My partner Ron and I are finally working on a new CD. I'll tell you right now, it's going to take a while. For starters, we don't have a regular band. For another thing, unlike when we made our last CD in Nashville, I have a grown-up job now. We're writing the songs as we go, and recording them one at a time.

Not only that, but we're doing this recording at home, and it's just the two of us. I've recently come into some home recording gear and been pointed to some great editing software online. What does that all mean? Well, anything you hear, at this point, will be just Rev and Ron. I've found a pretty good drum machine program online, and I own a bass again. So I'll be playing guitar, programming the drums, and playing the bass, in addition to whatever singing I do. Ron will be singing and playing various keyboards.

This will undoubtedly sound very different from Sol Dog. Curtis and Mark are both extremely talented players, but because they are so skilled, they tend to be a very busy-sounding rhythm section. There are pros and cons to that. A major pro is that it leads to very exciting sounding rhyhm tracks. A con is that it can make singing or playing a lead difficult at times, as you're racing to keep up with their energy level. So what you'll get on the Rev and Ron project, using my limited bass skills and a drum machine, will be a bit more song-oriented and rely less on flashy rhythm tracks. We'd like to think we're going to give you a good sounding and enjoyable project, anyway. Check out Hail Day, the first song we've finished this way, by flipping through the site player until it comes up, and give us some feedback!

This is my new song, Hail Day, the first song that Ron and I have recorded for our new CD project. This was all done in his basement and the living room of my apartment, and all the instruments are played by the two of us. It’s the first thing I’ve ever written that uses a string track. It’s a little orchestral, like a Led Zeppelin or Pink Floyd thing, and it sort of feels like a “movie.” Kind of a departure from what Ron and I have done before.

The lyrics are based on a poem from the Poetic Edda, a collection of poetry dating back to the viking age. The poem the song is based on is called Sigrdrifumal. This poem contains the two stanzas that are tattooed on my left arm in Old Norse, which seem to constitute a really powerful and moving Heathen prayer. This poem, maybe just because of this prayer, is my favorite poem of the Poetic Edda.

Music for Vikings
The poem is part of a cycle of poems telling the tale of the Niflungs and of Sigurd the dragon-slayer. It takes place when Sigurd has just slain the dragon Fafnir. While cooking the dragon’s heart for Reginn, Sigurd burns his fingers and sticks them into his mouth. As soon as the dragon’s blood touches his tongue, Sigurd can understand the speech of birds. Three titmice are in a tree nearby, talking about how Reginn plans to betray and kill Sigurd and keep the Niflung hoard for himself. They say that Sigurd should kill Reginn and keep the hoard. They also say Sigurd should then go to the Hindar Fell, where behind a wall of flames, in a gilded hall, sleeps the wisest and fairest of Valkyries, who would make the best possible wife for Sigurd.

Sigurd takes that advice. He kills Reginn and takes the hoard and rides off. He comes to the wall of flames, and because he is the bravest of men, he is able to ride through. He sees a woman sleeping there, wrapped in skin-tight mail. Odin had put her to sleep for disobeying him. He said she would never again ride in battle, but be married; but she made the condition that she would never wed a man who knew fear, which was why the barrier of flames was put up. Sigurd cuts the mail off her. This allows the sleep-thorn with which Odin had pricked her to come out. She wakes, and at that moment she speaks her prayer (which starts out, "Hail, day!"). She sees Sigurd and they fall in love, and take each other then and there as mates. In a sex-magical ritual she initiates him into magical lore. She teaches him rune wisdom and speaks of his future, grim and short though it is, and tells of the “fateful feuds” that have arisen around him, and that his life will not be long—a warning that others have already given him.

I guess I’ve focused on the “romantic” aspect of this part of the tale. It strikes me that the majesty of the story comes from the idea that each of these people recognizes in the other someone with as much spirit, passion, and courage as themselves. Two great hearts have met, and though fate won’t be kind, they refuse to accept less than they each deserve—less than each other.

This is the origin of the modern fairy tale “Sleeping Beauty.” And yes, it was more than just a kiss that “Prince Charming” woke his lady with in this tale of the best of heroes. I hope that normal folk like us can learn from this tale.

Please give the song a listen by forwarding through the site-wide player, and drop me some feedback. I would consider making it downloadable, but most likely not for free. This is the first song that has been completed for our new CD, after all.

Lyrics (by Rev):

Verse I
How did I know I'd find you sleeping here?
Three little birds said it in my ear.
They said: "No wiser woman ever wore a shield,
Just like no finer fighter ever walked a field."

Verse II:
Were you concerned no man could come to claim you?
Who'd brave the burning flames to break and tame you?
With sleeping thorn and wound in war-maid's gear,
You'd wait on woman whose heart held no fear.

Bridges:
So woman, teach me. Show me nine worlds.
And love me if you can.
And woman tell me mysteries of wyrd,
And stand and take my hand.

Chorus:
And you said, "Hail, Day.
Hail the Day's son.
Hail the Night and all the gods,
The earth that gives to everyone."
And you said, "Hail, Day.
Hail the Day's son."
And you said, "Hail, high-hearted hero,"
And you stand with me as one.

Verse III:
From dragon victory, daring darting flames,
I came seeking Valkyrie who should share my fame.
All blazing blue your bright eyes as you woke,
And wise your words of blessing when you spoke.

Verse IV:
Now warlike bride of atheling wound in wyrd,
You sing me spells and say my doom draws near.
We'll face our future fettered heart to heart.
We face our fate whom death could never part.