The best-known example of an outsider in Danish literature is Svante, a figure created by  Benny Andersen. He shot to fame with the recording made of the songs by Poul Dissing in 'Svantes Viser', which appeared in 1973. But the songs are part of a whole epic about Svante. To see the whole book in English, go to here.

To listen to Poul Dissing singing this song in Danish, go to here.

SVANTE’S DRINKING SONG

Night is so cold.

Life is so short.

Friends move out further

off than they ought.

My tongue’s all mouldy, my soul’s lost its pep.

And each time I move it’s a backward step

You must just keep your spirits primed.

I am drunk and I’m feeling fine.

Cobbles for bread.

Traffic like shears.

Zips and not buttons.

Music that sears.

Stars that are sooty and grins that don’t fit

and porter and belches and aquavit.

You must just keep your spirits primed.

I am drunk and I’m feeling fine.

Tiredness and tears.

Shouts like coarse rope.

Hands quite rejected.

Hope without hope.

Toothache. Insomnia. Gastric distress.

But life’s worth a hangover still, I guess.

You must just keep your spirits primed.
I am drunk and I'm feeling fine.