"Spring is Here!" (Meginn drápa riki - drapa for King Maynard)

"Sprrrring is here ..... Sprrrring is here. Life is skittles and life is beer! I think the loveliest time of the year is the spring. I do, don't you? 'course you do. But there's one thing that makes spring complete for me, And makes ev'ry sunday a treat for me." - Tom Lehrer

"Berið ér aptr, es várar, fleyvangs til Orkneyja, [Carry back, when it is spring, across the ship-plain to the Orkneys,]" - Sigmundr Ǫngull

In Spring, a young man's fancy turns toward ... sword-play! Raiding! Battle! Blood! Gore! What more could a true warrior ask for?

This poem, Meginn drápa riki, is about just that. For as the sun rises higher in the sky, the fjords thaw and the warships can head across the plains of puffins to find new treasure.

The poem is in dróttkvætt and is loaded with kennings. It is written for Maynard and Liadain, who will become King and Queen of Aethelmearc in April. Maynard's name means "Strength" in German, and Meginn is both an Old Icelandic adjective with the same meaning and a 14th century Norwegian name.

Recordings will happen, in a bit.

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Meginn drápa riki (Drápa for King Maynard)

Old Norse Verses

Poetic Translation

Stef: Veðr vill blásask Viðurs er várvíkingar fara. Er sólarvagn sigla skúrir Gauts vill fljúgask. Eptir Skaði aprast askar hafði blásit ok grundar sofa gengit innan grip hennar svipinn, þá fjǫrðuísa Njarðar fríðka munnar gliðna atatata ítar ok ístannar þeirra gnísta. Boðit, máttkar mœðir málmrunna aldrunur, vápna gnýlinns viðir viggjálfar greiða seglhund. Fyr ræða jarl ok riki með ruglandinn huldu - með Vikingum á vári veðri Hôars koma. (Stef) þrekramr heyrðuð þarlands þengill orðum benrǫgns - konung boðaði kinngrár kattar lundar atgeirs: Nú seglbúinn austansjór skildir brands skeiðar - Ǫðlings rikis afmá andmáligir brandar. Hersa dróttinn heyrðuð hugstrangr dreka fluginn: engis lúru lundar landgramr leiddi randa. "Foldir sumars fámask fagrastr hrifsa, lifra!" kambi kallaði gullin konung miðjulondum. (Stef) Virðar óþyrmir varga vestan á borðhestum fljúgusk á feginum með fleinþollar erlendis. At skǫmmu, Stœrir gumr sótr súða rotaðir - kafþjórs brenna kefir kattar dróttin máttigr. Brima, þjóðar bragning, bǫrð renndusk at jǫrðu ok á gustum hljópu geirs gífrs hestar hlessa. Þá fló drekinn dǫkkhárr at drifum Hóars rifsinn - med angr ýs ok undreyr, auðvin, songst dauð þeirra. (Stef) Merkum snuask at myrkum, mattigr yngva áttkonr ok gjofvinr leiddir vendværr vaskast hersa fastligar. Drotinn austum jofra oddum merjiðr berat ok kisar hel valkasti, konungr, hafði brunnit. Dróttning brímr dómsorð drekifólkum draga. hveiti hræteina hjálms víðir hafði bítat Hrafnsvini flaut í rennr heiti sár af hveitum. Aðalbórinn eyðir yfir svikfolk vinna. (Stef) Siðan hugaðr sigÞróttr --- sármenn á dǫgum fornum linntanna þryngoss ellandr --- leiddar lundar gunnborðs. Siðan at þer stedfast --- sigrhorna at hlífðrum uppdalum blásisk austkendr --- augum renna meyja Hegni jarla hyggiligr hjalm-Njǫrðungum kallir. Almdrósar drótinn orkar árum hagla bogna. Konungr svarum kringjir krossklædd Ýtar ôsu. hafs þík svarum hyrþǫll hundmargr þekkjandar þunnblás. (Stef)

