1.

Vindålder, vargålder (Instrumental)

Gylfaginning (The Beguiling of Gylfi) is perhaps the most important text in the Old Norse mythology corpus, as it deals
with the creation and destruction of the world of the Æsir. The title of the song, which means “wind-age, wolf-age”, is
taken from stanza 51, and it deals with Ragnarök, the Weird of the Gods.

Lineup:
Manuel Villar Lifac: Violin, cello, contrabass
Samuel Izcaray: Violin, viola
Sergio Ribnikov Gunnarsson: Keyboards

2. Fri

Fri (Free) is a song about liberation through the power of music and everything that unites us.

Lineup:
Johanna Ribnikov Gunnarsson: Vocals
Stina Jadelius Engelbrecht: Vocals
Sergio Ribnikov Gunnarsson: Vocals, Irish bouzouki, percussion
Santiago Molina: Härjedalspipa, Uilleann pipes
Manuel Villar Lifac: Violin, contrabass, ronroco, charango
Alberto Castillo Asenjo: Bodhrán, Cymbals

Fri, vill bara vá fri Vill bara vara

Fria att leva vårt liv
Vi ska viska visor och de ska växa fram och väcka upp Mången gång låt oss spela
Starka känslor hos oss männskor, alla och en var Fri, vill bara vá fri
För full lunga får vi så sjunga, våra röster höja Vi vill leva, vá hela
Falskhet röja, aldrig dröja kvar Vill bara vara
Fria att välja vårt liv
Fri, vill bara vá fri Spelman spela din fela
Vi vill leva, vá hela
Vill bara vara Spela din fela
Fria att leva vårt liv
Mången gång låt oss spela Fri, fri...
Fri, vill bara vá fri Fria, fri...
Vi vill leva, vá hela Fria vá fri...
Vill bara vara Fria vá fria...
Fria att välja vårt liv
Spelman spela din fela Fri, vill bara vá fri
Vi vill leva, vá hela
Solen skiner, vindarna viner, hjärtan brinner i vart bröst Vill bara vara
Finner trösten, inger löften, frihet är vårt krav Fria att leva vårt liv
Vågor svalla, lågor som kalla samman allas längtan Mången gång låt oss spela
Väntan, trängtan, sen mot öppet hav Fri, vill bara vá fri
Vi vill leva, vá hela
Fri, vill bara vá fri Vill bara vara
Vi vill leva, vá hela Fria att välja vårt liv
Spelman spela din fela
 3. Dacw ’Nghariad 4. Varulv
Dacw ’Nghariad (There is my love) is our own version of a well-known Welsh love song that we learned for our concerts in The Varulv (werewolf) is a cornerstone egregore in Germanic/Scandinavian Medieval superstition. This song tells the story
Y Wladfa, the Welsh settlement in Patagonia. We dedicate it to all our friends there! of a tortured soul condemned to roam the Earth as a self-loathing, blood-thirsty lycanthrope.
Lineup: Lineup:
Johanna Ribnikov Gunnarsson: Vocals Sergio Ribnikov Gunnarsson: Vocals, Irish bouzouki, percussion
Sergio Ribnikov Gunnarsson: Vocals, Irish bouzouki, percussion Johanna Ribnikov Gunnarsson: Vocals
Santiago Molina: Whistles, Galician bagpipes Santiago Molina: Tin whistle, Galician bagpipes
Manuel Villar Lifac: Violin, cello, contrabass Manuel Villar Lifac: Violin, cello, contrabass
Pablo Schivo: Hurdy gurdy Albert Castillo Asenjo: Bodhrán, cymbals
Freddy Santana MacKinlay: Tin whistle
Albert Castillo Asenjo: Bodhrán, cymbals
Dacw ‘nghariad i lawr yn y berllan Dacw’r dderwen wych ganghennog Dacw ‘nghariad i lawr yn y berllan En un día gris de otoño su conciencia despertó “Colmillo y garra el alma parten en dos
Tw rym di ro rym di radl didl dal Tw rym di ro rym di radl didl dal Tw rym di ro rym di radl didl dal Se miró al espejo y su reflejo no lo traicionó La manada te reclama, los aullidos son su voz”
O na bawn i yno fy hunan Golwg arni sydd dra serchog O na bawn i yno fy hunan Sufrió una cruel, feroz transmutación:
Tw rym di ro rym di radl didl dal Tw rym di ro rym di radl didl dal Tw rym di ro rym di radl didl dal En los ojos grises de un labriego un lobo se mostró Luna de locura
Dacw’r tŷ, a dacw’r ‘sgubor Mi arhosaf yn ei chysgod Dacw’r tŷ, a dacw’r ‘sgubor Lobo y hombre se debaten
Dacw ddrws y beudy’n agor Nes daw ‘nghariad i ‘ngyfarfod Dacw ddrws y beudy’n agor En la densa niebla el bosque ocultaba la verdad Subsistencia oscura
Ffaldi radl didl dal, ffaldi radl didl dal Ffaldi radl didl dal, ffaldi radl didl dal Ffaldi radl didl dal, ffaldi radl didl dal Rastros de pelea, sangre y restos de humanidad Luchó, aulló
Tw rym di ro rym di radl didl dal Tw rym di ro rym di radl didl dal Tw rym di ro rym di radl didl dal Doscientos huesos sobre un lúgubre altar: Hasta perder la razón
Sus cabellos rubios en el suelo con su dignidad
I den skog där ingen bor där ska du löpa varg
Luna de locura Dina stigar ligga vida bakom ödsligt berg
Noche de pasión y sangre Vid den tjärn där inget värn är, under jordfast sten
Subsistencia oscura Ska du vara många dagar ingen man till men
Su luz bebió Eldar brinner, sorger rinner genom kött och skinn
Hasta perder la razón Ta i ring, och kittel kring, och varg i veum binder dig

