“She gave me the hide of a grey wolf” — Gåte plea for liberation in the “Ulveham” lyrics

Norway has decided and they confidently send Gåte to represent them in this year’s Eurovision with the song “Ulveham.”

The song is a seamless fusion of rock music and powerful vocals, with lyrics that unfold like a captivating folk tale. It narrates the story of a girl transformed into a wolf by her malevolent stepmother.

Scroll down to read the “Ulveham” lyrics

Norway at Eurovision 2024: Gåte with “Ulveham”

Gåte is a band hailing from Trøndelag, Norway. They seamlessly blend Norwegian folk music with elements of metal and electronica, crafting a unique style often described as progressive folk-rock. Their journey began with the release of their first EP, Gåte EP, in 2000. However, it was their debut album, Jygri, released the same year, that catapulted them to commercial success, earning acclaim both locally and internationally, particularly in Scandinavia and Germany. Led by the distinctive vocals of Gunnhild Sundli, the band garnered significant media attention, with speculation arising about her potential departure to pursue a solo career.

Following the release of their second album, Iselilja, in 2004, Gåte announced a hiatus, citing various reasons including Gunnhild’s desire to explore other ventures. Despite this, they treated fans to a live album in 2006, recorded at the Rockefeller Music Hall with bonus materials. The band made a triumphant return in 2017 with the EP Attersyn.

Throughout their career, Gåte have graced stages across Norway and beyond, captivating audiences at numerous music festivals and earning accolades for their electrifying performances.

What do the “Ulveham” lyrics mean?

“Ulveham” emerges as a quintessential Norwegian folk tale steeped in tradition. Within its narrative, traditional fairy tale elements intertwine seamlessly: a captivating beautiful heroine, an envious and evil stepmother, and the presence of black magic. The story exudes a medieval essence, weaving a tale of a maiden who, having lost her mother, now contends with a malevolent stepmother. Driven by jealousy toward the maiden’s beauty and the attention she commands, the stepmother resorts to dark magic, casting a spell that transforms the maiden into a wolf.

The spell takes effect, condemning the maiden to life as a wolf, forever wandering the woods. The only means of breaking the curse lies in drinking her brother’s blood, a task the stepmother knows she could never bring herself to do. Thus, the maiden remains trapped in her lupine form, caught in a cruel twist of fate orchestrated by the stepmother’s envy and malice.

In an interview with wiwibloggs, Gåte revealed that they had to condense the song for MGP, as the original version stretched to six minutes in length. Although not present in the current lyrics, the story continues as follows: the wolf girl, consumed by her animal instincts, ultimately attacks her stepmother, inadvertently killing her, without knowing her stepmother was pregnant with her half-brother. This tragic turn of events leads to the wolf girl inadvertently drinking her brother’s blood, thereby breaking the spell that had bound her to her lupine form.

The song’s lyrics can be interpreted as a poignant plea for liberation from the shackles of oppression.

“Ulveham” lyrics — Gåte (Norway Eurovision 2024)

Songwriters: Gunnhild Sundli, Jon Even Schärer, Magnus Børmark, Marit Jensen Lillebuen, Ronny Graff Janssen, Sveinung Eklo Sundli

What do you think of the lyrics for “Ulveham” by Gåte ? Will Norway secure a spot in the grand final? Tell us in the comments below!