Refrain: Odin's wind will blow when spring-vikings roam. When the sun's wain sails, The rains of Gaut will fly. After Skaði harshest the ash trees has blasted and sleeping are the green fields in her sweeping grip, then Njorð's handsome mouth, fjords of ice are breaking - chattering and gnashing glorious ice teeth rumble You ordered, mighty troubler of battle-runners thundering, din-snakes trees to armor and steed-elves fast to sail hounds. (for) jarl and king are plotting with secrecy confounding, (and) Hóar's mighty storms come with Vikings in the Spring. (Refrain) In far-off land you heard kings' words of bloody-rain how king of cats commanded grey-cheeked trees of halberds: in eastern seas are sail-bound war-prows' shield-providers - now come contentious fire brands to savage noble marklands. You heard, our Warrior ruler flying dragons strong-willed: the prince of the meadow's halibut led the trees of the rims. "Fields of summer fairest let us pillage, brothers!" cried the gold-hatted - the King of the middle lands. (Refrain) Plank-horse riding western men, outlaw-crusher, joined you - joined in battle joyful to stop the spear-firs foreign. Soon, soot-horses of the plank you stunned, strengthener of men the sea-ox of the deep you burned and harmed the cat jarl mighty. Then ran aground the planks of surf, prince of men most valiant, and stunned the troll's horses leaping, did the Aethling's spear-gust Then flew the plundering dragon - into Hóars snow-storm deadly treasure-friend, you sang their death with wound-reeds and yew´s sorrow. (Refrain) You faced the darkened Eastern banners mighty heir of kings. And lead most valiant war-men sturdy, bounty's-friend hard-pleased. Lord of princes, brought you crushing to mighty Eastern armies and you, our mighty king, have burned the corpse-pile of the kittens. King fiery dooms-word to dragon-army brought wheat of carrion-twigs helm-trees have bitten. Ravens wine flowed from running hot wounds from axes. Noble-born destroyer over evil vanquished. (Refrain) Again, o bold victory-Þróttr --- as snake-fanged wound-men as of old surround us --- you lead the trees of battle-boards. Again, o stedfast victory maid--- with eastern victory-horns in hidden up-dales blasting --- our yearning eyes beseech you. Jarl-punisher wisest calls forth the helms of Norðir - Queen of the bow-maid summons messengers of the hailstones of the bow. Cross-clad King, we, the cunning gods of shields, answer. Fir of the sea-fire, we, the many knowers of the linen-cord answer. (Refrain)

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Notes

There are three recurring images that may need explanation: first, the Kingdom of the East (Northeastern US & Eastern Canada) uses a blue tyger as its totem; this explains the references to King of Cats, etc. Second, the Middle Kingdom (Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky) has the dragon as its totem; thus the dragon references. Finally, although it only makes a cameo appearance, the Kingdom of Ealdormere (Ontario) is the home of the wolves; that's where that reference comes from.

A final note: yes, I know that kisar valkasti is pretty danged gruesome. All I can say is that "War isn't for the Squeamish."

Kennings Used

Stef:

Veðr Viðurs > Odin's weather > BATTLE/WAR
várvíkingar > Vikings of Spring > RAIDERS
sólarvagn > Sun's wain > SUN
skúrir Gauts > showers of Gautr > ARROWS

VERSE 1:

Skaði > goddess of Winter > WINTER
munnar Njarðar > Njorð's mouth > ICE
ístannar > ice teeth > ICE FLOES

VERSE 2:

máttkar mœðir málmrunna aldrunur > mighty troubler of battle-runners > troubler of warriors > KING
gnýlinns viðir > din-snakes trees > sword trees > WARRIORS
viggjálfar > war-elves > SAILORS
seglhund > sail-hound > SHIP
veðri Hôars > Hoar´s storms > WAR

VERSE 3:

orðum benrǫgns > words of bloody rains > OMENS
konung kattar > King of Cats > EASTERN KING
lundar atgeirs > trees of halberds > WARRIORS
brands > SWORDS
skildir skeiðar > shield providers > WARRIORS
Ǫðlings rikis > Aethling´s realm > noble realm > ÆTHELMEARC
andmáligir brandar > contentious brands > WARRIORS

VERSE 4:

Hersa hugstrangr > warrior ruler > KING MAYNARD
drótinn dreka > King of the dragon > MIDDLE KING>
engis lúru landgramr > land-ruler of the meadow-fish > King of the snake > MIDREALM KING
lunar randa > trees of rims > trees of shields > WARRIORS
kambi gullin > gold-hatted > KING

