The song Gygralock - by Otyg

[Nordabrand]

Now, that song is unquestionably great, but...there is one phrase I do not understand - now I have studied a lot of old swedish words and expressions because of the intruiging feeling they emit.

The phrase I am thinking of his: "Nu hjälpen blott vändelrot och tidebast", I've never understood it, please explain...


Nordabrand

 

[spaffe]

well people in the past thought that those two herbs or plants or whatever they are could protect you from trolls and from beeing bergtagen, and that's what it's about since the song is called gygralock (gygra beeing a female troll)

 

[Vintersorg]

Now, that song is unquestionably great, but...there is one phrase I do not understand - now I have studied a lot of old swedish words and expressions because of the intruiging feeling they emit.

The phrase I am thinking of his: "Nu hjälpen blott vändelrot och tidebastI've never understood it, please explain...


Nordabrand

"Nu hjälpen blott vändelrot och tidebast".....it's said that the last protecion you have against the majesty of trolls are the two herbs vändelrot och tidebast, vändelrot is now adays refered to as vänderot I guess. You wear them on you, around your neck or some other place.

mr V

 

[Mantis]

vändelrot translates in english as valerian root; tidebast as february daphne, I found it on an american university site where they analyzed nordic folklore

Mantis