Un camino de antorchas se abre desde la ciudad En un día gris de otoño su hechizo expiró
Maldicen su nombre: bestia inmunda es su identidad Herido de muerte, fue mi lanza que lo atravesó
Lanzas de abeto llevan, muérdago y sal Triste ironía, amarga desolación:
Piensan con su filo blanco atravesar la oscuridad Con su voz quebrada mi hermano me agradeció

Han pasado ocho años de aquel maleficio atroz

Cuando su madrastra nigromante orquestó su adiós:

5. Trallvaret
Trallvaret (the Alvar lilt) is an early summer love song that Johanna wrote for Sergio, inspired by the nature of her native
island of Öland.

Lineup:
Johanna Ribnikov Gunnarsson: Vocals
Samuel Izcaray: Violin, viola
Manuel Villar Lifac: Cello, contrabass
 Se Alvrets blomsterdräkt
I försommarfläkt
Återuppväckt
Hör där ljuvt gremlans klara trall
Än fagrare är vännen min, så kär
Och se Alvrets hårda fåk
Snö på vart stråk
Vid vindarnas bråk
Känn dess värmande sommarsol
Än starkare min kärlekslåga är
Av alla de sköna ting som mora-jora bär
Av allt som jag har kärt
Det fagraste du är
Älska dig ska jag uti livets alla dar
Tills hjärtat mitt slutar slå
Och får jag vandra bredvid dig
Genom mina levnadsdar
Den älskogslust vi har
I glädje hålla kvar
Får jag tillsammans med dig spela denna sång
Så ska jag för evigt glader vara
Se Alvrets blomsterdräkt
I försommarfläkt
Återuppväckt
Hör där ljuvt gremlans klara trall
Än fagrare är vännen min, så kär
Och se Alvrets hårda fåk
Snö på vart stråk
Vid vindarnas bråk
Känn dess värmande sommarsol
Än starkare min kärlekslåga är
Och alvret i trallen sig beklär

6. Ottar Handelsman
Thanks to a scribe in Alfred the Great’s court, we know that “Ottar Handelsman” (Ottar the Merchant) was an explorer and
seafarer from the northernmost part of Norway, who appeared before the Anglo-Saxon king in 890 CE. Inspired by this
meeting, we tell the alternative story of how Ottar sold King Alfred a Sea Unicorn’s horn.

