Hengilás by Jónsi Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Mystical Layers of Hope and Desolation

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Jónsi's Hengilás at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

Og vio horfumst i okunn augu
Samt hofum bekkst alla tio
Undir vokulum augnaraoum letumst
Stondum nu tvistiga

Reyni ao grafa upp og hjartgaesku og raun
Reyni ao brjotast inn
Reyni ao bora a, og saga hengilasinn

En allt kemur fyrir ekki neitt
Kominn i niourlot
Veit ekki hvao plan skal taka
Kominn i raoaorot

Reyni ao grafa upp og hjartgaesku og raun
Reyni ao brjotast inn
Reyni ao bora a, og saga hengilasinn

In an introspective exploration into the hauntingly beautiful world of Jónsi Birgisson, the ethereal track ‘Hengilás’ from his 2010 album ‘Go’ stands as a transcendent piece of art. With its title referring to a dark, stony place in Icelandic folklore, this song delves into themes of introspection, desperation, and the elusive quest for inner peace.

The Icelandic language, in all its poetic complexity, adds a layer of mystery for non-native listeners, yet Jónsi’s emotive soundscape transcends linguistic barriers, allowing the emotional weight of the lyrics to resonate universally. ‘Hengilás’ is a song that gracefully carries the burden of its profound sentiments, exploring the depths of the human condition with an artistry that is as gut-wrenching as it is sublime.

An Embrace With the Unknown: The Dichotomy of Intimacy and Alienation

Jónsi beckons us into a realm of paradoxical encounters, as the opening lines ‘Og við horfumst í ókunn augu / Samt höfum bekkst alla tíð’ translate to ‘And we stare into unfamiliar eyes / Yet we have shared all time.’ This profound oxymoron encapsulates the essence of human connection, the intimacy and distance we feel even with those closest to us.

It is a testament to the all-encompassing nature of relationships, where the most profound connections can still be shrouded in layers of uncertainty and unfamiliarity. ‘Hengilás’ captures this universal sentiment, plunging us into the heart of its message without the need for translation.

Digging Deep: The Sisyphean Quest for Heartfelt Sincerity

Throughout ‘Hengilás,’ Jónsi paints a haunting portrait of struggle and desire for authenticity with the repeated lines ‘Reyni að grafa upp og hjartgæsku og raun.’ This translates to a relentless effort to ‘try to dig up kindness and reality,’ evoking the image of an individual tirelessly searching for a core of truth beneath layers of pretense or pain.

This lyrical metaphor captures the difficulty in reaching a state of pure honesty, both with oneself and others. It encapsulates the sense of yearning for a genuineness that is often buried deep within – a genuineness that is both as revealing and as elusive as the process of excavation itself.

The Unbreakable Lock: The Futility of Forced Entry into the Heart

The lines ‘Reyni að brjótast inn / Reyni að bora á, og saga hengilásinn’ carry the weight of desperation, where Jónsi expresses attempts to ‘break in’ or to ‘drill and saw the Hengilás.’ Here, the ‘Hengilás’ symbolizes not just the physical place, but the impenetrable barriers around one’s heart, illustrating the near-impossible task of accessing what is guarded within.

The visceral imagery used in these lines embodies the sometimes-violent nature of introspection and the emotional excavation one might undertake in the pursuit of self-discovery. Yet the locking mechanism — the ‘Hengilás’ — holds steadfast, suggesting that some parts of the heart may never yield to forceful entry.

Descending into Despair: The Inescapable Labyrinth of Doubt

The haunting refrain ‘En allt kemur fyrir ekki neitt / Kominn í niðurlot’ unveils a descent into hopelessness, translating to ‘But everything comes to nothing / Fallen into a deep low.’ It is this existential resignation that forms the somber undercurrent of ‘Hengilás.’

Jónsi communicates the tortuous path of the human mind, where often the search for meaning or relief leads to a void. This line resonates as a bleak realization within the labyrinthine journey of self, where one may become lost, enveloped by the shadows of doubt and despair.

Echoes of Persistence: The Enduring Human Spirit

Despite the somberness, ‘Hengilás’ is imbued with a sense of resilience. The ceaseless attempts to ‘dig up’ and ‘break in’ reflect a human determination that perseveres even in futility. It is this spirit that colors the song with an undercurrent of hope—a belief that even within the depths of desolation, there are reasons to continue the search.

Jónsi’s musical craftsmanship, interwoven with the spectral beauty of these poetic expressions, creates a soundscape that soothes even as it challenges. ‘Hengilás,’ with its cyclical melody and penetrating lyrics, becomes an anthem for the enduring pursuit of the unattainable, the eternal chase for the dawn in the night’s darkest hours.