This month we released “The Valkyrie”, an original Viking song about a Valkyrie who comes down from Valhalla to persuade a berserker to come with her, after she had fallen in love with him while watching the battles he fought from the clouds. The only way for him to do so would be for him to fall in battle and leave his life behind.
It is a very special song that has an interesting story, all of which has really happened.
The Story
The song was written in the darkness of a late night inside an iron-age farm, next to the embers of a once-mighty fire. These embers were charged with the laughter, stories, and music from the people who had warmed themselves by that fire from the moment that the sun had gone down.
As the Vikings left the warmth of the flames to sleep beneath their furs, I found myself alone as the embers started to fill me with an unprecedented inspiration. Playing a soft melodic tune that was fit to help my companions drift off to sleep rather than rouse them, I composed the melody that would later become this song.
Creative Processes
Once home, with the memories still fresh in my mind, I started writing the lyrics. I continued to play the song and adjust the lyrics like a carpenter would plane a plank. Once satisfied, I invited Hannah Huikeshoven to sing her parts as the voice of The Valkyrie and she did an amazing job.
Once Alexander Isembard recorded the bodhran, the song was almost done. I gathered a group of Viking friends beneath the same moon as the one that had shone during the song’s creation and we sang the last chorus together. You can hear those voices in this recording, mixed wonderfully by Ruben Isarin.
To finish it all up, I sat for two good days practicing throat singing to finally give this song the end it deserved; a strong and satisfying wave of emotion and strength in the outro, before it all goes quiet and softly fades out.
Reception thus far
I’ve received a lot of comments saying that this was the best song I’ve written to date. I always like my latest song best, but this time this sentiment was echoed by those around me. Someone joked around about a vinyl. This joke got enough support to make me seriously consider the option. That’s a wonderful outcome for such an amazing creative journey!
I would be happy to hear your thoughts about the song as well! If you decide to share your thoughts online, do tag me so I can read about them or reach out and contact me if you feel like sharing your experience with me personally. Which songs would you want me to put on the vinyl, for example?
Songs are experienced entirely differently from one person to the next. There is some kind of magic in there. I value such connections between the artist and the audience incredibly much, which is why I enjoy live gigs so much! So don’t be a stranger if you feel like reaching out 🙂
LYRICS
Will you come
And lay with me
In the darkness
There’ll be
No regrets
I’ve seen how you fight
Now, leave your axe
By the door
It is heartless
For while the
Axe forgets
The tree never might
Listen to the Gods
We’re already fated
Leave it to the Norns,
It’s for them to decide
Come into my arms
The hour grows late, dear
I will draw you out
Of the back of your mind
You have always
Fought and braved
Every battle
So you know there are
None who stay
Past their time
Since the start
You caught my
Eye with your mettle
You have earned
The right to
Lay by my side
Listen to the Gods
We’re already fated
Leave it to the Norns,
It’s for them to decide
Come into my arms
The hour grows late, dear
I will draw you out
Of the back of your mind
CREDITS
Lead Vocals – Bart Mesman
Guest Vocals – Hannah Huikeshoven
Backing Vocals – The Warrior Kingdom
Guitar – Bart Mesman
Bodhran – Alexander Isembard
Mix & Master – Ruben Isarin
Bart the Bard 