Lineup:
Johanna Ribnikov Gunnarsson: Vocals
Sergio Ribnikov Gunnarsson: Vocals, Irish bouzouki
Santiago Molina: Galician pipes
Manuel Villar Lifac: Violin, contrabass
Albert Castillo Asenjo: Bodhrán
Samuel Izcaray, Yamil Ladner, Roberto Castiglioni: Backing vocals

Var hälsad konung Alfred här i saxars land
Hör, Ottar är mitt namn, en handelsman
Jag bär med mig en dyrbarhet från Noregs strand
En säregen tand
Horn från en havsenhörning
Jag har färdats över vidan hav
För att finna hornen
Sökt mig dit där natten ock är dag
Isbeklädda Norden
Har bekämpat best av sällsamt slag
Rikt benådad vorden
Månne havet en dag bli min grav
Då min jakt på hornen går
Välkommen här Ohthere som på Nordsjön far
Med hornen som du har i ditt förvar
Säg, är den fyrbent besten du bekämpat har?
Må vara rentav självaste näckahästen?
Må du nyttja hjälp från högre makt
För att finna hornen?
Är den bestens enda hemviststrakt
Isbeklädda Norden?
Har du ensam livet om den bragt?
Rikt benådad vorden
Är det sant som det så ofta sagts
Om den kraft som hornen bär?
Dess kraft obeveklig är
Wiht cwom æfter wege wrætlico liþan
Cymlic frō ceole cleopode to londe
Hlinsade hlude— leahtor wæs gryrelic
Egesful on earde ecge wæron scearpe
Wæs hio hetegrim hilde to sæne
Biter beadoweorca bordweallas grof
Heardhiþende heterune bond
Den fålen herre Alfred, är en vansklig fångst
Dess horn sju alnar långt och gott till mångt
Det renar vatten, botar farsot och förfång
Förmår därutom avhålla ålderdomen
Jag har färdats där blott vildmark är
För att finna hornen
I ett land som dolda väsen när
Isbeklädda Norden
Men en konung som det horn frambär
Rikt benådad vorden
Språkas vitt om äran han uppbär
Över hela jorden
 7. A Sailor’s Wife

Our own version of a well-known Swedish halarvisa (hauling song): En sjömans brud skall blåklädd gå (A sailor’s wife
shall wear blue clothes).

Lineup:
Johanna Ribnikov Gunnarsson: Vocals
Sergio Ribnikov Gunnarsson: Vocals
Santiago Molina: Percussion
Manuel Villar Lifac: Violin, cello, contrabass
Albert Castillo Asenjo: Bodhrán
A sailor’s wife shall wear blue clothes A sailor’s wife shall learn how to sing One day the sailor fell on a knife
Stay, oh lads, belay Stay, oh lads, belay Stay, oh lads, belay
To look like a billow as she goes To soothe the storm, to soften its sting She left the strand, no longer a wife
Hold fast, me boys Hold fast, me boys Hold fast, me boys

A sailor’s wife shall be like a stone A sailor’s wife shall stay on dry land She shortened her hair
Stay, oh lads, belay Stay, oh lads, belay took note of the tide
To be on her own, to face the unknown Never ever to live adventure firsthand Stay, oh lads, belay
Hold fast, me boys Hold fast, me boys She rode the blue billows
Let the wind be her guide
Hold fast, me boys
8. Näktergal

Our interpretation of a Scandinavian/ West Germanic ballad, Näktergal (Nightingale) tells the story of a maiden
transformed into a singing bird by her stepmother and the abuse she suffered at the hands of a ruthless man.

Lineup:
Johanna Ribnikov Gunnarsson: Vocals
Sergio Ribnikov Gunnarsson: Vocals, Irish bouzouki, percussion
Santiago Molina: Galician bagpipes
Manuel Villar Lifac: Violin, cello, contrabass

I aftonstund en näktergal
Sin sång så ljuvligt upplåter
Hon sjunger tungsint ur sitt kval
Mens hon sitt öde begråter
Och riddarn hejdar sin fåle grå
”Din visa skall du mig kväda
Med gull jag vill din’ fjä’r beslå
Din hals med pärlor bekläda”
”Och hör du liten näktergal
Vad jag dig strax vill tillbjuda
Du sjunger enkom i min sal
Att mat och husrum åtnjuta”
”Ack nej, jag passar ej i din sal
Ett enda vill jag bestämma
Min frihet är mitt enda val
Ej regn och hunger mig skrämma”
På sjunde dan vår näktergal
Den riddarns vrede upprycker
”Jag vill ha sång här i min sal”
En kniv mot halsen han trycker
Hon skapte sig till en lindorm stor
Sitt gift i riddarn utgjuter
Men riddarns kniv i bröstet for
Dem båda döden omsluter

