Krummi

Valravn's song "Krummi" is a hauntingly beautiful piece that delves into the life of a raven during a harsh winter night. The lyrics, sung in Icelandic, paint a vivid picture of the raven's struggle and resilience in the face of nature's unforgiving elements. The raven, or 'krummi,' is depicted as sleeping in a rocky crevice on a cold winter night, a metaphor for enduring hardship and finding refuge in the most unlikely places. This imagery sets the tone for the song, highlighting themes of survival and the stark beauty of the natural world.

As the song progresses, the raven awakens before dawn, its beak frozen, and emerges from beneath a large stone. This moment symbolizes the raven's perseverance and adaptability, traits that are essential for survival in the wild. The raven then sharpens its beak and takes flight from the mountain crevices, surveying the human settlements below. This act of flying and observing represents a connection between the wild and the human world, suggesting a sense of watchfulness and perhaps a search for sustenance.

The song also touches on the raven's opportunistic nature, as it spots a fat sheep lying dead in a garden. The raven calls out to its kin, signaling the availability of a feast on the cold ground. This scene underscores the raven's role as a scavenger, a creature that thrives by taking advantage of the opportunities presented by its environment. The repeated refrain of 'Hammm Hammm' and 'Krúnk krúnk' adds a rhythmic, almost ritualistic quality to the song, emphasizing the raven's primal instincts and the cyclical nature of life and death in the wild.

"Krummi" by Valravn is a powerful exploration of the raven's existence, blending elements of folklore, nature, and survival. The song's evocative lyrics and haunting melody create a vivid portrayal of the raven's world, inviting listeners to reflect on the resilience and adaptability required to navigate the challenges of life in the natural world.