MANEGARM - Fornaldarsagor 26.4.2019

[Ravenpride]

Cover painting by Kris Verwimp

1. Sveablotet
2. Hervors arv
3. Slaget vid Bråvalla
4. Ett sista farväl
5. Spjutbädden
6. Tvenne drömmar
7. Krakes sista strid
8. Dödskvädet

Bonus tracks
1. (Don’t need) Religion (Motorhead cover)
2. Day star, son of dawn (Re-recorded old song from 1995, never released before)

The ancient sagas (Fornaldarsagorna) are a saga tree that largely take place in ancient Scandinavia before Iceland became colonized and before Christianity became a standing element in Nordic society. The ancient sagas were written mainly in the 1300s (although some were signed earlier and others far later). The stories also wander in and out of several other older works, such as Snorre's Edda, The Poetic Edda, and many others. The ancient sagas can be described as medieval tales with a much older content. In Adam of Bremens well-known text about the pagan nation in Uppsala, it is mentioned that "they also worship the raised people like gods, as they are given immortality to thanks for their great deeds." Adam's words attract the imagination of believing that they may just be the heroes that appear in the saga tales. On this album, the lyrics are based on various parts and scenes from several ancient sagas, yet reworked to fit into the music. In some cases as strictly as possible after the stories, in others more freedom to weave in you own thoughts. We in Månegarm want you to follow us into the adventure of the ancient days

[Ravenpride]

Track No 1. SVEABLOTET


In the ending of Hervararsagan (Hervarar saga ok Heiðreks), there’s a supplement called Kungligt ättartal (The royal ruling line) mentioning the old kings in Svealand, from pagan times until Svealand was Christianized. In this appendix there is a conflict about the royal power between the Christian Inge and the pagan Blot-Sven, who still was a practitioner of the pre-Christian religion. Inge was expelled by the people of Svealand, since he refused to lead and perform an important blot (old Norse sacrifice). However, Sven is offering to take on the lead role and perform the blot and is later chosen as a new king. Inge returns after some time in exile and during a nightly raid on Blot-Sven's hall he is carrying out a so-called innebränning – which means that the hall's gate is latched/locked from the outside and then the hall is set on fire, leaving the owner and his/her family to the flames. According to the tale, Blot-Sven will have been the last king in Svealand to perform the blot. Whether innebränningen took place, or if Inge and Blot-Sven have even existed, is rather unknown. There are other sources about the old kings in Svealand but none have mentioned the two kings. Nevertheless, Kungligt ättartal, gives an interesting insight into the relationship between the exercise of the pre-Christian religion and political power.

Sveablotet is the text on the album that I have taken the most freedom to weave in my own thoughts. The information about the conflict is brief, which has made me fill the gaps with my own interpretations and imagination. For example, the saga does not mention Inge as niding, or explicit that the Norse ritual died with Blot-Sven, but the passage in the saga has for a long time interested me, which resulted in this text.

LYRIC

Ej följer vi, han som bröt vår lag
Och svek asar och hävd
blodoffrets sed, skall hållas för vårt folk
Ett blot för svears väl

Inge, den kristne han fördrevs, och fram klev där en man
Som plägar folkets tro
blod till offerträdets stam, och hästens delar slets.
Ett blot för svears väl

Och lågorna stod i natten - gården brann,
ett flammande hov, vår tid är förbi.
Och de skrin, från de som av elden famnats.
Blev till sång, en helfärdens hymn, vår tid är förbi.

Hämnd, ett illgärningsdåd fyllt av nid
Åter i Svetjud med sin hird.
Död, för drotten som offret har lett, bränn ned hans hall
Ej, ett liv ur denna gården skall se, en gryningens ljus!
Bränn inne dess folk, och med dem dess tro.
Sven som kom ut föll kort för svekfullt stål.
Och högt slog lågorna genom natten - gården brann,
ett flammande hov, vår tid är förbi.
Och de skrin, från de som av elden famnats
Blev till sång, en helfärdens röst, vår tid är förbi.
Aldrig mer, vårt folk ska följa seden
Förfäders rit från urgammal tid, den brinner i natt.
Aldrig mer skall en konung nu följa de gamla.
Aldrig mer ska svearnas blot ge liv till vårt folk
Aldrig mer

English translation:

We do not follow he, who broke our laws
And betrayed Aesir and customs
The blood sacrifice ritual, shall be performed for our people
A blot for the wellbeing of Svear.

The Christian was driven out, and a man emerged
In whom the people put their faith
Blood to the trunk of the sacrificial tree, and the limbs of the horse were torn
A blot for the wellbeing of Svear

And the flames stood high in the night - the hall ablaze,
A flaming temple, our time has passed.
And the screams, from those embraced by fire
Metamorphosed into a song, a Hel-journey hymn, our time has passed.

Revenge, a misdeed filled by guile,
Once again in Svetjud with his housecarls.
”-Death to the sovereign, who led the sacrifice, burn down his hall!
Not one life shall emerge from the hall by the light of dawn
Burn down his hall and his people, and with them their faith!"
Sven, who made it out, soon fell at the hands of deceptive steel.