”Jag passar ej i gull uppå
Min hals den klär ej i pärlor
Min visa skall du ändå få
Här under himmelens stjärnor
En fager ungsven mitt hjärta stal
Min styvmors vrede uppryckte
Hon skapte mig till näktergal
Min bror till varulv förtryckte”
SWEDISH ORIGINAL
Men riddarn greppar fågelns fot
Och för´na hem till sin boning
Fast hon så visst det sa emot
Han handlar utan förskoning
Hon sätts för regel uti hans hall
Uppå sin frihet berövad
Så aldrig mer hon sjunga skall
Av agg och avsky bedövad
I aftonstund en näktergal
Från lindens kvist fick erfara
En ungmös död i riddarns sal
Sökte sin frihet försvara
I nattens tystnad den fågeln nu
Sin sång så sorgligt upplåter
Om hon som sattes uti bur
Den flickans öde begråter
 9. Carmina Oelandica Windy greetings, one and all, Here we are once more where you belong
I am writing you from home And your gleaming eyes, your smile
“Carmina Oelandica” (Poems from Öland) depicts the hard life of a skurverk (scouring mill) worker in the past. Besides From the house where she was born They shake me to my very core
In the south of Heaven Tell me, please, once more about your home
describing daily life as a working hero, the song -partly in Oelandic dialect - combines motifs from Carmina Burana, the Eddaic Tell me how it feels, what do you see
Grottesången and Viktor Rydberg’s Den Nya Grottesången. On this island I adore When you close your eyes, my love
An old windmill still stands tall
Lineup: Where the ocean meets the shore Vinden stryker om mitt hår
Johanna Ribnikov Gunnarsson: Vocals And the swans do gather Sommarn doftar där jag står
Sergio Ribnikov Gunnarsson: Vocals, Irish bouzouki It’s home! På den ön där jag är född
Santiago Molina: Pinkillu Åkern kläder sig i guld
It was many years ago
Kvarnen går, den maler Dack på förman, glöpen tar han In the darkness and the snow Skärvor på en stenig strand
Våran go-sten slipas dagen lång Det som flis-karln skull fått That I first arrived in tow Vaktar på en helig skatt
But och flisa, vind, vår lisa In this place of wonders Vid en stubbkvarn målad röd
Hjulet har sin gång Fortune rota volvitur Minnen från mitt/ditt barndoms land... vårt hem
Descendo minoratus Feel my spirit’s wings unfold
Oxa drager, skurverksnavet Alter in altum tollitur All those monuments of old Hem i Norden
Grinar ut sin klagopsalm Nimis exaltatus All the stories I’ve been told Endlöst Alvar
Öket tungt, följ oxa runt Rex sedet in vertice Gave my restless self a brand Sweet home
Här slipas mången palm Caveat ruinam! New home Här i Norden
Nam sub axe legimus Ett guldbroderat landskap
Har vi malbör, välfylld stenbjörn Hecubam reginam Hem i Norden Hem i Norden
Båd te kvarn och skurverk Endlöst Alvar Tidlöst Alvar
Liv och russel, väj för skjutsen Stärk drar Fenja, färm tar Menja Sweet home Sweet home
Skutan väntar i hamn Grotte, en ohävlig but Här i Norden Här i Norden
Jätten stret nok better Ett guldbroderat landskap Ett guldbroderat landskap
Främmigt folk blé vé vår sten Tjäänt e föök föruten slut Hem i Norden
Di bygger körka, hus och slott Tidlöst Alvar It’s home!
Heminté i väl och ve Fogden Frode trood han gjorde Sweet home
En husbonn har det gott Klokt ta di te trälavärv Här i Norden
Antererad blé han sedan Ett guldbroderat landskap
Mens en anni stretar, kan di veta Malt sä te fördärv
Hocken bet dé é
Int så dapert, alltin knapert Skarpa hällor, alvrekällor
Tjäänt för liten lott Varevi dá vår hamn på jora
Dela strävseln, ock förtjänsten
Kaas och hanka, harponknarpa Kvarnen snurrar sitt varv 11. Kelter och götar
För att klara leven
Ever since we laid our eyes on the Gundestrup cauldron, we have always wanted to write a song about it. Kelter och götar
(Celts and Geats) is a medley of Nordic and Celtic melodies that weaves four legendary tales inspired by the cauldron’s
10. Endless Alvar imageries.