VERSE 5:

Virðar vestan > men of the west (who ride plank-horses) > SAILORS/WARRIORS
borðhestum > plank-horses > SHIPS
fleinþollar > spear-firs > WARRIORS
sótr súða > soot-horses > WOLVES
Stœrir gumr > strengthener of men > KING
kafþors kefir > sea-ox of the deep > SHIPS
kattar drótinn > King of cats > EASTERN KING

VERSE 6:

þjóðar bragning > prince of men > KING
bǫrð brim > planks of the surf > SHIPS
gustum geirs > wind of spears > BATTLE/ATTACK
gífrs hestar > troll's horses > WOLVES
drekinn dǫkkhárr > dark-haired dragon > KING OF THE MIDDLE
drifum Hóars > Hóar's storm > Odin's storm > WAR
angr ýs > Yew's sorrow > FIRE
undreyr > wound-reeds > ARROWS
auðvin > treasure-friend > KING

VERSE 7:

yngva áttkonr > heir of kings > KING MAYNARD
gjofvinr > bounty-friend > KING MAYNARD
hersa > war-men > WARRIORS
drótinn jofar > lord of princes > KING MAYNARD
kisar valkasti > corpsepile of kittens > DEAD EASTERN WARRIORS

VERSE 8:

drekifólkum > dragon-army > MIDDLE WARRIORS
hveiti hræteina > wheat of carrion-twigs > SPEARS
hjálms víðir > helmet-trees > WARRIORS
Hrafnsvini > wine of ravens > BLOOD
Aðalbórinn eyðir > noble-born destroyer > KING MAYNARD

VERSE 9:

sigÞróttr > victory-Þróttr >victory-Odin > KING MAYNARD
linntanna sármenn > snake-fanged wound-men > MIDREALM WARRIORS
lundar gunnborðs > trees of battle-boards > WARRIORS
sigrhorna > victory-horns > WAR CRIES
renna meyja > victory-maiden > QUEEN LAIDAIN

VERSE 10:

Hegni jarla > conqueror of jarls > KING MAYNARD
hjalm-Njǫrðungum > helms ofNjǫrð > WARRIORS
Almdrósar drótinn > Ruler of elm-maids > ruler of valkyries > QUEEN LIADAIN
hagla bogna > hail of bows > FLIGHT OF ARROWS
konungr krossklædd > cross-clad king > KING MAYNARD (after his coat of arms)
Ýtar ôsu > gods of spears > WARRIORS
hafs hyrþǫll - fir of sea-fire > fir of gold > QUEEN LIADAIN
þekkjandar þunnblás knowers of the linen-cord > ARCHERS

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Songs for Wolves!

Hi, there. I'm sort of between verses (got two or three more to go on the latest poem, then polishing and revision). So, here are a couple of SCA-related songs I've written. As a brief explanation, I live in the Barony of Thescorre, which is located in the Rochester, NY, area ("Thescorre" being an anagram of "Rochester"). The Kingdom (or regional group) we belong to is the Kingdom of Aethelmearc. The Kingdom to the North of us is Ealdormere (the Province of Ontario). We often jibe good-naturedly about the Great Lakes as the Inland Seas, and dispute over who owns them. And, we are presently engaged in The Great Aethelmearc-Ealdormere Cross-Border Bardic Tiff and Colour War which began here.

These two songs, in English (as Old Norse can be as hard as Korean), feature the Baron of Thescorre (which has three ravens on its arms) repelling an invasion of the Grey Wolves of Ealdormere. It seems that such mockery has caused some folks to go a bit nuclear, and to threaten us with their verbal missiles.

I hope that you'll enjoy the results of our bardic conclave.

