Helvegen

Wardruna's 'Helvegen' is a song that delves deep into Norse mythology and the concept of death and legacy. The title itself, 'Helvegen', translates to 'the road to Hel', which in Norse mythology is the path to the underworld, overseen by the goddess Hel. The lyrics ponder on who will sing for the individual after they have passed away, a reflection on one's memory and the continuation of their spirit through song and story.

The song's lyrics are steeped in the imagery of Viking beliefs and practices surrounding death. The mention of 'Valfaders pant' refers to the sacrifice or offering to Odin, the Allfather of the Norse gods, suggesting a connection to the spiritual and the divine. The song contemplates the inevitable journey everyone must take on Helvegen, and the cold footsteps symbolize the loneliness and finality of death. Yet, there is a sense of acceptance and a quest for a legacy that will outlive physical existence, as indicated by the lines that speak of deeds and reputation that never die ('En orðstírr / Deyr aldregi').

The latter part of the song offers a sense of comfort and release, with the promise that the singer will follow and guide the deceased across the Gjallarbrú, the bridge that leads to the afterlife. This guidance is a freeing act, releasing the individual from the bonds of life. The repeated phrases 'Deyr fé / Deyja frændr / Deyr sjalfr it sama' (Cattle die, kinsmen die, you yourself die) emphasize the natural cycle of life and death, but the song ultimately concludes with the idea that the judgment or memory of a dead person ('Dómr um dauðan hvern') never dies, thus underscoring the importance of how one is remembered.