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Týr began in January 1998. Heri Joensen met his old bandmate, Kári Streymoy, at a party in Copenhagen, Denmark. Joensen suggested to Streymoy that they should meet up and jam. Streymoy initially declined, but later took him up on his offer.
They were soon joined by another former bandmate, bassplayer Gunnar H. Thomsen, making the duo a trio. They began making music which was heavily inspired by Norse mythology, Faroese traditional music, and heavy metal music in general. According to the band's frontman Heri Joensen, Týr's "musical mission is to break down the walls that are erected between all the kinds of metal that have arisen over the years. Power-, doom-, black-, progressive-, gothic-, viking-, folk-, ethnic- and epic metal. Walls and labels do nothing but fill people with prejudice."[1]
The name of the band comes from Týr, a Norse god. Before Týr, Joensen and Thomsen formed their first band, at the age of seventeen. They called themselves Cruiser. Streymoy also played with them for a short while. They later changed their name to Wolfgang. Although neither band released any albums, Wolfgang lasted until 2000, which was long enough to record an undisclosed amount of songs that, according to Joensen are "pretty much ready to release.[2]"
Týr was a part of the Paganfest tour in Europe and the US in 2008, with Ensiferum headlining. Other bands on the tour included Eluveitie, Turisas in the US, and Moonsorrow and Korpiklaani joined them on the European part of the tour.
By the Sword in my Hand
Týr Lyrics
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Remembers the day, bereft of his blood
Much to your dismay now equal we meet
Self righteous repay, you kneel by my feet, I stand
By the sword in my hand
I will conquer the land
Those who question the sword in my hand
I seek what you took, I promise you'll pay
By hook or by crook, a boy gone astray, I stand
By the sword in my hand
I will conquer the land
I will decimate and decapitate
Those who question the sword, I stand
By the sword in my hand
I will conquer the land
I will decimate and decapitate
Those who question the sword in my hand
I hold the final truth of all eternity
It happens to include my own superiority
Mischief of the past has come to seal your destiny
Kneel before me now or I will have your head for heresy
By the sword in my hand
I will conquer the land
I will decimate and decapitate
Those who question the sword, I stand
By the sword in my hand
I will conquer the land
I will decimate and decapitate
Those who question the sword in my hand
I hold the final truth of all eternity
It happens to include my own superiority
Mischief of the past has come to seal your destiny
Kneel before me now or I will have your head for heresy
The lyrics of "By the Sword in my Hand" by Týr tell the story of a boy who has been deceived by a god and has lost his blood as a result. The boy, now grown up and seeking revenge, meets those who wronged him and seeks to decimate and decapitate them. He believes he holds the final truth of all eternity and that his superiority will guarantee his victory. The verses are filled with aggression, a thirst for power and a quest for revenge.
The chorus, with its repeated declaration of "By the sword in my hand, I will conquer the land," emphasizes the destructive power and sense of grandiosity the singer feels as he wields his weapon. He sees those who question his actions, or who question the sword itself, as heretics who must be punished. The idea of questioning authority is therefore seen as a threat to the singer's sense of control and his own self-importance.
Overall, the song presents a character who is consumed by his own ego, and whose belief that he is in the right justifies his violent actions. It is a warning about the dangers of unchecked power and the willingness to use force to achieve one's goals.
Line by Line Meaning
A boy gone astray, deceived by a god
A young man who has lost his way, tricked by a deity
Remembers the day, bereft of his blood
Filled with memories of a time when he was without his kin
Much to your dismay now equal we meet
You are surprised to find that I am now your equal
Self-righteous repay, you kneel by my feet, I stand
You believe in your own moral superiority, but now you must kneel before me
By the sword in my hand
With my weapon ready
I will conquer the land
I will take control of this territory
I will decimate and decapitate
I will destroy and kill my enemies
Those who question the sword in my hand
Anyone who opposes me
I seek what you took, I promise you'll pay
I am seeking vengeance and you will suffer for what you have done
By hook or by crook, a boy gone astray, I stand
By whatever means necessary, I will not falter
I hold the final truth of all eternity
I possess the ultimate knowledge of the universe
It happens to include my own superiority
And coincidentally, that includes my own superiority
Mischief of the past has come to seal your destiny
The bad deeds from your past have set the course for your fate
Kneel before me now or I will have your head for heresy
Submit to me or suffer the consequences for your acts against the established beliefs
Contributed by Sophia O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.