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Wolves Song # 1 (The Foxes Song)

Wolves Song # 2 (The Grey Wolves Song1)

The wolves came down to sing one night They gathered in a circle in the pale moonlight The other creatures fled in fright As the wolves put up their howl, oh foul-o, growl-o The other creatures fled in fright as the wolves put up their howl-o They bayed at the man who sat in the moon While the dog ducked out with a cow and spoon Then they boarded a boat on the lake with the loons1 and they crossed the Inland Seas-o freeze-o, please-o they boarded a boat on the lake with the loons and they crossed the Inland Seas-o The wolves struck sails and manned the oars Til they beached their boat on a rocky shore For they had come to High Thescorre Where the ravens rule the roost-o Loose-o, goose-o For they had come to High Thescorre Where the ravens rule the roost-o The Grey Wolves formed up nice and neat All spiffed out from their ears to their feet For they had come to steal some meat And they were counting ku-o2 one-o, two-o For they had come to steal some meat And they were counting ku-o The Raven chief was Bobby Dubh3 The wolves all called him the Raven Boob But the Ravens knew he was nobody's noob When his armor he strapped on-o br> on-o, Don-Ho But the Ravens knew he was nobody's noob When his armor he strapped on-o The Raven troops stood to the fray The archers's arrows found their prey Soon the mighty grey wolves scurried away With new feathers in their bums-o some-o, dumb-o And the mighty grey wolves scurried away With new feathers in their bums-o Away they scampered, the puppies tamed Back across the puffin plain4 Long on lyrics, but short on brains And the Ravens drank their beer-o cheer-o, hero-o Long on lyrics, but short on brains And the Ravens drank their beer-o So to Ealdormere, let this lesson be Don't come across OUR Inland Seas Don't look to raid our ku & sheeps Or your ending will be grim-o Slim-o, trimmed-o Don't look to raid our ku & sheeps Or your ending will be grim-o

CHORUS: For we sail cross our inland seas Come to the Grey Wolves' hall on the breeze Yes, we sail cross our inland seas To visit the grey wolves, may we sit down please? We sit in our mead hall, as your ease you take Your singing and yelling, they keep us awake You drink and carouse, as your thirst you slake! We work in the morning, you hosers! Would you please pipe down, fer Chrissake! CHORUS We are simple farmers of mutton and ku Your cattle are lowing, we hear your ku moo If you do not want them, we will take home a few Thanks for the sheep and the critters We'll sell cheeze and milk back to you CHORUS We're rowing our ships as this ditty we sing We have flaming grenades to toss from our slings Because you have no doorbell for our King to ring Your city walls seem to be burning You're lucky - marshmellows we bring CHORUS Your Aethelmearc cousins have come home to roost We bring back the ravens your grey wolves have loosed As we're hunting for loons, beaver, and squirtlemoose2 We hope you like our Southern comfort It may give your spirits a boost! CHORUS TWICE

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Wolves Song # 1

¹ - loons - Ealdormereans, from the totemic bird on their money.
² - ku - cattle/cows from the Old Norse kus, kus! cow, cow! a milkmaid's call and the English moo! moo!.
³ - Bobby Dubh - "Black Bobby" from the names of the three ravens on Thescorre's banner: Hugin, Munin, and, of course Bob.
⁴ - puffin plain - a kenning for the sea.

Wolves Song # 2

¹ - The Grey Wolves Song - The original melody for this Wolves Song is the iconic The Wolves Song written by Master Hector of the Black Height.
² - squirtlemoose - the product of the genetic experiments in Great White Northern Cross-Breeding. Behold the Mighty Squirlemoose!



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Like Them? Hate Them? Ready For CROSS-BORDER BARDIC RUGGERS?

Please leave a comment below or send me e-mail. Thank you!

Saleem drápa goðinn (Drápa for Saleem the Chieftain)

Again, I am writing about a dear friend. Saleem ibn Alefan was the second Baron of Thescorre and has been a marshall (trainer of fighters) in our Barony for many years. Today, he is fighting a brave battle with cancer. This is written for him. Once again, this erfidrápa is premature, and again I pray that both he and my readers live for a very long time.

The form is Ljóðaháttr:

The ljóðaháttr stanza typically contains six lines or two units of three lines each. The first two lines in each unit are connected by alliteration, and the third is also decorated with alliteration. The first two lines have at least two beats and the third three beats.

Source: (http://www.trobar.org/prosody/pnort.php)

You will note that many of the verses in the body of the poem are repeating. The first parts of these verses are largely based on the HÁVAMÅL (The Counsel of Óthinn the One-Eyed) edited and translated by Jackson Crawford.

The recordings will be added in the next few days.

