Olav Ehala is an Estonian singer/songwriter/musical genius. He has written some of the most beautiful songs in the history of Estonian music. In my opinion. But I know there are those who share my love for his beautiful songs.
He has a very unique (and, consequently, widely mimicked) style. His solutions to musical phrases are unexpected but really really beautiful.
He has written a lot of songs for old Estonian movies and the Mermaid Song is from one, too. It’s from 1984 Karoliine Hõbelõng (Caroline Silveryarn, if you will, although that sounds so totally alien for me).
I tried translating the lyrics, but they sound so much more luring and enchanting in the original. (The video is bs, but that’s not important anyway.)
On land a lot of exciting things are frowned upon,
life on land is stiff and boring!
Have you ever been enchanted by the water
and seen how scales and fins glisten here?
Do you have any idea of the wonders of the sea?
Do you know that a moment is the same as a month?
Those on land only care about money and names
but in the water different things matter
Power and debt are weightless in water
no difference in what is behind or to come
Feel the wings growing on your back
cool and mellow in the flowing water…
cool and mellow in the flowing water…
You realize that tenderness on land is not enough
grasp at the charm of the flowing water
come closer to the water, closer yet, closer
little more to go from land to water
little more to go from land to water