Viking Folk Song: Hildetand

A song I wrote with a friend sung in Old Norse.

English Lyrical Translation:

All Harald's Danish men, they stand. Standing fast, shield locked in shield. The swords are drawn for warplay
And men and youths are seeking Valhalla, but the Norns have sealed the Fates- Hildetand's House shall perish
Now Odin has chosen to favor Ring’s cause; Sigurd shall lead the Northmen and his line be exalted a hundred years
Until his sons have left their mark
‘Til Ragnarok. 'Til Ragnarok
When Tyr shall joust Gamr nok
A final slaughter, in Asatru’s name, hereafter the old ways pass away
Odin, stand by me. Banish the evil within me (x2)

Then chants all Heimdal's sons in the bull's steel-drivers
The food of Hugin's flock is grown by the storm of the murder-clouds
And the offerings for the hunger of eagles set up as if to boil
The blind decrepit prays for victory from "that" with one eye
Valhalla stands near, and all einherjar are here
My desire pleads - Let me be ever loyal
Bravellir, breeze of spears, watched by the Valkyries- judging, condemning, though slowly witnessing woes and downfall.

But the Norns have sealed fate
Hildetand's house shall perish
My "Frey-spirit" hungers calmly
Deny me the sleep and grant me the victory
My brothers - they are near (x2)
And Valhalla is theirs
And mine (x2)

This song is dedicated to the battle of Bravellir where Harald Hildetand, weary that he would not enter Valhalla without meeting a warrior's death, suggested a battle be fought between he and Sigurd Ring (Ragnar’s Lothbrok's father.)

"Harald fell in the battle, some say by Odin's own hand, along with 15 kings and 30,000 free-born men. When Sigurd Ring heard that his opponent had fallen, he instantly gave the sign that the fighting should cease. The day after the battle he sought out King Harald's body and put it onto a funeral pyre along with his horse. Sigurd Ring stood before the fire and bade Harald ride straight to Valhalla and secure lodging for those who had perished." (Hvitfeldt, Arild. Danmarks Riges Krønike)