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Saleem drápa goðinn (Drapa for Saleem the Chieftain)

Old Norse Verses

Poetic Translation

Stef: Skeggjaðr herra stǫndum prúðliga snarr svanbekkjar sól gunngjóð spjotar góma fólkið leyfa láðvǫrðr lunda gunnborðs. Visur: Heyr þu spakræður ef sækir mundu af randa hreggbjóðr Opts gott þat es gamlir kveða; opt ýr skơrpum belg skilin orð koma; Nú heyrþu orð skaldins hárra, gamla ok tannlaussa allþơrf ýta sonum, heill sás kva. heill sás kann, njóti sás nam, heilir þeirs hlýddu. (stef) Sifjum es þá blandat hverr es segja ræðr einum allan hugaldr. Svá með hann - goða hrafnar - beztrar vináttu ok helztrar. Sifjum es þá blandat hverr es segja ræðr einum allan hugaldr. Svá með hann - hærra þegn prúðr hlut fríðmǫnnum hafi gefit. (Stef) Fróðr sá þykkisk es fregna kann ok segja it sama. Svá með hann - ráðsmann síðgóðan launtals skjólsman slæligan. Fróðr sá þykkisk es fregna kann ok segja it sama. Svá með hann - Grœðir vísdóms er hrafnsheim til vigafar fylgir. Fróðr sá þykkisk es fregna kann ok segja it sama. Svá með hann - herra hniplings, ríkismanna raðunautr. (Stef) Lifa með drengskap allt líf þín ok vil skylfi nipt Fenris að nema þú Svá með hann - rǫskvast Hrafnsgóði fyrst til hríðar Fróða. Lifa með drengskap allt líf þín ok vil skylfi nipt Fenris að nema þú Svá með hann - Grimmast gjóða Fíðrirjóðr Yggjar. (Stef) Esat maðr alls vesall þótt hánn sé illa heill - sumr es af frændum sæll, Svá með hann - lindar línu fríðill ok vin ljúfastr. Esat maðr alls vesall þótt hánn sé illa heill - sumr es af frændum sæll, Svá með hann - álptar-blíða dóttir ástúðligast. Esat maðr alls vesall þótt hánn sé illa heill - sumr es af frændum sæll, Svá með hann - Fygja fast són djárfastr ok bezt hugaðr. (Stef) Glaðr ok reifr skyli gumna hverr unz sinn bíðr bana. Svá með hann - á Dauði segir orð sætastu ok hvatastu. Glaðr ok reifr skyli gumna hverr unz sinn bíðr bana. Svá með oss - Láta lærið frá lífi honum vega dugnaðar. (Stef)

Refrain: Bearded chieftain bravely stands hero of the swan´s bench sun. Palate spears of people praise the land-keeper leader of the shield trees. Verses: Hear you wisdom if seek you would of the bringer of the shield storm. wisdom dwells in old men's hearts; oft from gray-beards wise words come. Hear you words of the hoary skald, old and toothless, all for men's good. Health to you who speak them, Health to you who know them, Joy to you who learn them, Health to you who hear them. (Refrain) Men are friends when they can share their minds' fruit without fear. Thus with him - Raven's Chieftain, of all comrades best and truest. Men are friends when they can share their minds' fruit without fear. Thus with him - to men of peace the brave thegn his greatest share has given. (Refrain) He seems wise who knows the answer and knows how to explain it. Thus with him - counselor honest - well-versed secret keeper. He seems wise who knows the answer and knows how to explain it. Thus with him - Wisdom-feeder Ravenhome's war-leader. He seems wise who knows the answer and knows how to explain it. Thus with him - pelican-lord gentle counsellor of Kings. (Refrain) Live with bravery all thy life and Hel will fear to seize you. Thus with him - brave Raven´s leader first to the storm of Fróði. Live with bravery all thy life and Hel will fear to seize you. Thus with him - osprey feeder Yggjar's feather reddener (Refrain) Soul-wretched is no man even if he weakens - men find happiness in their kin. Thus with him - of head-dress linden - dearest friend and lover. Soul-wretched is no man even if he weakens - men find happiness in their kin. Thus with him - of swan's grace lovely- dearest friend and father. Soul-wretched is no man even if he weakens - men find happiness in their kin. Thus with him - of scion stout-heart - dearest friend and father. (Refrain) Man should also cheerful be, till certain death comes for him. Thus with him - to Death speaks he sweetest words and bravest. Man should also cheerful be, till certain death comes for him. Thus with us - Let us learn from his life valor´s ways. (Refrain)

