With the use of the oldest of Nordic instruments and poetic metres as well as lyrics written in Norwegian, Old Norse and Proto-Norse tongue, Wardruna is now, after nearly three years in the making, finally ready to return with the second album in the ‘Runaljod’ trilogy entitled ‘Yggdrasil’. Multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Einar Kvitrafn Selvik has, together with vocalists Kristian Espedal (aka Gaahl) and Lindy-Fay Hella, managed to make a strikingly beautiful and intense continuation of what was started with their first album, but without falling into the trap of merely repeating themselves. ‘Yggdrasil’ is also graced with guest appearances by renowned Icelandic composer Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson and Iceland’s leading rímur singer Steindór Andersen.
The ongoing ‘Runaljod’ trilogy is a musical rendition of the 24 runes in what is often referred to as the elder futhark. Some of the recordings are done outdoors in places or under circumstances of significance to each rune. Wardruna primarily use old and historical instruments such as primitive deer-hide frame drums, Kraviklyra, tagelharpe, mouth harp, goat horn, lur and more. Non-traditional instruments and other sources of sound like trees, rocks, water and torches are also used.
All of these elements are carefully woven into a rich musical landscape and complemented with whispering voices, melodic song and mighty choirs. Although Wardruna’s music share characteristics with music typically labeled as folk, world and/or ambient, none of these genres can really describe their unique style. It truly must be experienced.
NaudiR
Wardruna Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
vinden tok mine siste lauv
ormen gneg i grunna
kvasst eg eldest
Elden som tek - Liv
Elden som gjev - Liv
Hjerte hamrar
Djupt or djupet
Hjerte slår
lik stein slår gneist
slår gneist til bringas
brisingeld
til hug og blod
Hjarter hamrar
Røkkidimma døljer
det auge kan sjå
Og vegen eg følgjer
og dei spora eg trår
er kalde, så kalde
Vel er komen
Svelt ikkje meir
I svolt er funne
Naud min eld
Vel er komen
Treng ikkje meir
I trong er vunne
Naud min eld
Vel er komen
Brenn ikkje meir
I eld er vunne
Naud min eld
The lyrics to Wardruna's song NaudiR describe a cold and desolate environment, where the wind has stripped the last of the leaves and the earthworms bore deep into the ground. The singer speaks of the fire that both takes and gives life, and the beating of a heart deep in the abyss. The striking of a stone against flint creates sparks that ignite into the fiery glow of brisingeld, infusing the spirit with passion and vitality.
Despite the harshness of the surroundings, the singer has found salvation in the form of "Naud min eld," or "my forceful fire," which has sustained them through the harshest of conditions. The repetition of the phrase "vel er kommen" or "well have I arrived" signifies the singer's transcendence above their past struggles and into a state of inner peace and contentment, powered by the strength of their own fire.
The lyrics of NaudiR evoke themes of human resilience, the raw beauty of nature's unforgiving landscape, and the transformative power of self-reliance in the face of hardship.
Line by Line Meaning
Det er så kaldt her
The place is extremely cold and harsh.
vinden tok mine siste lauv
The wind has stripped me of everything I had.
ormen gneg i grunna
The snake is gnawing at the roots of life.
kvasst eg eldest
I sharpened the blade to prepare for difficult times.
Elden som tek - Liv
Fire that takes away - life.
Elden som gjev - Liv
Fire that gives - life.
Djupt or djupet
Deep in the depths.
Hjerte hamrar
The heart beats.
Djupt or djupet
Deep in the depths.
Hjerte slår
The heart beats.
lik stein slår gneist
Like a stone striking sparks.
slår gneist til bringas
Creating light and heat.
brisingeld
Shimmering fire.
til hug og blod
To inspiration and passion.
Hjarter hamrar
The hearts beat.
Røkkidimma døljer
Misty fog conceals.
det auge kan sjå
What the eye can see.
Og vegen eg følgjer
And the path I follow.
og dei spora eg trår
And the footsteps I leave.
er kalde, så kalde
Are cold, so very cold.
Vel er komen
Well have I come.
Svelt ikkje meir
I hunger no more.