Lineup:
This is a genre-bending, progressive-folk song that Sergio wrote for Johanna as a declaration of love to their eternal Johanna Ribnikov Gunnarsson: Vocals
home: Öland Sergio Ribnikov Gunnarsson: Vocals, Irish bouzouki, percussion
Manuel Villar Lifac: Violin, cello, contrabass
Lineup: Santiago Molina: Galician bagpipes
Sergio Ribnikov Gunnarsson: Vocals, Irish bouzouki, keyboards, percussion Freddy Santana MacKinlay: Great Highland bagpipes
Johanna Ribnikov Gunnarsson: Vocals Manuel Villar Lifac: Violin, cello, contrabass
Manuel Villar Lifac: Violin, cello, contrabass Albert Castillo Asenjo: Bodhrán, cymbals

I månens ljus synes glimma
En kittel från forntida dar
Ett eko höres i dimman
Då öden förtäljs i det kar
Under eken nu ljuder druidinnans sång
Färdas tidlös i natten så klar
Hennes slev den rörs i stilla gång
Valan siar och spörsmål får svar
På vall vår fänad : fraiwą :
Väl betjänad : fraiwą :
Rågen mogen : fraiwą :
Går ulv i skogen : fraiwą :
Vildfä kring : fraiwą :
Med halsringelrangel : fraiwą :
Hornprydd är : fraiwą :
Och frukt bär förnan : fraiwą :
Gudatronen : fraiwą :
Rätt mot jorden : fraiwą :
Hela horden : fraiwą :
Nu frodig vorden : fraiwą :
Vildfä kring : fraiwą :
Med halsringelrangel : fraiwą :
Hornprydd är : fraiwą :
Och frukt bär förnan : fraiwą :
Hej hoppsan i galoppsan
Striden går mot Méabh vid Cooley vad san
Hej hoppsan i galoppsan
Själv Cú Chullainn dräper män på rad san
Ulaidhs bruna oxe vill Méabh ha san
Slåss mot kungens vita ska den bra san
Ges den inte villigt ska den tas san
Leder män i striden dra å sta san
Méabh hon befaller, männen de faller
Tvekar gör hon ej för krigets smak
Inga övervinna stridernas gudinna
Finna övertag är hennes sak
Hej hoppsan i galoppsan
Svår går kampen mellan oxar två san
Hej hoppsan i galoppsan
Méabh når segern så som fät förmås san
Hej hoppsan i galoppsan
Härjat ligger land för lysten hand san
Hej hoppsan i galoppsan
Folk och fä förgås där Méabh går fram san
Hej gå fram, alle man
Följer ledet, stundar skedet
Krigets larm, bak och fram
Flyktar, höres åter
Sköld och lans, stridens glans
Möter guden, ikläs skruden
Ödet spanns, dödens dans
Livets träd upplåter
Hör nu lurens klang
Som leder fram till karet
Lurar tre, så det må ske
Som ger det rätta svaret
Guden ber oss vida strida
Vinden ber oss rida
Ormen leder oss dithän
Där ståt och sällhet bida
The sun is shining, the winds are blowing, hearts burning in every breast
Hej gå fram, alle man
Följer ledet, stundar skedet
Krigets larm, bak och fram
Flyktar, höres åter
Sköld och lans, stridens glans
Möter guden, ikläs skruden
Ödet spanns, dödens dans
Livets träd upplåter
Hör nu lurens klang
Som leder fram till karet
Lurar tre, så det må ske
Som ger det rätta svaret
Guden ber oss vida strida
Vinden ber oss rida
Ormen leder oss dithän
Där ståt och sällhet bida
Ormen leder oss dithän
Där ståt och sällhet bida
Looked himself in the mirror and his reflection did not betray him
TRANSLATIONS
1. Wind-age, wolf-age (Instrumental)
2. Free
Free, just want to be free
We will whisper songs and they will grow and give rise to
Strong emotions in us humans, each and everyone
At the top of our lungs we get to sing, raising our voices
Falsehood expose, never to linger
Chorus:
Free, just want to be free
We want to live, to be whole
Just want to be
Free to live our lives
Many a time let us play
Free, just want to be free
We want to live, to be whole
Just want to be
Free to choose our lives
Fiddler play your fiddle
Finding comfort, making promises, freedom is our condition
Waves swell, flames that summon everyone’s longing
The wait, the urge, then towards the open sea
Repeat chorus
3. There is my love
There is my sweetheart down in the orchard
Oh how I wish I were there myself
There is the house and there is the barn
There is the door of the cow house open
There is the gallant, branching oak
A vision, lovingly crowned
I will wait in her shade
Until my love comes to meet me
Repeat stanza 1
4. Werewolf
On a gray autumn day his conscience awoke
He underwent a cruel, fierce transmutation:
In the gray eyes of a peasant a wolf surfaced
In the dense fog the forest hid the truth
Traces of fighting, blood and human remains
Two hundred bones on a gloomy altar:
Her blonde hair on the ground, with her dignity
Moon of madness
Night of passion and blood
Dark existence
Her light he drank
Until losing his mind
A path of torches makes way from the city
They curse his name: filthy beast is his identity
Spruce spears they carry, mistletoe and salt
With the white edge they intend to pierce the darkness
Eight years have passed since that dreadful curse
When his necromantic stepmother orchestrated his farewell:
“Fang and claw rip the soul in two,
The pack claims you, the howls are their voice”
Moon of madness
Wolf and man struggle
Dark existence
He fought, he howled
Until losing his mind
In the forest where no one lives, you shall race as a wolf
Your paths lie wide beyond desolate mountains