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Kennings Used

svanbekkjar sól > sun of the swan's bench > sun of the river > GOLD
spjotar góma > spears of the palate > TONGUES
Láðvǫrðr > land-keeper > BARON
gunnborðs > shield trees > WARRIORS

hreggbjóðr > shield-storm > WAR
randa hreggbjóðr > bringer of the shield-storm > WARRIOR
hugaldr > mind fruit > THOUGHTS
goða hrafnar > raven's chieftain > THESCORRE BARON
Grœðir vísdóms > wisdom feeder > COUNSELLOR
hrafnsheim > ravens' home > THESCORRE
vigafar fylgir > war-way leader > CHIEFTAIN
herra hniplings > pelican-lord > COMPANION OF THE PELICAN
ríkismanna raðunautr > king's man wisdom-bringer > COUNSELLOR
nipt Fenris > sister of Fenris > HEL
Hrafnsgóði > raven's chieftain > THESCORRE BARON
hríðar Fróða > storm of Fróði > WAR
Grimmast gjóða > osprey feeder > WARRIOR
FíðrirYggjar > feathers of Yggjar > feathers of Odin >RAVEN
Fíðrirjóðr Yggjar > reddener of the feathers of Yggjar > WARRIOR
lindar línu > linden of the head-dress > WOMAN, WIFE
álptar-blíða > swan's grace > MAIDEN, DAUGHTER
Fygja fast són > scion stout-heart > BRAVE SON

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Hrafn drápa hvitr (Drapa for the White Raven)

A very good friend of mine, Mistress Morgana bro Morganwg, is seriously ill with cancer. A story-teller of power and vitality, she has been one of my greatest inspirations, helping me in some of the darkest moments of my soul. My debt to her can never be re-paid in full. However, this poem is an attempt to do so. Technically, it should be called an erfidrápa, "memorial poem", but I chose to publish it now so that she can enjoy it as well. It is in the Fornyrðislag metre, one of the most ancient of Old Norse forms. In brief, this metre follows these guidelines:

In each verse there are two lines, connected by alliteration to form pairs:

Vildu at ek Valföðr Vel fyr telja

That creates the base unit of the metrical structure. In the a-line two syllables may alliterate with one syllable in the b-line. It can also be just one syllable in the a-line:

Hljóðs bið ek allar helgar kindir

But in the b-line readers always find a second non-alliterating syllable to put stress on, matching the second stressed syllable (often alliterating) of the a-line.

(source: http://www.trobar.org/prosody/pnort.php)

The "White Raven" in the title come from an Old Norse proverb, sjaldsénir hvítir hrafnar, "White ravens are not seen every day."

In writing this, I hope and pray that both Morgana and my readers are in good health and that she will be with us for a very long time to come.

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Hrafn drápa hvitr

Old Norse Verses

Poetic Translation

STEF: Skarpar hrafnar sjaldan vitar - en heyrðum hofðum hvardýggvu þin VERSIR: Folkstari hefir lengi flogit vitru delir Váfǫðurins. Elskat hefir angrtæl sifunu ok reist til þu ramsligs skaldstírs. Folkstari hefir lengi flogit vitru delir Váfǫðurins. Elshrings hernættir allra lærssveinar flogit hefir til ferða módir. Folkstari hefir lengi flogit vitru delir Váfǫðurins. drykk af vǫtni Skotzkr drekkum - háraptr með skelli hlægja hristisk. Sǫguljóðin segðir hetjna tarrat ágœti Ýtars rítar af kattum Hǫrna ok handa Tyrs. Hauk í horni ok Haakon eldbrand Sǫguljóðin segðir hetjna tarrat ágœti Ýtars rítar. af hverrgætum gallharðum Friggjar af brandum Hofs ok bjóri Hárs. Fræði borit forna hefðir ok nafna gefit neytu til þu manni illast úþegn Atlis frændum beykra â flatneskjum vígs Fræði borit forna hefðir ok nafna gefit neytu til þu bræðr Þorinns blátta hǫrunds stolinn svipliga úfalla í strá Fljugask skipu víð fljót þíslar ok kertu brenask at þér boðorðum. þó ert lágvaxinn sonu Lofars fárreiða hefir frósit með tillit. Fljugask skipu víð fljót þíslar ok kertu brenask at þér boðorðum. at eggþingi kvartað konungar geystir - grút hellatir á græðum skelfðan. Um Vestanhavit til Vindheimins nú hrafn skaltu fljúga hvitr. Ver skal gráta skalda mæðra því meguma at fljúga með þu. Um Vestanhavit til Vindheimins nú hrafn skaltu fljúga hvitr. Áhlýðast vilja engir menn á þik nær fjǫru fundit fjarri hefir. Um Vestanhavit til Vindheimins nú hrafn skaltu fljúga hvitr. munu kvattu með Muninn þá; bíðliga skaldsǫl drekkir baðir.