I svolt er funne
In hunger, I have found.
Naud min eld
My need is fire.
Treng ikkje meir
I need no more.
I trong er vunne
In need, I have won.
Brenn ikkje meir
I do not burn anymore.
I eld er vunne
In the fire, I have won.
Naud min eld
My need is fire.
Contributed by Joseph D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@bohemianwriter1
Northern85Star
"But i don't think it is possible if it's too windy"
Only if you're strung up on mushrooms and mead.
Army training in winter is always fun. Jumping onto ice cold winter water, and change in the freezing cold. What warm memories.
@lemurlemur9017
TheShaunken Oh how I agree. Our ancestors were farmers, poets, skalds,lawyers, traders (got as far as the Silk Road at least) mystics, magicians and so much more.
The losses that sadden me most are the martial arts (It's pretty obvious that the Norse had their own version of martial art) and those of the seidhr.. (The latter of which we are working to reclaim.)
It was a very rich and complex culture and I sorrow that so much of it was lost to the memory of time.
The sad thing about history is that literate (writing) traditions make history rather than oral trads.
Oral tradition is fantastic for strengthening the memory, but the moment you kill the last person WITH that memory, you destroy the tradition itself.
@alendelon4384
Here is so cold
The wind took my last leaves
The worm is chafing in the deap
I'am aging fast The fire that takes - Life
The fire that gives - Life Deeply out of the deep
The heart is hammering
Deeply out of the deep
The heart is beating
As stone strikes spark
Spark strikes the chest
Fire
Spark strikes the heart
To lust and blood The heart is hammering
The smoke is hiding
What the eye can see
And the path I am taking
And the tracks I tread
Is cold, so cold Well is come
Starv no more
In starvation is found
NaudiR(/need) my fire Well is come
Need no more
In Need is won
NaudiR my fire Well is come
Burn no more
In fire is won
NaudiR my fire
@alexvonzezerskiy1587
I've seen an interview with Einar about this song. He said it is very important to him. He always takes the runes he sings about close to his heart. Naudir means need in sense of ultimate need - on the edge between life and death. It's a spark, that brings one back to life and thus makes him stronger. Without it one would die. While recording this song Einar went to the mountains alone, wandering in the cold, not having any warm clothing. When he felt, that the power of life abandons him, he started singing. After I've heard this, I've started to like this song and Einar's perfomance in general much more.
@lucifermorningstar4595
Thanks !!!!
@mimmim13aiv
I say a massive thank to Vikings TV show for introducing me to this band. Wardruna's music are brilliant. I never thought I would love this genre of music. Even if I'm pretty open minded about music, I'm more a metal lover.
But this is so beautiful. It reminds me metal in some aspects : an harmony in the whole songs, a powerful sound, real feeling behind the sounds.
A Masterpiece this album.
ps : Vikings are awesome :D
ps2 : Can't wait for Viking season 3
@valeries7957
Well it's fitting that it reminds you of metal because if I'm not mistaken most of Wardruna's music is classified as Norwegian folk metal. C:
@sonurOins
hehe i found out about vikings the tv show threw wardruna they are great! :D
@chariahalexander3180
I got to "if I had a heart" to "Viking" music and now I wonder if the show is actually good
P.s this music is awesome
@JacquesLapeyre
chariah alexander The show is relatively good... at least what i have seen is. They play around with the characters of the sagas, conflating some, and take some liberties with what we know about Norse culture but for a TV show it's pretty good.
@mimmim13aiv
chariah alexander In my opinion, Vikings is one of the most entertaining show. Fast but not too much, battle when it's needed (with real weapons, you feel the battle), but it's not just about battles, a good story that reach your heart, with characters to whom you can identify yourself and finally this whole Norse/Christian opposition which add another dimension to the show ... Plus, it's fucking badass vikings ! It's not just about good guys against bad guys.
The season 1 is good, but you NEED to watch the 2nd season. The show makes a first step in awesomeness, and the season 3 will be the best. It really grows on you.
@Starslight217
I feel so attracted to this music ... I love the nordic folks , thank you for doing this
@SlavaBozhe
I can do anything when I listen to this.