Ofärd - Völvans Spådom

[At the roots of the nine known worlds, where the shadow of the Tree becomes one with the Abyss, Grimnir stands ready. The
roar of the underground rivers is defeaning but the Masked One cares not. Never before did he speak in vain and nor shall
he now. For his is the knowledge of the words of power and it is in him to know how mightily, how high they should be sung.
She sleeps in the mist, in the eternal veil of those whom the earthly element had claimed. She is gone and yet there she lies.

The truth is Grimnir needs her, as the crows needs the carrion, as a woman needs a man's seed, so does the Hanged One need
his sejdkona. Thus he sings for her. And when the echo of his galdr dies out, the burial mounds are all light and carcass and
spirit become one. She is here, she is now with us. Thus, she opens her dead eyes and begins her own song of vision and
delusion.]

[Óðinn:]
Völva! Rístu upp gamla, vitra kona.
Opnaðu dauð, hvít augun.
Horfðu í hyldýpið.
Til ókomna daga.
Völva!
Hvað sérðu? Hvernig endar þetta?

[Völva:]
Garm nu gräsligt skäller
framför Gnipahålan;
fjättern skall brista,
och fri blir ulven.
Då skälver Yggdrasil,
urträdet jämrar sig.

Bröder banemän bliva,
systrars barn
sitt släktskap spilla;
vindålder, vargålder,
hårt är i världen,
yxtid, klingtid,
innan världen störtas;
Naglfar lossnar.

Solen svartnar,
jord sänkes i hav,
flammande stjärnor från fästet falla
upp ångar imma, och elden lågar.
Dunklets drake flygande nalkas,
nedifrån Nidafjäll.
Människors kroppar,
på vingarna bär.

Men gammal är hon, trött är hon,
nu skall hon åter sjunka.

[Music by Morten Gråfäll. Arranged by Mårten Gråfãll and Segersäll.
Words in Old Icelandic by Segersæll. The Swedish text is loosely based on Erik Brate's rendition of Völuspá.
Segersäll – Vocals, Irish bouzouki, jaw's harp, shawm, hulusi, månmarkapipa, hurdy gurdy
Morten Gråfãll – Nyckelharpa and programming
Guests:
Matias Taubas Oyola: Bass & Pablo Taubas Oyola: Drums & Johanna Ribnikov Gunnarsson: backing vocals.]



Segersäll: Vocals, guitars, Irish bouzouki, jaw's harp, hurdy-gurdy, månmarkapipa, shawm, hulusi, tin whistle and duduk.
Morten Gråfäll: Nyckelharpa, säckpipa and programming.

Guest artists:
Matias Taubas Oyola: Bass.
Pablo Taubas Oyola: Drums.
Pablo Monteys: Soprano and Alto sax.
Johanna Ribnikov Gunnarsson: Backing vocals and Völva interpretation.

Recorded during May&June 2012 at Gråborg Studios and La Nave de Oseberg Studios.
Sound producer: Rodrigo Gudiña
Recording engineers: Jorge Perini and Rodrigo Gudiña
Mix and mastering: Sebastián Manta
Loops used in Völvans Spådom by Jens Engelbrecht and Peo Drangert ('Scandinavian Roots Vol. 1”)

The cover illustrates a Völva (an alleged seer and practitioner of sejd) holding a staff that resembles the Viking Age artifact (SHM inventory no. 25840) found in Klinta, Öland, in 1957. The raised stones and surrounding nature capture the essence of the typical cultural landscape seen in Southern Öland. The original painting was made by contemporary artist Martin Enrique Pelozo especially for this single.

Layout and complementary artwork by Segersäll and Morten Gråfäll.

In case you wondered, Ofärd do not believe in politics, fundamentalism, religious or racial intolerance, or any other kind of narrow-minded behaviour. They believe in Nature, Music and the strong bonds that unite lovers, family and brethren.