“The bridge of copper corroded, the oaken one came into leaf” — Tautumeitas channel good energy and happiness in the “Bur Man Laimi” lyrics

Latvia is bringing magic and an enchanting performance to the Eurovision 2025 stage in Basel this May. They are sending the song “Bur Man Laimi” by Tautumeitas, a group that evokes the essence of good fairies and spirits from folklore.

The lovely ladies of Tautumeitas won Supernova 2025, finishing third in the jury vote and second in the televote. Their song, which translates to English as “A Chant for Happiness,” is crafted like a spell, carrying an almost mystical energy. Notably, it is the first song entirely in Latvian to compete in Eurovision since 2004.

Let’s dive into the story behind the lyrics!

Scroll down to read the “Bur Man Laimi” lyrics

Latvia at Eurovision 2025: Tautumeitas with “Bur Man Laimi”

Tautumeitas are a Latvian folk band formed in 2015. The six members—Asnate Rancāne, Aurēlija Rancāne, Annemarija Moiseja, Laura Marta Līcīte, Gabriēla Zvaigznīte, and Kate Slišāne—are both instrumentalists and vocalists.

In 2017, Tautumeitas collaborated with the folk band Auļi to release the album Lai māsiņa rotājās!, which was dedicated to engagements and weddings and drew inspiration from Baltic folk musical traditions. This project earned them the Annual Latvian Music Recording Award for Best Folk Music Album.

The following year, in 2018, they released their self-titled debut album.

What do the “Bur Man Laimi” lyrics mean?

This folk song is a chant of happiness (as the title suggests), blooming from the tradition of good spirits and fairies from folklore. The first thing we learn? We stay away from bad energies, bad spells, and bad vibrations. All the negativity can’t reach our girls, and therefore, they (and their good energy) cannot be ruined by others’ bad spells. Nobody is raining on their parade!

Summon, summon, summon, summon
Cannot ruin me

There is an interesting antithesis in the lyrics between copper and oak. More specifically, it contrasts others who are making copper bridges while the singers are making oak bridges. The difference lies in the fact that copper is an artificial material, and although it may seem strong, it eventually corrodes. On the other hand, an oak bridge is natural, and even if it doesn’t appear as immediately sturdy, it is more enduring and lasting. What’s more, it even extends and grows leaves.

This could symbolise the difference between people’s souls and the connections they create—those that are artificial and fleeting, versus those that are born from pure intentions and are built to last. The oak bridge represents deep, meaningful connections that grow and thrive over time, while the copper bridge reflects superficial bonds that fade away:

Others are making a bridge of copper
I’m making one of oak

The bridge of copper corroded
The oaken one came into leaf

The song also speaks about how, in order to meet your happiness and rise to the best version of yourself, you first have to experience misery. It suggests that only by facing challenges and lows can you truly understand and appreciate your own happiness. In this sense, the song ends up being an empowering chant—a manifestation of happiness and a belief in better days ahead:

I didn’t know my own happiness
Until I met my misery

“Bur Man Laimi” lyrics — Tautumeitas (Latvia Eurovision 2025)

Songwriter (music and lyrics): Asnate Rancāne, Aurēlija Rancāne, Elvis Lintiņš, Laura Līcīte, Gabriēla Zvaigznīte

Are you chanting “Bur Man Laimi” along with Tautumeitas? Do you connect with their good energy? Share more in the comments below.