What does "If the Light Takes Us" refer to?

[RavageTheKingdom]

I have loved the album for years, but have always wondered what the title meant.

I know Varg is a big right wing, Pagan nationalist so I am thinking it means if the light(Christianity, liberalism, capitalism, etc.) consumes and replaces the old ways(Paganism, racialism, nationalism, etc.)


But I would very much like to know what you guys think it means.

 

[Master_Yoda77]

It means when the light takes us...

 

[RavageTheKingdom]

It means when the light takes us...

But it says "If" the light takes us, not "when"


If it had been When the light takes us i'd just assume it was about fying.

 

[Master_Yoda77]

I was actually under the impression that it meant "Until the Night Takes Us".

 

[TheInsane]

"If the light takes us" is the proper translation from Norwegian.

Hvis [if] lyset [the light] tar [takes] oss [us].


Dont interpret to much of Vargs current ideology into his old stuff. He claims to have helt roughly the same ideas throughout his carreer but if we are to go by his own words, in interviews and such, he has changed quite abit from time to time.

 

[crimsonfloyd]

I have loved the album for years, but have always wondered what the title meant.

I know Varg is a big right wing, Pagan nationalist so I am thinking it means if the light(Christianity, liberalism, capitalism, etc.) consumes and replaces the old ways(Paganism, racialism, nationalism, etc.)


But I would very much like to know what you guys think it means.

If you read the lyrics to the song with the same name, "the light" is obviously the Christian God. Liberalism or capitalism? I don't think that makes sense for this particular song.

 

[Goffdahl]

Im pretty sure it's a metaphor for the old Norse myths about trolls who burst when exposed to sunlight. Trolls became the symbol of opposition to Christianity which is why - in turn - light equals Christianity.

Troll - Drep de Krestne (Kill the Christians)

 

[Tonka Time]

When we die?

 

[Vimana]

I think it means Christianity. In Dissection's "Unhallowed," Christianity is referred to as "the light." To my understanding anyway. So I always assumed that "if the light takes us" had something to do with Christianity hypothetically eradicating the Pagan ways. I don't listen to a ton of Black Metal, but I wouldn't be surprised if this metaphor is more widespread than I believe it to be.

When we die?

I always thought it could mean that, too.

 

[Tonka Time]

By reading the lyrics I got the vibe that it was saying "If the christians are correct". So by "if/when the light takes us" I interpreted it as "If when we die we find that the christians are correct".
The last line translated to english according to metal archives:
"They were right we have come to Hell"

The lyrics seemed to deal with burning when the light touches you "In this God's glade".
So it could also be saying "If the christians are correct and we are on god's earth (then we are in/going to hell)".

 

[RavageTheKingdom]

By reading the lyrics I got the vibe that it was saying "If the christians are correct". So by "if/when the light takes us" I interpreted it as "If when we die we find that the christians are correct".
The last line translated to english according to metal archives:
"They were right we have come to Hell"

The lyrics seemed to deal with burning when the light touches you "In this God's glade".
So it could also be saying "If the christians are correct and we are on god's earth (then we are in/going to hell)".

Thats an interesting way to look at it.

I had always assumed the "we have come to hell" was just telling how Varg viewed a Christian world as being a hell.

But I like your interpretation better, seems a bit more intelligent so thats what i'm gonna go with.

 

[Tonka Time]

ERROR

 

[Vimana]

Maybe it's just me, but I've also seen an irony in which "light" is portrayed as "evil" and "darkness" is portrayed as "good." Take the Dissection song I mentioned before, which has themes that recur in Black Metal, I bolded the words that stuck out to me.

Dusk will bring the gathered ones upon the feeble men of God
Superior mighty warriors of pure unhallowed blood
Shoulder to shoulder they reign in the darkest of nights
Together at the edge of time, brought forth to slay the light

Thy majesty, our majesty, sole superior evil itself
We'll be your instrument and the blade of their damnation