Released March 15, 2013 Artist Wardruna Producer Kvitrafn | Length 66:14 Release date 15 March 2013 Label Back on Black | |
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Runaljod - Yggdrasil
(2013) Runaljod - Ragnarok
(2016) Genres Ambient music, Nordic folk music Similar Gaahl albums, Nordic folk music albums, Other albums | ||
Runaljod - Yggdrasil is the second album by Norwegian Nordic folk musical project Wardruna. It is an interpretation of the Elder Futhark and is sung in Norwegian, Old Norse and Proto-Norse. The lyrics center on Norse spiritual themes.
Contents
Lyrical content and themes
The title of the opening song, "Rotlaust Tre Fell", meaning "a rootless tree falls", is based on the philosophy of the band. The song is an invocation of the Allfather Odin and "my mother Frigg" and "wise Vanir", "ancient Thurs" and the Norns. "Rotlaust Tre Fell" was used in the third season of Vikings during preparation for an attack on Paris.
"Fehu", which was used in the first season of TV series Vikings during a raiding scene, tells of the dangers of gold and wealth and how greed takes over the hearts of men.
The final track, "Helvegen" ("the Road to Hel") is essentially a funeral song. The song (and album) closes with the famous stanza from Hávamál: "Cattle die, kinsmen die, You yourself will also die, but the word about you will never die, if you win a good reputation. Cattle die, kinsmen die, You yourself will also die, I know one that never dies: the judgement of those who died". "Helvegen" was used in the second season of Vikings while Ragnar and his men prepare to sail again to Wessex.
Personnel
Songs
1Rotlaust tre fell4:20
2Fehu7:03
3NaudiR6:48