Einar Selvik (born 18 November 1979), also known by his stage name Kvitrafn… Read Full Bio ↴Einar Selvik (born 18 November 1979), also known by his stage name Kvitrafn, is a Norwegian musician known for being the drummer in the black metal band Gorgoroth from 2000 to 2004, and for fronting the Nordic folk project Wardruna, founded in 2003 and also including Gorgoroth's ex-vocalist Gaahl. Selvik and Wardruna's soundtrack work for the History Channel television show Vikings has earned him international prominence, and he also appeared as an actor on the show.

On 1 March 2016, A Piece for Mind & Mirror by Skuggsjá, a collaboration between Kvitrafn and Enslaved's Ivar Bjørnson, was announced and streamed. Prepared for the 200th anniversary of the Norwegian Constitution, the album tells the history of Norway, and was released by Season of Mist on 11 March.

Selvik has also recorded with other projects including Det Hedenske Folk, Bak de Syv Fjell, Jotunspor, Sahg, Dead to this World and Faun. Furthermore, he has worked on the soundtrack for Assassin's Creed Valhalla.

Til Vinskapar
Einar Selvik Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Vin sínum
skal maðr vinr vera,
þeim ok þess vin
en óvinar síns
skyli engi maðr
vinar vinr vera.

Veiztu, ef þú vin átt,

þann er þú vel trúir,
ok vill þú af hánum gótt geta,
geði skaltu við þann blanda
ok gjöfum skipta,
fara at finna oft.

Ef þú átt annan,
þanns þú illa trúir,
vildu af hánum þó gótt geta,
fagrt skaltu við þann mæla
en flátt hyggja
ok gjalda lausung við lygi.

Það er enn of þann
er þú illa trúir
ok þér er grunr at hans geði,
hlæja skaltu við þeim
ok um hug mæla
glík skulu gjöld gjöfum.

Ungr var ek forðum,
fór ek einn saman,
þá varð ek villr vega
auðigr þóttumk,

er ek annan fann,
maðr er manns gaman.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Einar Selvik's "Til Vinskapar" emphasize the importance of friendship and trust. The first stanza notes that the friend of a friend is also a friend but that no one can be a friend to the enemy of their friend. This highlights the interconnectedness of relationships and the importance of loyalty.

The second stanza explains that if one has a friend whom they trust, they should treat them well and share gifts with them. They should mix their thoughts with their friend's and make an effort to see them often. However, if one has a friend they don't trust, they should still speak to them kindly but be aware that they may be lying.

The final stanza speaks to the importance of humor and similar interests in friendship. Even if one doesn't trust their friend, they should still laugh with them and speak kindly. The last line speaks to the idea that one can be rich in the company of friends even if they're alone in material possessions.

Overall, the song emphasizes the importance of building and maintaining authentic friendships, where trust and respect are at the core.

Line by Line Meaning

Vin sínum skal maðr vinr vera,
A man should be a friend to his friend, and those who are friends to each other.

þeim ok þess vin en óvinar síns skyli engi maðr vinar vinr vera.
No one should befriend the friends and enemies of his own friends.

Veiztu, ef þú vin átt, þann er þú vel trúir,
If you have a friend, trust him well

ok vill þú af hánum gótt geta,
and expect goodness from him.

geði skaltu við þann blanda
You should blend your emotions with him.

ok gjöfum skipta,
And exchange gifts.

fara at finna oft.
And often go to meet him.

Ef þú átt annan, þanns þú illa trúir,
If you have another friend, that you do not trust well,

vildu af hánum þó gótt geta,
still expect goodness from him.

fagrt skaltu við þann mæla
Speak kindly to him,