Raise your swords up high
See the blackbirds fly
Let them hear your rage
Show no fear
Attack!
Charge your horses across the fields
Together we ride into destiny
Have no fear of death when it's your time
Oden will bring us home when we die
The ground trembles under us
As we make our thunder charge
The pounding hooves strike blinding fear
Into their hearts
Our helmets shine in the sun
As we near their wall of shields
Some of them turn and run
When they hear our frenzied screams
Draw your swords to strike
Hear the blackbirds cry
Let them feel your hate
Show no fear!
Attack! Attack! Attack! Attack!
Charge your horses across the fields
Together we ride into destiny
Have no fear of death when it's your time
Oden will bring us home when we die
The enemies are in disarray
Ride them down as they run
Send them to their violent graves
Don't spare anyone
Dead and wounded lie all around
See the pain in their eyes
Over the field an eerie sound
As we hear the ravens' cry
- Amon Amarth (2006)
To celebrate my next assignment, I thought I would post some material from the band I will be interviewing on the 18th of April. Amon Amarth ('mountain of fate' - one of the alternate names for Mount Doom in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy) hails from Sweden and puts out Viking-themed death metal. I remember hanging outside the back of the venue during the Sounds of the Underground tour stop in 2007 in Houston and seeing Johann Hegg, the singer, step off his tour bus - the man only needed a horned helmet and broad sword and he would have been a viking.
The song itself is part rallying war-cry, part battle hymn, and part ballad. With the warrior culture that was Viking society, I wouldn't have been surprised to hear this was taken from a Viking manuscript. Indeed, I am reminded of Beowulf (the epic poem, not that horrible movie from last year) whenever I read the lyrics of this song. The pounding rhythm of the song gives the feel of a battle from beginning to end... the build-up, the high and low pitches, and then the sudden finish. It's over almost as soon as it's begun.
There is no real deep meaning to the song other than the symbolism of the blackbird. For those who may wonder, blackbirds carry a dual symbolism. For some they symbolize good omens. On the other hand, they are also considered harbingers of doom as the term blackbird is often applied to ravens and crows. Here we don't have to wonder about the symbol of death, but we are left to wonder as to which side is receiving which omen. It's only at the end that we find out that the birds were ravens, which alludes to the enemy receiving the omen of doom.
Those who have served in the military (especially in the last 20 years) can probably attest to the literal meaning of the lyrics. While I never personally served in direct battle, I was in Korea just after the first nuclear crisis in 1994 and when the US Army helicopter was shot down over the wrong side of the DMZ on Christmas morning. We also didn't know very much about Kim Jong-Il, given that he had not at that point consolidated his hold on power in North Korea. And before I forget, 3 NK commandos snuck over the DMZ during my time in 1995. The last one was finally cornered and killed only 30 miles from my base.
During an invasion we were expected to take the brunt of an amphibious assault on the west coast of the peninsula. There were times while I was on duty at night and I felt a great fear that at any moment there may be an assault by North Korean Commandos. While it may not compare to actual bullets flying for some, sometimes the anticipation of battle that never comes can be more damaging to the psyche than the actual battle.
As for the rest of it, we each take what we can from the song. Aside from the literal, I personally can get a sense of strength from the song as I go into unknown situations every day. To others it may be good to get pumped for a big game while others may find it a cool tune for jamming. Take what you will from it, as long as you can take something.
This is the first step into death metal for my counterpart. I'm wondering how painful she will find this song, even though I chose something that is relatively very mild. I will be waiting patiently to read her thoughts on this song. Next time I will post the song I had originally intended, which I'm sure will be waaaaaaaaaaaay off anyone's radar.
Putting the iPod back on shuffle.
Well let me say I expected worse, I know my other half is dying to convert me....
ReplyDeleteWhile this is certainly not what I would listen to on a daily basis it could have been worse. Let's just skip the musical interpretation as I am not sure it even is music. If we translate the meaning of the song I would have to say my other half has nailed it. You can definately feel the battle in the song. It sounds as though an anthem, a song of sorrow for sure but a battle hymn none the less. I can close my eyes and picture the fields of men, the fighting, the dead. I am reminded of the scene in Braveheart on the field. There isn't much to say that hasn't been said. If I had to take one thing from the song into my own life it would be fight the fight, fight strong, and always hold your head high.