Viking Inspiration? Led Zeppelin, of course!

Well, there's not going to be any conclusive proof, but I truly feel that Vikings would enjoy Led Zeppelin if they were ever able to hear it [Bill & Ted's next adventure?].  It has most of the things they like - violent tumultuous rhythms like a storm at sea or the concussive clash of spears and axes upon the shield wall, with plenty of yelling as well.  Also, Vikings like songs of battles and the stringed harp, so the more laid-back acoustic pieces would do them nicely as they while away the cold winters thinking about the summer to come.  

Zeppelin also has the only Viking rock'n roll song I know, "Immigrant Song"!  I've put together the most likely lyrics from the 'net and listening carefully to the song as well:

Immigrant Song lyrics
Ah, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun where the hot springs flow.

The hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new lands,
To fight the horde, sing and cry: Valhalla, I am coming!
On we sweep with threshing oar, 
     our only goal will be the western shore.
Ah, ah, etc...

How soft your fields - so green - whisper tales of gore,
Of how we calmed the tides of war. We are your overlords…
On we sweep with threshing oar, 
     our only goal will be the western shore.
Ah, ah, etc...
 

So now you'd better stop!  And rebuild all your ruins,
For peace and trust can win the day despite of all your losing.

"The Battle of Evermore" has plenty of dark age imagery as well as Tolkein references, and even "Over the Hills and Far Away" seems to catch the wandering spirit of the Viking.  I like to listen to some of the compilations as well as the original albums while I'm painting the little guys.

I'll put some more "serious" inspiration in future posts!