REFRAIN: White Raven, you are seldom heard But we have listened to your wisdom. VERSES: Long war-starling have you flown wisdom-dealer of Woe-father. Grief beguiler, you have loved and raised your folk to strong skald's glory. Long war-starling have you flown wisdom-dealer of Woe-father. Journey-mother, you have led to war-night fire-rings all your lore-swains. Long war-starling have you flown wisdom-dealer of Woe-father. We drank a draft of Scottish waters laughter roaring shook Highrafters. Told the tales of heroes' glory: Spread the fame of shield impellers of cats of Freyja, hand of Tyr of cornered Hawk and fiery Haakon. Told the tales of heroes' glory: Spread the fame of shield impellers of cinder-hardened cooks of Frigga of brands of Hof and beer of Hárs. You have brought the ancient lore and given useful names to illest man - not Atli's thegn to Cooper's kin on Pennsic plain. You have brought the ancient lore and given useful names to boldest Þorinn's brothers blue-skinned steering swift, not-felled-in-straw. Ships of the wain-shaft swiftly fly and burn the candles at your bid-words. Fiercesome Lofar's sons you froze by glance, though only shrub-high are you. Ships of the wain-shaft swiftly fly and burn the candles at your bid-words. At edge-thing kvetched the raging kings oil you poured on troubled waters. O'er Western seas to high Winds' home You, white raven, now must fly. True skalds' mother we must weep because we may not fly with you. O'er Western seas to high Winds' home You, white raven, now must fly. No man to you an ear will give when you have found the farther shore. O'er Western seas to high Winds' home You, white raven, now must fly. You shall talk with Munin then blithely drinking skalds-ale both.

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You can hear it in Old Norse here:

and in English here:

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KENNINGS USED
hrafn vitr - white raven - MORGANA
vitru delir - wisdom-dealer - POET/STORY-TELLER
Folkstari - war-starling - RAVEN
Váfǫðurins - of Woe-Father - ÓÐINN
angrtæl sifunu - Grief-beguiler - MORGANA
lærssveinar - lore-swains - APPRENTICES
ferða módir - Journey-mother - MORGANA
Ýtars rítar - shield impellers - WARRIORS
gallharðum - cinder-hardened - BURNED
manni illast úþegn Atlis - "illest" man not Atli's [Attila's] thegn - "A MOSTLY SQUARE MAN ... WHO WASN'T GOOD ENOUGH TO BE A TUCHUK" - refers to an ancient tale of the Pennsic Wars
bræðr Þorinns blátta hǫrunds - blue-skinned brothers of boldest Thorinn [dwarf] - the NAC MAC FEEGLE from Terry Pratchett's novels
úfalla í strá - not fallen in straw - NOT LOST
skipu þíslar - ships of the wain-shaft - WAGONS/TRAINS
boðorðum - bid-words - ORDERS
Fljugask skipu víð fljót þíslar [at þér boðorðum] - Ships of the wain-shaft swiftly fly at your bid-words - THE TRAINS RUN ON TIME
kertu brenask at þér boðorðum - candles burn at your bid-words - TIMES PASSES ON YOUR ORDERS
sonu Lofars - sons of Lofar - DWARVES
eggþingi - edge thing - WAR
Vindheimins - High Winds' Home - HEAVEN
skalda mæðra - mother of skalds - MORGANA
skaldsǫl - skald's ale - POETRY

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