By the pond where there is no shelter, under solid rock
You shall remain many days, far from man
Fires burn, sorrows course through flesh and skin
Make a ring, and around the cauldron, varg i veum binds you
On a gray autumn day his spell was lifted,
Mortally wounded, it was my spear that pierced him
Sad irony, bitter desolation:
With a broken voice my brother thanked me
5. The Alvar lilt
(Lilt)
See the Alvar’s floral costume
In the early summer breeze
Revived
Hear there the sweet golden plover’s vibrant lilt
My darling is even more beautiful, so beloved
And
See the Alvar’s hard winter storm
Snow on every stretch
By the clamoring winds
Feel its warming summer sun
Even stronger is the flame of my love
Of all the beautiful things that Mother Earth provides
Of all that I hold dear
The most beautiful you are
I will love you for the rest of my life
Until my heart stops beating
And if I may
Walk beside you throughout my years
The desire for lovemaking
In joy uphold
If I may perform this song with you
I will be forever happy
See the Alvar’s floral costume
In the early summer breeze
Revived
Hear there the sweet golden plover’s vibrant lilt
My darling is even more beautiful, so beloved
And
See the Alvar’s hard winter storm
Snow on every stretch
By the clamoring winds
Feel its warming summer sun
Even stronger is the flame of my love
And the Alvar is clad in lilt
6. Ottar the Merchant
Greetings King Alfred here in the land of the Saxons
Hear, Ottar is my name, a merchant
I carry with me a treasure from the coast of Norway
A peculiar tooth
The horn of a sea unicorn
I have traveled across the wide seas
To find the horns
Adventured myself where night is also day
The ice-covered North
Have fought beasts of strange kinds
Richly rewarded I was
Shall the sea one day become my grave?
As my hunt for the horns goes on
Be welcome Ohthere who travels the North Sea
With the horns you have in your safekeeping
Say, is it a four-legged beast you fought?
May it be in fact none other than the very Kelpie?
Are you assisted by higher powers
To find the horns?
Is the beast’s only habitat
The ice-covered North?
Have you singlehandedly robbed it of its life?
Richly rewarded you were “Oh no, your hall does not suit me When another one is struggling,
Is it true as it has so often been said One thing only I want to decide Do they know how hard it is?
Of the power that these horns carry? My freedom is my only choice It is not trouble-free, always challenging’
Neither rain nor hunger scares me” A lot of work for small pay
Its power is relentless
But the knight grabs the bird’s foot Hard to make ends meet, constant sacrifice
A thing came marvelously moving over the waves, comely from the keel up. And takes her to his dwelling In order to survive
It called out to the land, loudly resounding. Its laughter was horrible, Although she undoubtedly said no Tired of the foreman, the glutton he takes
awful in its place. Its edges were sharp; hateful it was, and sluggish to He acts without mercy What the stoneworker should have gotten
battle, bitter in its hostile deeds. It dug into shield-walls, hard, ravaging. She is sat behind bars in his hall
It spread mischievous spells. Of her freedom deprived The wheel of Fortune turns;
So never again shall she sing I sink, debased;
That foal, Alfred sire, is a challenging catch Muted by resentment and disgust Another is raised up; lifted too high,
Its horn seven ells long and good for much A king sits on the top
It purifies water, cures plagues and ailments On the seventh day our nightingale Let him beware ruin!
It can also keep old age at bay Awakens the knight’s anger For under the axle we read
“I want birdsong here in my hall” Queen Hecuba.
I have traveled where only wilderness is A knife to her neck he presses
To find the horns She transforms herself into a large lindworm Strongly pulls Fenja, deftly grabs Menja
In a land that hidden beings reach And pours out her poison on the knight Grotte, a massive boulder
The ice-covered North But the knight’s knife enters her chest A giant certainly works hard
But a king who procures a horn Death embraces both of them Long-hour work shifts without pause
Would be richly rewarded
There is talk of the honor he receives In the evening a nightingale Bailiff Frode though it was
All over the world From a twig on a linden could witness Clever to enslave them in labor
A young lady’s death in a knight’s hall Surprised was he later on
As she sought to defend her freedom As he was ground to perdition
7. A Sailor’s Wife (in English) Now in the silence of the night that bird
With her song so sadly tells the story Sharp rocks, Alvar springs
8. Nightingale Of the one who was put in a cage Every day our haven on Earth
Mourning that girl’s fate Share the effort and the profit
In the evening a nightingale The mill goes round
Her song so sweetly delivers 9. Poems from Öland
She sings sadly in her anguish 10. Endless Alvar
Mourning her fate in tears The windmill goes, it scours
