The Norse people, known for their mastery of seafaring and exploration, also developed a unique system of fortification using runes. Runes were an ancient writing system used by the Norse and other Germanic tribes, which also had magical and mystical associations. The Norse fortification rune system involved carving specific runic symbols onto stones, posts, or other structures to protect and defend their settlements. One of the main purposes of the Norse fortification rune system was to deter intruders and enemies. By placing these runic symbols on the outskirts of their settlements or along the boundaries of their lands, the Norse believed that they would create a protective barrier that would repel any unwanted trespassers. These runic symbols were often associated with specific gods or mythical creatures, further enhancing their protective qualities.
Bruce Thomson’s tune was inspired by the sweet sounding cactus-stained fiddle made and played by “Fiddle Bill” in Albuquerque, NM. Claire penned the lyrics to tell the “true” story. When next in Albuquerque, look for Fiddle Bill in front of the Frontier Restaurant.
The Kansa was pressed from this part of the west Their likely no more to return, To the banks of the Blue River where seldom if ever Their flickering campfires burn. The swallows they fly from you to me, the sun, it shines here and there This year has given us time to breath and now is the time to share The fiddle, it plays so sweet and so low, guitar offers shade and rest The morning finds tunes that ebb and flow, joyful notes softly pressed.
These runic symbols were often associated with specific gods or mythical creatures, further enhancing their protective qualities. The Norse also believed that these runic symbols had the power to ward off negative energies and evil spirits. By inscribing these symbols onto their fortifications, they hoped to create a sacred space that would be impervious to any malevolent forces.
STEAM!
Here are lyrics to the songs on our three albums! Feel free to learn, share, adapt for your own needs. Most of all, we hope you enjoy.
From Hoodaki
Stars for Leisbeth
This tune by Glen McClure was brought to us by the Queen of Goop, Hope Greitzer. Claire’s lyrics conjure stepping into the magic of the whirling dance floor and leaving the busy world behind.
Softly she steps the glow starting low in her
Touch of your hand, smile on your face
Walls start to whirl as music takes over her
Lost in the arms of graceful embrace
Stars for Leisbeth, they dance in her eyes
Like fireflies warming after the winter
Stars for Leisbeth their lighting the skies
Dancing this moment away
In some other world reality’s waiting
But deep in your arms time stretches on
Love’s in the air and nothing is shading
It blooms from her eyes like flowers of song
Johnny
Claire’s poignant lyrics breathe new life into the traditional fiddle tune, Johnny, Johnny Don’t Get Drunk. Hearkening back to her Tennessee childhood, this is the bitter-sweet tale of Johnny, the king of the neighborhood kid gang.
Johnny don’t’ get drunk today, like you did just yesterday
Come with me to the mountain top, the sun and the wind will fix you up
I am just a girl next store, a little girl you can ignore
You’re the king of our whole street, your 16 and can’t be beat
Winds do blow
Through the trees and cross the snow
Feel the day just drift away
You can fly like an old blue jay
Johnny lives straight cross the road, he is strong and he is bold
Dealing cards and cracking jokes, he climbs high in the mighty oaks
Not sure what went wrong, when his stare went long
He got the look of a deer in the eye, a boy on the edge and not sure why
I think of Johnny when he’s young, racing bikes and having fun
He goes down to the creek to play, diggin up the crawdads every day
We climb up the fairy rocks, we’re sliding down our stairs in socks
Lazy days in the summertime, back when everything was fine
But grownup life can narrow down, when you’re from this Tennessee town
So many things to hold you back, keeping you by that railroad track
Johnny still lives in this town, he’s one street over and one block down
Think of him and hold this thought, hope you found your mountain top
Crested Hens
Claire penned this story of an adventurous crested hen, yearning for dance and romance.
