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Translation
Icarus
When I think back on my childhood
I see scary moments clearest of all.
Yes, those times when they scared me or hit me
are the memories that stay.
Because children take love for granted;
anything else is against their nature.
In the time one takes a step out in life
one is only an affectionate animal.
And soon adults start pointing
and pushing for the direction one should take.
All their dreams they themselves have been denied
they want to fulfill through their children.
If one is obedient one is rewarded and embraced,
if one revolts one loses everything.
No one loves a child who doesn’t succeed,
No one loves a child who is strong.
But who possesses the ability to know
what a new individual is capable of?
And who can say to another what happiness is,
who can say what another will become?
Let your flowers root where there is soil,
let your plants live where they thrive.
Don’t lock your plants in a greenhouse,
don’t let them have an unnatural life.
Let those you love try their wings.
one day they will find their way.
If you want to be respected by your child
You should show your child respect.
Ceil✕
Björn Afzelius: Top 3
| 1. | Tusen bitar |
| 2. | Ikaros |
| 3. | En kungens man |
Comments
About translator
About his Ikaros, Björn Afzelius wrote:
"En barnvisa för vuxna. Jag skrev den när jag just blivit far för andra gången. Vad är det egentligen vi skickar med våra barn ut i livet? De är oskrivna blad - vi är dem som håller i pennan"
A children's song for adults. I wrote it when I had just become a father for the second time. What is it actually that we send our children out with in life? They are an unwritten leaf - we are those who hold the pen.
From his own difficult childhood, Björn wrote this very beautiful and personal song with a caution to parents to respect, love, and nurture their children.
The title is from the Greek myth of Icarus, the son of craftsman Daedalus, who ignored his father's advice. Father and son attempted to escapes from Crete, with wings Daedalus had constructed of wax and feathers. Icarus flew too close to the sun, and when the wax in his wings melted, fell to his death.
Thanks to Maria Strand for her help in editing this translation.