When a knight stops his gray foal Our best limestone is ground all day long Windy greetings, one and all,
“Your ballad you shall sing to me Boulder and slabs, the wind means our luck I am writing you from home
In gold I want to cover your feathers The wheel goes round From the house where she was born
And your neck with pearls adorn” In the south of Heaven
The ox hauls, the scouring mill
“Being covered in gold does not suit me Weeps its lament On this island I adore
Pearls do not look good on my neck The yoke is heavy, follow the ox around! An old windmill still stands tall
You shall even so hear my ballad Many palms of stone are scoured here Where the ocean meets the shore
Here under the stars of heaven And the swans do gather
A handsome swain stole my heart If we have favorable winds the stone cart gets well-filled It’s home!
My stepmother’s anger it awoke Both for the windmill and the scouring mill on the ground
She transformed me into a nightingale Hustle and bustle, give way to the cart! It was many years ago
And my brother into a werewolf” The ship is waiting in port In the darkness and the snow
That I first arrived in tow
“Oh, hear now little nightingale Strangers procure our stone In this place of wonders
What I just want to offer you They build churches, houses and castles
You shall sing in my hall alone While at home, in good and bad times Feel my spirit’s wings unfold
Enjoying food and accommodation” A master takes his pleasures All those monuments of old
 All the stories I’ve been told
Gave my restless self a brand
New home
The seeress augurs and questions get answered
Home in the North
Endless Alvar
Sweet home
Here in the North
A gold-embroidered landscape
Home in the North
Timeless Alvar
Sweet home
Here in the North
A gold-embroidered landscape
(Interlude)
Here we are once more where you belong
And your gleaming eyes, your smile
They shake me to my very core
Tell me, please, once more about your home
Tell me how it feels, what do you see
When you close your eyes, my love
The wind strokes my hair
The smell of summer where I stand
On the island where I was born
The field is dressed in gold
Shards on a rocky beach
Guard a sacred treasure
By a windmill painted red
Memories from the land of my/your childhood… our home
Home in the North
Endless Alvar
Sweet home
Here in the North
A gold-embroidered landscape
Home in the North
Timeless Alvar
Sweet home
Here in the North
A gold-embroidered landscape
It’s home!
11. Celts and Geats
People and animals perish where Méabh goes
In the light of the moon there shines
A cauldron from ancient times
An echo is heard in the fog
When fate is told in that vat
Under the oak the druidess’ song resounds now
It travels timeless at night, so clear
Her ladle moves slowly
Meet the god, they are donned a garment
On the grass our cattle graze : fraiwą:
Well served : fraiwą:
The rye is ripe : fraiwą:
The wolf walks in the forest : fraiwą:
Wild beasts around : fraiwą:
With a serpent neck-ring : fraiwą:
Adorned with horns : fraiwą:
And the litterfall bears fruit : fraiwą:
Godly throne : fraiwą:
Earth itself : fraiwą:
The whole horde : fraiwą:
Now becomes lush : fraiwą:
Wild beasts around : fraiwą:
With a serpent neck-ring : fraiwą:
Adorned with horns : fraiwą:
And the litterfall bears fruit : fraiwą:
Meet the god, they are donned a garment
Hey ho, in full gallop
The battle goes against Méabh at Cooley ford
Hey ho, in full gallop
Cú Chullainn himself kills men in a row
Ulaidh’s brown ox Méabh desires
For it shall fight well against the king’s white
If it is not given willingly, it shall be taken
Leads men in battle at once
Meabh commands and men fall
She does not hesitate before the taste of war
No one overcomes the goddess of battle
Finding the upper hand is her business
Hey ho, in full gallop
The battle between the two oxen is tough
Hey ho, in full gallop
Méabh achieves victory by compelling the ox
Hey ho, in full gallop
The land is ravaged by the greedy hand
Hey ho, in full gallop
Hey, march ahead, all men
Follow the line, the time is nigh
The uproar of war, back and forth
Vanishes, it is heard again
Shield and lance, the glory of battle
Fate is woven, the dance of death
The tree of life provides
Now hear the sound of the carnyx
Which leads to the tub
Three carnyces, so it must happen
For to get the right answer
The god asks us to fight far and wide
The wind asks us to ride
The serpent leads us there
Where glory and splendor await
Hey, march ahead, all men
Follow the line, the time is nigh
The uproar of war, back and forth
Vanishes, it is heard again
Shield and lance, the glory of battle
Fate is woven, the dance of death
The tree of life provides
Now hear the sound of the carnyx
Which leads to the tub
Three carnyces, so it must happen
For to get the right answer
The god asks us to fight far and wide
The wind asks us to ride
The serpent leads us there
Where glory and splendor await
The serpent leads us there
Where glory and splendor await
VILSEVIND

