Gutasagan: Tjelvars legacy
Meaning and lyrics
The true myth behind the song "Gutasagan: Tjelvars Legacy"
The Guta Saga is one of the oldest recorded legends of the Nordic world. It was written down in the 13th century, though the myth itself is likely far older.
The saga tells of Gotland, the island in the middle of the Baltic Sea, as an enchanted land that rose from the water at night and sank beneath the waves by day. This continued until a man named Tjelvar arrived with his wife Hvitstjärna. He brought fire to the island, and from that moment on, Gotland never sank again.
Tjelvar and Hvitstjärna settled on the island, and their son Hafþi had three sons who, according to the saga, divided Gotland among themselves. The Guta Saga tells that all Gutnish people trace their origins back to these three ancestral lines.
In our song, we wanted to breathe life into this ancient tale. The music seeks to capture the mystery and the feeling of an island slowly rising from the sea as fire is kindled for the very first time.
Lyrics
[Spoken intro]
The Guta saga tells of an island in the middle of the Baltic Sea, which rises during ing the night and sinks into the sea at day, it is an enchanted island, but the curse is about to be broken.
[Verse]
We sailed beneath the silver moon
To find the land that myths consume
It rises in the darkened gloom
And vanishes at light of noon
[Verse 2]
Through storms and seas our courage true
An island's cliffs came into view
A barren land, yet something drew
We stepped ashore as dawn broke through
[Chorus]
We light the torch on ancient ground
The fire's blaze unbinds the bound
The island's curse no longer found
In Gotland's name our joys resound
[Verse 3]
With every wave the spell did sway
But now this land will always stay
No rising sun nor break of day
Can steal our home or make us stray
[Vers 4]
I Tjelvar stand with love so bright
Vitstjerne's hand in dawning light
Together we'll through day and night
In Gotland's heart our future's sight
[Chorus]
We light the torch on ancient ground
The fire's blaze unbinds the bound
The island's curse no longer found
In Gotland's name our joys resound
[Bridge]
Three children blessed with spirit free
Will grow and learn beside the sea
Their tales as grand as prophecy
The next in line our legacy
[Vers 5]
His legacy the island bore
Three brothers claimed its sea-bound shore
Their lines still live in kin and name
We carry on their ancient flame
[Chorus]
We light the torch on ancient ground
The fire's blaze unbinds the bound
The island's curse no longer found
In Gotland's name our joys resound
[Spoken outro]
Tjelvars legacy will always live on. Gotland is our home and will be for generations to come