Sloom

I think that this song is about the escape of a young boy and girl from an abusive father.

"The sea said goodbye to the shore so the sun wouldn't notice"

I think that the 'sea' is the older son, the 'shore' is the mother (who is stuck with the abusive father/husband, but is herself not abusive), and the 'sun' is the young daughter (who has, up until now, been protected from abuse by the son. Thus, she remains innocent and bright.) I think that the older son is trying to escape from the situation. He is saying goodbye to his mother (who refuses to leave her abusive husband) and taking his younger sister with him away from harm before it's too late for her. (This part is sung by Ragnar, further supporting that these are the son's thoughts)

"The seaweed that wrapped its arms around you"

I think that, again, the 'seaweed' is referring to the older son. The 'you' is the son addressing the abusive father directly. I think that the father was in the midst of an episode, and the son grabbed him to protect his mother and sister. (Still sung by Ragnar)

"The carpet on my cheek feels like the fall grass And I run through the tall trees with your hands chasing me"

This part is sung by Nanna. I think that, while the son was trying to take his sister away from the abusive household, the father finally got a hold of his daughter and struck her, and she fell to the ground. It was the first time he struck her, so she was shocked, not knowing what happened, and so simply notes how the carpet feels on her cheek. He goes for her again, and she gets up and runs away, and he chases after her.

"The books that I keep by my bags are full of your stories That I drew up from a little dream of mine, a little nightmare of yours"

This is sung by Ragnar. I think that this part is the son thinking about the situation. The books are full of the abusive father's stories--as he fills the "books" with stories of his abusive father, he dreams to leave (hence, he keeps the books by his bags). Taking his sister and leaving the abusive household is a dream for the son--it's something he's always wanted, and something he couldn't quite have before. For the abusive father, his son taking his daughter and leaving (and perhaps even shedding light on the abuse) is a nightmare. (I think that this idea is further supported by the fact that it is Ragnar singing, again addressing something directly as "you" which I believe is the father.)

"To be asked to take this plunge, to forgive and forget And be the better man, to be a better man, to be a better man"

I think that, at this point, the father pleads with the children to stay, and asks his son to "be the better man" and not leave his family. He then goes on and says that he will "be a better man" and that the abuse will stop. He asks his family for forgiveness. (I think that this is further supported by the fact that it is sung by both Ragnar and Nanna). The children are disgusted by his pleas, and voice that it atrocious for him to even think that he can be forgiven. "To be asked to take this plunge, to forgive and forget..." the thought isn't even finished, indicating that there aren't words for how wrong it is to be asked to "forgive and forget."

"The cat's silhouette, as big as a monster, In this concrete jungle, with street lights hanging their heads"

This is sung by Nanna. The son and the daughter physically run away after their confrontation with their abusive father. Young, scared, and running through the city, the daughter sees an ally cat, illuminated by a street light, and its shadow is thrown on a wall. She notes that it is "as big as a monster." I think that the father is chasing them through the city. The daughter is so young and scared, that all she can do is notice the cat's scary shadow, and see a sadness in the landscape of the city.

"So make all your last demands for I will forsake you And I'll meet your eyes for the very first time, for the very last"

This part is sung by Ragnar. I think that, at this point, the abusive father catches up with the children, and grabs the son. By asking the father to "make his last demands," he is essentially spitting in his face, and taunting him. He's saying "Hit me one more time, you bastard. Go ahead and do it, because I'm leaving you." He meets his fathers eyes "for the very first time, and the very last time." He stands up to him, and refuses to let his father's actions damage him (as a victim of abuse, he most likely avoided direct eye contact and confrontation with his father). He's taking his sister with him and leaving his father for good.

"I met a man today and he smiled back at me Now there are thoughts like these that keep me on my feet, That keep me on my feet."

This part is sung by Nanna. I think that this is the daughter's way of expressing her final resolution with her past and what happened to her and her brother. She sees a kind man who smiled at her, and she realizes that there are kind and good men in the world. At the end, Ragnar joins her in singing "That keep me on my feet." indicating that they are both moving on from their past, remaining strong.