Wings of Time
TYR Lyrics


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If we live and we die, if it's based on a lie
So we come, we go, who knows just why

Places I've seen in decay
Things that I've done fade away
People I've known never stay
Things that I am yesterday
Frændar teir á skógin ríða
Við so góðum treysti
Sóu brenna heitan eld
Og hartil fagrar kostir
Vítt um vegir gyltnir hjálmar syngja
Stíga á sínar hestar teir springa
Hoyrast kundi langan veg sum teirra sporar ringja
Vítt um vegir gyltnir hjálmar syngja

One thousand years facing your fears
Hide all your doubt deep in the crowd
Unload the blame cover the shame
Cast it all out try to stand proud

Frændar teir á skógin ríða
Við so góðum treysti
Sóu brenna heitan eld
Og hartil fagrar kostir
Vítt um vegir gyltnir hjálmar syngja
Stíga á sínar hestar teir springa
Hoyrast kundi langan veg sum teirra sporar ringja
Vítt um vegir gyltnir hjálmar syngja

If we live and we die and we live and we die
If we live and we breed our kin to succeed
So we come we go and leave our seed

The great wings of time are still in their prime
Maybe in some age to come we shall see
The talons of time take hold of a tree
Time folding its wings, the end of all things

Frændar teir á skógin ríða
Við so góðum treysti
Sóu brenna heitan eld
Og hartil fagrar kostir
Vítt um vegir gyltnir hjálmar syngja
Stíga á sínar hestar teir springa




Hoyrast kundi langan veg sum teirra sporar ringja
Vítt um vegir gyltnir hjálmar syngja

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Týr's song "Wings of Time" explore the concepts of life and death and the meaning behind it all. The first verse raises questions about the purpose of our existence, wondering if it's all based on a lie and whether or not we really understand why we come and go. The following verses describe the passing of time and its effect on our lives, relationships, and memories. The chorus talks about putting aside our fears and doubts, trying to stand proud despite the burdens of shame and blame.


The second verse is sung in Faroese, describing a group of friends riding through a forest together, filled with joy and trust. They witness a burning fire and beautiful scenery, singing and riding their horses freely. The repetition of this verse in the song symbolizes the sentiment of unity and shared experiences, and how they can create and preserve precious memories.


The final verse brings together the theme of time and the cycle of life and death, wondering if the great "wings of time" will someday come to an end. It ends on a reflective note, suggesting that in the face of uncertainty, we should cherish what we have, and leave our mark behind through our descendants.


Line by Line Meaning

If we live and we die, if it's based on a lie
Questioning the purpose and truth of life, whether it is all meaningless


So we come, we go, who knows just why
Acknowledging the mystery and uncertainty surrounding life and its purpose


Places I've seen in decay
Reflecting on the deterioration and destruction seen in various places


Things that I've done fade away
Recognizing the impermanence of personal accomplishments and actions


People I've known never stay
Acknowledging the transience of relationships and the pain of loss


Things that I am yesterday
Reflecting on the past and how it has shaped the present self


Frændar teir á skógin ríða
Friends riding through the forest together


Við so góðum treysti
With such good trust


Sóu brenna heitan eld
They saw a burning hot fire


Og hartil fagrar kostir
And beautiful choices


Vítt um vegir gyltnir hjálmar syngja
Golden helmets singing far and wide on paths


Stíga á sínar hestar teir springa
Jumping on their horses, they ride


Hoyrast kundi langan veg sum teirra sporar ringja
Could be heard for a long time the sound of their echoing footsteps


One thousand years facing your fears
Acknowledging the time and effort it may take to confront and overcome fears


Hide all your doubt deep in the crowd
Encouraging the suppression of doubt in order to appear strong and confident


Unload the blame cover the shame
Encouraging the avoidance of personal responsibility and shame


Cast it all out try to stand proud
Encouraging the act of projecting false confidence in order to appear strong


If we live and we die and we live and we die
Reiterating the cyclical nature of life and death


If we live and we breed our kin to succeed
Acknowledging the desire to pass on one's legacy and success to future generations


So we come we go and leave our seed
Accepting the transient nature of life and the fact that all things must come to an end


The great wings of time are still in their prime
Highlighting the power and importance of time


Maybe in some age to come we shall see
Acknowledging the possibility of future understanding and enlightenment


The talons of time take hold of a tree
Metaphor for the grip time takes on all things


Time folding its wings, the end of all things
Signifying the ultimate end that time brings to all things




Contributed by Callie I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@RushAss

Possibly the best song from one of their best albums. I love how they play the old folk recording before kicking into the song.

@Tyrband

Thank you. We are all fortunate that the old recordings were made and the music was preserved.
- Heri

@lokitob

This is the first song that I heard from this band, off the CD for the Jagermeister Music Tour back in the mid-2000's. I was hooked immediately. THIS is good music, whether you speak the language or not.

When I shared it with my friends, only a couple actually had any appreciation for it, and they became my closest friends for many years. One even became my wife and has since spent an insane amount of time/money tracking down albums to use in her car's CD player.

I cannot understate the confusion created by a 5-foot Filipino woman blasting "Wings of Time" at full volume out of her bright green hatchback as she pulls into a parking spot at the grocery store. People simply have no idea how to react.

If Týr ever plays in Florida (or anywhere in the southern US!), you can bet that we'll be there!

@Tyrband

Priceless story! Thanks for sharing. Best wishes to you and your wife.
- Heri

@mackderpants

Adding the classical recording portion works to emphasize the respect for and growth within the culture. Brilliant!

@Tyrband

Thanks. We have great respect for culture, especially Nordic culture. It should all be preserved and taken along into the present and the future
- Heri

@mackderpants

@Týr It is for this reason why folk music (admittedly primarily folk metal) is one of my favorite art forms. It demonstrates that old ideas can still be relevant and impactful. Tyr has always acted at the forefront of this notion with heavy use of largely unadulterated traditional content simply viewed through a modern lense. Progress has undoubtedly been made, but the core of reverence is still there, and the way this song in particular bookends itself using the traditional recording is just gorgeous.

@Simon1231462

This album and especially this track made me fall in love with folk metal when I was 14 and for that I'm forever grateful. Lots of love to you Heri and the band from Egypt!

@Tyrband

Thank you! Great to have Egyptians here too!
- Heri

@beccaingram-bryant7086

This is for sure one of my favorite songs.

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