First Reaction to Songleikr | Ulvetime (Hour of the Wolf)

Thank you so much for watching this reaction and letting me share my thoughts! I can't stop singing this one around the house. XD Thank you for the recommendation!

Original video and credit to:
Songleikr | Ulvetime (Hour of the Wolf)

Socials:

#music #reaction #heilung #hourofthewolf

[Accolonian]

The song is about being awake in the middle of the night, not being able to sleep because your mind is thinking about everything past, present and future.
This is two of the three center people of Heilung doing one of their side projects. They are married, by the way. Another side project is Euzen, which you should also absolutely listen to.
I actually was to a Heilung concert a few weeks ago, watching these two live. With opening by Eivør no less.
As for Aurora. Well, Heilung is touring with Eivør right now; Eivør has performed with Wardruna and so have Aurora. So there is your connection.

[martingerlach]

I am a Dane... And listening to this number, have me covered in goosebumps, and tears running down my face...
It hits some part of my primal Danish Viking soul.

[KurtFrederiksen]

The song is in Norwegian Bokmål. I have tried to make a English translation, but the sentiment of the lyrics doesn't really translate. It might be my inability to do it justice.

Jeg kan
Ikke sove
(I cannot sleep)
Jeg kan kun
I natten våke
(I can only stay vigilian in the night)
Over mine år
(Over my years)

Mine år blir
Langsomt mine
(My year slowly become mine)
I min ulvetime
Fanget av tid
(In my wolf hour, caught by time) *1

Vil den vise meg
mine år, min vei
(will it show me my year, my way)
Er den kjærlig
Eller ei
(Is it Loving or not)

Jeg kan
ikke hvile
(I cannot rest)
I min ulvetime
Kval er alt
(In my wolf hour qual is everything)

Rolig
Kjære hjerte
(Quiet dear heart)
Du bør
snart ha lært det
(You should have learned that)
Nådeløst
(nådesløst)

Vil du vise meg
mine år, min vei
(Will you sho me my years, my way)
Er du kjærlig
Eller ei
(Ar you loving or not)

Jeg kan ikke sove
(I cannot sleep)
Jeg kan kun
I natten våke
(I can only stay vigilian in the night)
Over ulvens tid
(in the time of the wolf) or (in the hour of the wolf) *1

*1 Ulvetime (the hour of the wolf/wolf hour) is from Scandinavian or Nordic folklore, where the "hour of the wolf" refers to the period from 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. The lore is that most deaths and births occur in this time before dawn. This is supposed to be a magical time where the veil between worlds are thinnest. Modern day use have changed the meaning to the time in the afternoon when children are most fussy and you need to get things done before dinner. The lyrics are about the old folklore meaning of the phrase/word.

The most literal meaning of the text is about not being able to sleep because of dread/anticipation/worry about the future. Getting to the early mornings hour of the wolf not knowing if the future will be kind and loving toward you or not. Feeling the need to stay vigilant for what the dawn/future might bring.

It's a play on Scandinavian/Nordic archetypes about the night just before dawn and the cultural fear of the wolf as a night hunter. About being the first humans up just before dawn and possibly meeting this predator in the darkness before dawn before the human eye can really see them. There's a lot of symbolism drawn from folklore like nightmares (The evil spirit), precognition of the future and other worlds/realms to be found just before dawn. Scandinavian/Nordic folklore have a lot of bad spirits and creatures governing the hours before dawn and an equal amount of stories about people being lead astray by them at dawn.

[petterhansson]

As a Swede, the Norwegian is easy to understand, and this is really a wonderfully repetitive and meditatory song about being awake during the night (in the hour when the wolf is hunting; ulvetimen (in Norwegian), vargtimmen (Swedish), in the hour of the wolf (English)) thinking about life and even of lost love. It has medieval vibes and the music is similar to many Scandinavian groups that try to recreate the ancient music that could be believed to have been played by the vikings (see the ornamentals on her instrument which are very similar to what you can find on runestones from the viking time (10th and 11th century B.C.)).

Songleikr (ancient Norse?) is similar to Sånglekar (Swedish) or 'Playing with songs' or even 'Playing with music' In English.

[mikeyb]

The instrument is a Jouhikko (From Finland I believe)

[Gwyneth-mf]

Yes, this is Maria Franz of Heilung, playing a Tagelharpa variant. She often performs with other ancient folk musical artists. I agree this music is mystical and beautiful, sung in proto-Norse, Germanic or Celtic dialects. Thanks for reacting !

[MrOluf]

Another greeting from Denmark. The couple come from Norway and it was recorded in Chopenhagen in 2022.

[txh]

i also think that a collab with aurora and maria or heilung would be awesome. thanks for your reaction.

[seanoreilly]

There are frequences in music that deeply touch humans on an emotional level. It can open portals to higher states, bring tears; bring joy and uplift consciousness.

[kimkruse]

Darn I am late. Well so happy You found this one song that I use when It all get to much!. It help Me get back again.

[Yuritau]

The best commentary I've seen offered on Heilung and Songleikr was: Heilung is big awoo, Songleikr is little awoo.

[Outside]

Well, 'Guy' is Chris and he is married to Maria, they were with Ingrid Falch (not appearing) the original Songleikr... switch Ingrid for Kai Uwe Faust (years later) and you get Heilung (or its original core).

[juliafernandes]

Both Maria and Chris are in Heilung, they are a couple and Songleikr is another project they have with another singer that isn't in this video.

[CrakkedTunez]

Chris and Maria are actually part of 3 bands: Heilung, Songleikr, and Euzen

[baatzu]

That note you like, I think she is sliding down into it which causes the sound to become discordant before it resolves. Might be why it sound wrong and then right. And you are right about her and Aurora. Though I would use the word ethereal to describe the sound they share. (though Aurora can be pretty whimsical).

[astral]

Maria Franz is an avatar, a godess from the old norse world.... incarnated

[Tomsdatter]

Some people has fangs. My sister had so long fangs that some of the teeth had to be cut off by the dentist. 😂

[Dritkant]

Hi Heidi 😊 I believe she sings in Norwegian Bokmål, but maybe some of our Norwegian friends can enlighten us. Also... I would give your pronunciation a 0.2 / 5 and since it's April Fools day, I'll let you decide if it's higher 😂

[morenodk]

Well atleast the youtube algorithm isnt totally broke, it showed me this shortly after upload and never seen your vids before.

Its norwegian,

[joecoppola]

Interesting but nice look very beautiful as always Heidi ❤