And the flames struck high in the night – the hall ablaze,
A flaming temple, our time has passed.
And the screams from those the fire embraced.
Metamorphosed into a song, the voice of the Hel-journey, our time has passed.
Never again, will our people follow our customs.
Ancestral rite of ancient times is burning tonight.
Nevermore, will a king follow the old ways.
Nevermore, will the Sveablot bring life to our people.
Nevermore

Illustration by: Kris Verwimp

[Ravenpride]

[youtube][/youtube]

[Ravenpride]

Track No 6. TVENNE DRÖMMAR (Two dreams)

Illustration by: Kris Verwimp

Two Dreams is based on the saga “Om kong Götrik och hans son kong Rolof” (Hrólfs saga Gautrekssonar).
One night the queen of Uppsala, Ingerd, is dreaming that a mighty white bear was coming.
The bear she saw in her dream was in reality the warrior Rolf, who comes to propose to Ingerd and King Erik's daughter. Rolfs visit is received with derision and Rolf may himself go to Ullåker, where the daughter reigns. The proposal is not accepted with kind-heartedness and Rolf and his entourage is chased away by the daughter and her warriors.
Rolf seeks refuge in Scotland where he ties alliances and gains a reputation as a great warrior and later on Rolf travels back to Uppsala with a great army and friends. This time the queen dreams another dream; now of a great entourage with white ferocious bears and a wild boar and this time they are all but friendly.

LYRIC

Hörde du mitt rop, ur sömnens djupa värld
En underlig syn allt till mig kom, jag såg den ljus och klar
Ett följe från götars land, ledda av vit björn.
Med härdad ragg, en högrest best, vars lynne tordes spak

En krigares hamn, har äntrat vårt land
En konunga son, foren hit

Gäckad, prövad, narrad, hånad, blevo götars son
bidar vrede, bort i skoters land.
Vänder åter, ryktbar, härdad med mantalig här
Med broder, och vän, de tre i vilddjurs hamn.
Åter gästar han min dröm

I drömmen jag ser, trenne höga hamnar
Vreda björnar och en stridslysten galt
I drömmen jag ser, trenne höga hamnar
Dräpande folket, ty vårt rike stacks i brand
I drömmen jag ser, trenne höga hamnar
Med skeppshästar vida och ulvar i stor flock
I drömmen jag ser, trenne höga hamnar
Dräpande folk, ty vårt rike står i brand
Den första gång han gästade min sömn,
med lynne så blitt, han foren ej i nid
Den andra gång med vrede och järn, krävandes Ullåkers mö.
Åter gästar han min dröm

I drömmen jag ser, trenne höga hamnar
Vreda björnar och en stridslysten galt
I drömmen jag ser, trenne höga hamnar
Dräpande folket, ty vårt rike stacks i brand
I drömmen jag ser, trenne höga hamnar
Med skeppshästar vida och ulvar i stor flock
I drömmen jag ser, trenne höga hamnar
Dräpande folk, ty vårt rike står i brand

English translation

Did you hear my cry, from the deep world of sleep?
A strange sight came to me, I saw it bright and clear
A companion from the land of Göter, led by a white bear.
With reinforced fur, a giant beast, but with a vacant mind

A warrior's essence, has entered our land
The son of a King, has arrived.

He was ridiculed, tested, fooled, mocked, the son of Götar
Biding anger, in the land of the Scots.
Returns, infamous, strengthened and with a vast army.
With brother and friend, all in the skin of beasts.

Once again, he enters my dream

In the dream I saw, three great shapes
Angered bears and a furious boar
In the dream I saw, three great shapes
Slaying our people, as our kingdom was set ablaze
In the dream I saw, three high shapes
With wide ships and packs of wolves
In the dream I saw, three great shapes
Slaying our people, though our kingdom was set ablaze

The first time he visited my dream,
With a mind so serene, no ferocity in him.
The second time with anger and steel, demanding the maiden of Ullåker.

Once again, he enters my dream

In the dream I saw, three great shapes
Angered bears and a furious boar
In the dream I saw, three great shapes
Slaying our people, as our kingdom was set ablaze
In the dream I saw, three high shapes
With wide ships and packs of wolves
In the dream I saw, three great shapes
Slaying our people, though our kingdom was set ablaze

[Ravenpride]

Track No 7. KRAKES SISTA STRID (Krakes final battle)

Illustration by: Kris Verwimp

Rolf Krake is a frequent name in the Old Norse poetry and prose. In the end of “the saga of Rolf Krake” (Hrólfr Kraki's Saga Kraka), Rolf Krake fights his last battle.
After reining his kingdom for many years, his sister and his brother-in-law turn against him and attack his home. In Krakes army there are many other famous fighters such as the famous berserker Bjarki Bjarke who also occurs in Bjarkamál, and together they are preparing for their final battle alongside their oath given king. The battle is surrounded by supernatural elements.
The berserker Bjarkes essence takes its place in the battle as a big ferocious bear, which is one of the most famous descriptions of a shape-shifters ability. However, it is not only Krake that has supernatural help in the battle; Krake's sister Skuld is half an alf and the brother-in-law Hjörvarðr has “sejdkonor” (sorceresses) in his ranks that are using their magic to awaken the fallen warriors to fight yet again. In the end, Krakes army is overpowered…