You think I am a bird, for I am pecking always pecking, pecking, pecking
Yes, I’m a bird in the chicken coup outside your house
I’m not just a bird, for I am dreaming, always dreaming, dreaming, dreaming
Yes, it seems absurd, but I’m dreaming that I dance with you
For these chicken feet they long to dance and these feathers they are for flying / dancing
I am longing for a true romance, where a peck, peck, peck becomes a kiss
And I rise up from this dusty dirt, and I wake up by ten
My life is all about the flirt, for I am a crested hen
I’m tired of all these hens, for they are laying always laying, laying, laying
Don’t they have some friends, just to meet and go out on the town?
I have dug beneath the gate, and now I’m digging, always digging, digging, digging
Soon is my escape, to the dance to dance with you
What is this I see, yummy scraps and now I’m pecking, pecking, pecking
All of this for me? So delicious I can hardly think
Now is my chance, I cross the road and now I’m running, running, running
Off to the dance, where my chicken heart can now be free!
From Heartland
Heaven Right Here
Our dear friend and banjo phenom, Cathy Barton, wrote this lovely song. The words were inspired by her experiences at the Carp Camp jams where we spend our Septembers… at the Walnut Valley Festival (aka “Winfield”).
Some people think after we die we will go
To a dancing place high up above
But I see glimpses of heaven right here,
In laughter and music and love.
On a late autumn night, and jig and a reel,
hold a place in my heart that none else can fill,
Where tunes dance in my head, where they whisper goodnight,
And they rouse me to welcome daylight.
Some envision a mighty host high up above,
And angels with shimmering wings,
But I see a tent and a circle of friends,
Hear the favorite tune each one brings.
And the smile on each face, like a welcome embrace,
Come and join our circle and play.
And all cares disappear in the crisp Autumn air,
And we play till the dawning of day.
It’s the hammer on the string, It’s the mandolin ring,
It’s the magic feet tapping high above everything
Love’s in each waltz, love’s in each air,
And you know that that is heaven right here.
It’s the bow on the string and the songs that we sing,
It’s the tunes that we play that can make the grove rings
Love’s in each note, love’s all through the air
And that is heaven right here
Don’t you know that is heaven right here
Home on the Range
It was a scary thing to try to re-interpret this old song of the wild west: it has become hackneyed through over-use. But of the many, many versions and verses “out there”, several resonate with us. The verses we chose tell of a the beauty of the prairie, and the parts that have been lost forever… one where great herds of bison migrated freely, where the grass stretched to the horizon, and where European settlers felt small and vulnerable, yet sensed the inexorable changes afoot.
Oh, give me a land where the bright diamond sand
Flows leisurely down the stream
Where the graceful, white swan goes gliding along
Like a maid in a heavenly dream
Where the air is so pure and the zephyrs so free,
Breezes so balmy and light,
I would not exchange my home on the range
For all of the cities so bright
Home, home on the range
Where the deer and the antelope play
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word
And the skies are not cloudy all day
The Kansa was pressed from this part of the west
Their likely no more to return,
To the banks of the Blue River where seldom if ever
Their flickering campfires burn.
How often at night when the heavens are bright
From the lights from the glittering stars
Have i stood there amazed and thought as I gazed
Their glory exceeds that of ours.
Home, home on the range
Where the deer and the antelope play
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word
And the skies are not cloudy all day
From Jackalope
Peter Eat Your Heart Out
Bruce Thomson’s tune was inspired by the sweet sounding cactus-stained fiddle made and played by “Fiddle Bill” in Albuquerque, NM. Claire penned the lyrics to tell the “true” story. When next in Albuquerque, look for Fiddle Bill in front of the Frontier Restaurant.
Fiddle Bill lives on a hill in an old VW Van
He took a piece of wood and he carved as he could ‘cause he is a fiddling man
Peter he is trained you see and he makes them violins
But Bill made one and sun of a gun, if it didn’t just give me grins
Tunes ring, hearts sing. Hear that fiddle just shout!