is a Swedish folk act that blends the Nordic and Celtic musical traditions with newly-composed songs. Though they are based in
Gothenburg, the multicultural duo made up of spouses Johanna Gunnarsson and Sergio Ribnikov draw inspiration from Johanna’s
native home, the Baltic isle of Öland.

In early 2019 they released a full-length album titled Dag o natt (Day and night), in which the writings of Oelandic bard Erik
Johan Stagnelius play a central part. Later that year, they released a single titled Ulven, räven, haren (The wolf, the fox, the
hare), which features Occitan singer Guillaume López Vidal (Brotto-López). In 2020 they released a single titled Huldra, which is
a cover version of the song composed by English folk duo Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman. In December 2021 they released a
Christmas EP titled Julegille (The Yule banquet).

Kelter och götar (Celts and Geats) is their second full-length. Both through the music and the lyrics, this 11 track record seeks to
bring together the Swedish and Celtic traditions. The songs are sung in Swedish, English, Spanish, Welsh, Latin, and in Oelandic
dialect. The stories behind the lyrics take the listener back to a semi-legendary past where the peoples inhabiting Northern
Europe shared life and lore. Musically, it is a darker and more archaic-sounding album than its predecessor, featuring complex
arrangements and a string ensemble.

CREDITS:
Kelter och götar was recorded, mixed and mastered by Marcelo Ismail Rodríguez and Sergio Ribnikov Gunnarsson during
October/November 2021 at Impar Estudios.
Cover Art by Abstract Chaos Design.
Photos by Raymundo Lagestra.
Booklet by Sergio Ribnikov Gunnarsson.

ATTRIBUTION:
01. Vindålder, vargålder (instrumental): Music by Vilsevind
02. Fri: Music and Lyrics by Vilsevind. It features traditional Swedish melodies: Myrslåtter (Olof Jönsson) and Rovlåten, efter
morfar (Knis Karl)
03. Dacw ’Nghariad: Welsh traditional, reimagined by Vilsevind
04. Varulv: Music and Lyrics by Vilsevind
05. Trallvaret: Music and Lyrics by Vilsevind
06. Ottar Handelsman: Music and Lyrics by Vilsevind
07. A Sailor’s Wife: Swedish traditional “En sjömansbrud skall blåklädd gå”, reimagined by Vilsevind
08. Näktergal: Scandinavian/West Germanic traditional, reimagined by Vilsevind. It features the melodies Isakpolskan (Pelle
Björnlert) and an 18th century polska (Sven Donat).
09. Carmina Oelandica: Music and Lyrics by Vilsevind
10. Endless Alvar: Music and Lyrics by Vilsevind
11. Kelter och götar: Music and Lyrics by Vilsevind. It includes the “Caillte A Chaoidh” main theme by Fred Morrison,
Swedish traditional melodies “Till Österland vill jag fara” (arranged by Lars Gustaf Hedin), “Ena tocka däka”, “Herr
Mannelig”, Gaelic melody “Tha mi sgìth” and a Breton An Dro.

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