally is odd, this is a way to extend the metaphor "fjärilar i magen" (butterflies in one's stomach), which denotes some nervousness on that person's side. That they are freed from the stomach to the mouth suggests that the nervousness is gone and that a certain confidence has taken its place.

• Artist:Lisa Nilsson
• Album:Viva