LYRIC

Herre, vakna upp
Eran syster är här, med hat, svek, nid och stål
Räck mig, Sköfnung till min hand
Hennes klinga ska sjunga, låt höra hennes sång

Till en sista strid, en sista kamp, kallar på oss
En sista strid, vi ej döden rädes
till en sista kamp, kallar på oss

Hämta, det bästa mjödet fram
Hälsa Skuld vi är sorgfri, låt möta hennes grin
Samla, hären vid vår port
Vi är bundna till ödet, till nornornas dom

Fallna kämpar, stiger åter upp
De döda reser, lik som går igen
Mot trolldoms krafter, hjälper föga mod
Samman vi kämpar, Krakes sista strid

Där de tågade ut, prydda brynjor och spjut.
Vigdjärvt och stålhärdat folk.
Till blodfränkans svek, och till hugstor svärdslek
En fejd mellan syster och bror

I den slakt som där stod, flöda man mod och blod
Jämna var härarnas prov
Driven av guld, ondsinnad var Skuld
Vars sinne var fyllt utav rov
Före konungen stred, en slagbjörn så vred
ej pilar, ej svärdseggen bet
Men i fiendens hop, hördes sejdkonors rop
Som runor och dödsgaldrar slet
Med trolldom och nid, vändes strid.

Mitt i svärdsleken varm, under fegmärktas larm
Fälldes den hugstore drott
Rolf blev kastad i hög, väl prövad han dög
Sådan var konungens lott

Fallna kämpar, stiger åter upp
De döda reser, lik som går igen
Mot trolldoms krafter, hjälper föga mod
Samman vi faller, Krakes sista strid

English translation

Lord, wake up
Your sister is here, with hatred, deceit, ferocity and steel
Hand me Sköfnung
Her blade shall sing, let us hear her song

One last battle, one last fight, calling upon us.
One last battle, we do not fear death
A final fight, calling upon us

Bring forth our best mead.
Tell Skuld we are carefree, let us see her grin
Gather the army at our gate.
We are bound to our fate, to the judgment of the Norns.

Fallen warriors, rising again
The dead rising, corpses living again
Against magic, courage does us no good
Together we will fight, Krake's final battle
There they marched out, adorned chain mails and spears.
Valiant and war trained folks.
To kinsmen’s betrayal, and great sword dance
A feud between sister and brother

In the slaughter that stood, a flood of courage and blood
Even strong the armies fought
Driven by gold, malevolent was Skuld
Whose mind was filled but of prey

In front the King, fought a furious bear
No arrows or sword made him harm
But in the enemy’s lead, Sejdkonor screech
As they runes and death-galdr tore
With sorcery and ferocity, the battle turned.

In the middle of the fight, among men destined to die.
Our great King fell
Rolf was thrown in great mound, a well-tested man
Such was the King's share

Fallen warriors, rising again
The dead rising, corpses living again
Against magic, courage does no good
Together we fall, in Krake's final battle

[Ravenpride]

Track No 8. Dödskvädet (The death song)

Illustration by: Kris Verwimp

Dödskvädet is based on different stanzas of Ragnar Lodbroks death song (Krákumál). A poem of 29 verses, probably derived from the 1200 century.
The poem has never been translated into Swedish; however, the lyric poetry in Dödskvädet is based on several different verses that are assembled.
Krákumál is about Ragnar Lodbroks many deeds, but the most interesting thing about the poem is perhaps its ending where Lodbrok mentions that he wants to die laughing – an ideal among the great warriors and followers of Odin.

LYRIC

Svärd svingats har och spjutens ting jag utkämpat
Kämpat har, stridit har
Som ung jag färgat spjut och mången segrar jag vunnit
Blodat mark, stridigt stark

Asar bjuder mig hem,
döden är ej av sorg
Oden välkomnar mig
och skrattande vill jag dö

Diserna sända hit
från Härjafaderns eviga hall
Oden välkomnar mig.
Med Asar jag bälgar mitt öl

Svärd svingats har, och spjutens ting jag utkämpat
Skrattande vill jag dö

English translation

Swords have been wielded, and the spears assembly I have fought
Fought I have, waged war I did
As a young man I dyed spears, and many victories I won
Blooded soils, fought strong

Aesir invites me home,
Death is not of sorrow
Oden welcomes me
And laughing I want to die

The dísir have been sent here
From Odin’s great hall
Odin welcomes me.
With aesir I bellows my beer

Swords have been wielded, and the spears assembly I have fought
Laughing shall I die

[Ravenpride]

[youtube][/youtube]

[Ravenpride]

[youtube][/youtube]

[Ravenpride]

[youtube][/youtube]