Up North

Borknagar's song 'Up North' is a poetic exploration of the cyclical nature of the seasons and their profound impact on the human spirit. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a place where the natural world is both a sanctuary and a source of existential reflection. The song begins by celebrating the beauty and warmth of summer, a time when the sun casts shadows even at night, symbolizing a place of perpetual light and comfort. This idyllic setting, 'Up North,' is where the artist feels a deep sense of belonging, a place where the pine trees meet the sea and the stormy sky sings, creating a harmonious connection with nature.

As the song progresses, it delves into the melancholic beauty of fall, described as the artist's favorite season. The imagery of 'death and rain and rain and rain' evokes a sense of renewal and the cyclical nature of life and death. The falling leaves and stars symbolize the inevitable return to the beginning, where death is not an end but a transformation. This season is portrayed as a time of introspection and acceptance, where the energy of life remains even as it changes form.

Winter is depicted as a time of solitude and reflection, where the cold and frost serve as metaphors for life's challenges and the inevitability of change. The lyrics suggest that in winter, one can find peace and clarity, as it is a time to 'reflect and be.' The metaphor of the iceberg's tip melting into the ocean represents the transient nature of existence and the continuous cycle of life. Finally, spring is portrayed as a season of creation and renewal, completing the circle of life. The song concludes with the idea that there is no true end, only a continuous cycle of beginnings and transformations, encapsulated in the eternal essence of 'Up North.'