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.

Vigahugr
Einar Selvik Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Upp skulum órum sverðum,
ulfs tannlituðr, glitra,
eigum dǫ́ð at drýgja
í dal-miskunn fiska
leiti upp til landar
lýða hverr sem bráðast,
gerum þar fyr sjǫt sólar
seið ófagran vigra.

Farit hefk blóðgum brandi,
mér benþiðurr fylgði,
ok gjallanda geiri,
gangr vas harðr af víkingum
ger-ðum reiðir róstur,
rann eldr of sjǫt manna,

lé-tum blóðga búka
í borghliði sœfask.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Einar Selvik’s song "Vigahugr" call upon warriors to unsheathe their swords and prepare for battle. The first few lines describe the swords as wolf-toothed and glimmering, emphasizing the power and potential danger they hold. The following lines speak to the need for death to be brought to the valley of mercy and to catch those who are fishing for their lives off guard. The warriors are encouraged to go up to the land with haste and take up arms against their enemies.

The second verse speaks to the singer’s experience in battle. He has traveled with a bloody sword at his side and had his trusted bonesetter with him. They have also carried a spear which resounded with a loud noise. Battle has been hard and he describes how his fellow warriors had to take on the anger and fury of their opponents. They made firm decisions, witnessing the death of many, leaving them with bloodied bellies at the gate.

Overall, the lyrics describe the harshness and brutality of war, and the determination and courage of those who engage in it. It speaks to the need for battle-ready warriors to take up arms and defend their land and people, regardless of the cost.

Line by Line Meaning

Upp skulum órum sverðum,
With our swords raised high,

ulfs tannlituðr, glitra,
The wolf-toothed blades gleaming,

eigum dǫ́ð at drýgja
We possess the courage to engage

í dal-miskunn fiska
In the valley of mercy for fish

leiti upp til landar
We search for land

lýða hverr sem bráðast,
Every man obeys without hesitation

gerum þar fyr sjǫt sólar
We create there before the path of the sun

seið ófagran vigra.
A magic charm for the unexcelled enemies.

Farit hefk blóðgum brandi,
I have gone with a bloody sword

mér benþiðurr fylgði,
A wound binder followed me

ok gjallanda geiri,
And a loudly ringing spear