It looks kind of gritty, but it sure sounds pretty. Peter eat your ole heart out
Fiddle Bill carved as he will puts his pocket knife to use
So he made a fiddle, and dyed it purple with the prickly pear cactus juice
Knots and divots cross the face and it sure do look a wreck
But with toothless smile, he played it for a while, and the shivers went down my neck
Last night, I had a dream, it happened right in the square
Bill and Peter were playing on their fiddles and the notes just filled the air
Bows were flyin’, faces smilin’, people all gathered round
And they all started dancing, singing and prancing, the soul of the city was found
Robert and Alice’s Waltz
Claire added these lyrics to the beautiful tune written by our friends, Hope & Jim, referencing the long-distance relationship that preceded Robert and Alice’s wedding in 2010.
The swallows they fly from you to me, the sun, it shines here and there
This year has given us time to breath and now is the time to share
The fiddle, it plays so sweet and so low, guitar offers shade and rest
The morning finds tunes that ebb and flow, joyful notes softly pressed
You’re flying to me… I can feel you so near
You’re flying to me…Can you feel us swirling closer every day
Oh come to my arms and dance with me, laugh in this evening’s soft light
The guitar and the fiddle make love, and we dance away to the night
©2023 STEAM! Web design by EHW Design.
Our dear friend and banjo phenom, Cathy Barton, wrote this lovely song. The words were inspired by her experiences at the Carp Camp jams where we spend our Septembers… at the Walnut Valley Festival (aka “Winfield”).
This belief in the power of runes extended beyond just physical protection, but also encompassed spiritual and metaphysical realms. Furthermore, the Norse fortification rune system was not only about defense but also about communication. These runic symbols could convey messages and warnings to both allies and enemies. The Norse possessed a keen understanding of the significance of these symbols and could decipher their meaning easily. This allowed them to send messages in secret or intimidate their adversaries by displaying certain powerful runes. The import of the Norse fortification rune system lies in its unique combination of practical defense and magical symbolism. It exemplifies the deep spiritual beliefs of the Norse people and their understanding of the interconnectedness between the physical and metaphysical realms. By incorporating runes into their fortifications, the Norse were able to create a sense of security and protection that extended beyond just the physical realm, providing them with both tangible and intangible advantages..
Reviews for "The Influence of Norse Fortification Runes on Contemporary Rune Practices"
1. John - 1/5 - I found "Norse fortification rune import" to be extremely disappointing. The storyline was confusing and lacked depth, and the characters were poorly developed. Additionally, the gameplay was repetitive and mundane, with little variety in the tasks and missions. Overall, I was left feeling bored and uninterested in the game. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for an engaging and enjoyable gaming experience.
2. Sarah - 2/5 - As a fan of Norse mythology, I was excited to try "Norse fortification rune import," but unfortunately, it did not meet my expectations. The graphics were underwhelming, and the controls were clunky and unresponsive. The game also had a lackluster combat system, making the battles feel monotonous and unchallenging. Additionally, the in-app purchase opportunities were excessive and seemed like a money-grab. Overall, I was left feeling disappointed and unsatisfied with the game.
3. Mark - 2/5 - I found "Norse fortification rune import" to be a forgettable and unremarkable gaming experience. The levels were uninspiring and lacked creativity, while the audio and visual elements were average at best. The game also seemed to have a lack of support and updates, resulting in bugs and glitches that interfered with gameplay. Overall, I was unimpressed and would not recommend this game to others.
4. Emily - 3/5 - "Norse fortification rune import" had potential but fell short in many aspects. The gameplay was repetitive, and the missions became tedious after a while. Additionally, the game lacked a cohesive and immersive storyline, making it difficult to stay engaged. While the graphics were decent, they were not enough to make up for the other shortcomings of the game. Overall, I was disappointed with the experience and would not consider playing it again.
5. Michael - 3/5 - "Norse fortification rune import" had some enjoyable elements, but overall, it failed to impress me. The game had a lack of depth and complexity, making it feel shallow and unengaging. The combat and gameplay mechanics were also lacking, resulting in a monotonous experience. While the concept of exploring Norse fortifications was intriguing, the execution fell short of my expectations. I would recommend looking for other games that offer a more immersive and fulfilling gaming experience.