Dags kyndill (Day´s candle)

Today was a gloomy one in upstate New York, another in what will become a depressing string of sullen, dismal days. I hope we get snow before Christmas, but until we do, I fear it will be "rain, rain,go away...."

One of my friends, Julie Golick, a skald from Canada (Montréal, I believe), mentioned the guttering day's candle this morning and lit a small votive flame for my skaldic side. What follows is what she inspired. It is intended to be quasi-religious, using the sun as a metaphor for the Blessed Virgin Mary. The rest follows from that central image. I hope it works on both levels, however.

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Dags kyndill

Old Icelandic	Literal Translation	Idiomatic Translation
Dags kyndill dylisk dúkar hon eru lúku; aldri neitar illar ylir synds-trja gyldr Dyrkað vér djarf-liga dǫglingr fróns sólar: silki-dúkar skilja svart-grána ok regn-ful; láta kynda léttast lyfit logi skýja.	Days candle hides curtains her are drawn; ever denies evil warmth sin-trees golden. Beg we boldly king of the land of the sun: Silky-curtains part dark-gray and rain-filled; let kindle most cheerful healing light of the clouds	The days-candle hides - her curtains are drawn; (she) ever denies evil sin-trees golden warmth. King of the Land of the Sun, we boldly beg (that you) part the dark-gray, rain-filled curtains (and) let the most cheerful healing light of the clouds kindle

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Kennings Used

Dags kyndel  > Day's candle   >  SUN

dúkar  >  curtain  >  CLOUDS

synds-trja  >  sin-trees  >  MEN

dǫglingr fróns sólar  >  king of the land of the sun  >  king of Heaven  >  GOD

silki-dúkar  >  silky-curtains  >  CLOUDS

logi  skýja  >  light of the clouds  >  SUN

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