Ásmegin
Hin Vordende Sod & Sø
1. Af Helvegum
Et sidste Lidelses Qvin flærres hist af vældige Skoguls Uvær,
til Slagmark rinner Hugghav naar Glavinds Higen hvile maa
Mod Frænders Skiød for Baner at melde de intet længer ere,
thi disse skal Færden til Hvergelmes Bredder afskyelige gaa
"Dagr myrkvar ok dóttir míkil NQrvis er fQlr,
kyrr krefjar hon til víss um lif yðar at ráða;
flóð fleina - sára orns nautr eigi lengra átti,
ok kvennskikkja kallaði á Þér af Helvegum"
Af Helvegum
Skiønt for Svig ved Drot forkiært eders Lagnad age skal,
der Gjóll rungende hamrer grumt efter disse Mænd bange
Bi Angerbodas Datter at giæste i Eljudne, forblommet Sal;
Ganglot ledte til Fordømtes Gilde ved Hungerstider lange
"Dagr myrkvar ok dóttir míkil NQrvis er fQlr,
kyrr krefjar hon til víss um lif yðar at ráða;
flóð fleina - sára orns nautr eigi lengra átti,
ok kvennskikkja kallaði á Þér af Helvegum"
Hnigin er Helgrind!
Af Helvegum
Þangat æðra er
[English translation:]
On The Road To Helheim1
One last squeal of suffering is torn from the storms of mighty Skogul2,
In the battlefield runs the sea of slaughter3, when spear's craving may rest,
Against the bosom of the kinsmen to tell the slain that they are no more
For these shall be abominable the journey to the expanses of Hvergelmir4
"The day is dark and the daughter of great Norvi5 is pale
Quiet she craves for ruling your life;
Flood of shafts6 - your companion the eagle’s wounds no longer had
And a female silhouette is calling out to you on the road to Helheim"
On the road to Helheim
Though for betrayal against the king your fate shall go wrong,
There where roaring Gjóll7 grimly hammers these frightened men
By Angrboda's daughter8 as a guest in Eljudne9, the flowered hall
Ganglot10 led, in long times of famine, to the feast of the damned
The gates of Hel are opened!
On the road to Helheim
There is dread
2. Bruderov Paa Hægstadtun
Thi en Tørst; giv mig noget af hin brændende Børst!
Idelig higende efter at druknes i udhungrende Qvider
Lav Felen spille til Dans; Piger yndige jeg giver min Ans
Ingerid, ingenlunde skal De nemme just hvor jeg lider
Til Helved med Aslak Smed
og jer Lunde-Bærmer med,
der stummes i Hvisken og Nid
Paa hin Tun hvo Dansen stod
voldes nu mit vaage Taalmod
Leiten er nær; velende I ere,
Faafængt at begiære min Grid!
Ingen Pige velig bestrider en gyntsks for en graanets Haand
O, Ve og Lede; finnes her nogen yndige der kan volde Mon?
Aat Gildes Tun blandt Hedalsfolket en Mø forkunn
lod mig Hægstadbondens Datter blindt forsømme;
for dit Leie kan jeg nys komme i sortladen Lys,
thi over Mulmets Varulvham dit Blod at tømme!
Brudgommen tryglende om
hans saa kiærkomne Blom
jeg fra Stabbur skulle hente;
"Ingerid vil ei paa Laasen lette
Klarer De bedaare hin Kiætte,
vil De faa een Stud til dit Traa
om De mi Ingerid vil hente!"
Saa svandt Peer; blottet for Tilsyn noget mer
hvorimod Tunet i Argskab skaaldet livlig op
Men nu op i Skrænten steil de skielnet ham;
og over hans Skulder; unge Ingerids Krop!
Knoger hvidnes i Avind, der sværtes balstyrig hin
Smeden attraaende efter eders Skiærsilds Hier;
hvor Hinmanden selv giør op jer Bod i idel Bel,
dog een ung Mø i hint Hurlumhei siauende tier:
"Vil min Peer da attende
til mig saa trofast vende?
Hengiven skal jeg nu li,
og aldrig til nogen anden
søge Trøst; Vaar og Høst
venter jeg dig for al Tid"
[English translation:]
Bride Abduction At Hægstad Square11
Because of the thirst; give me some of your burning drink!
Always yearning to be drowned in starving sorrow
Let the fiddle play a dance; (to) lovely girls I give my attention
Ingerid, in no way shall you feel just how I suffer
To hell with Aslak the smith
And you Lunde12 rabble as well,
They fell silent in whispers and mockery
Upon the square where the dancing held
Provoked now is my weak patience
The time is nigh; tricking are ye,
In vain to desire my mercy!
No girl would willingly deny the hand of a Gynt for that of a grey old man
Oh, woe and sorrow! is there any lovely (girl) who may cause happiness?
At the feast square among the Hedal people, an excited maiden
Made me to blindly neglect the daughter of Hægstad's landowner;
For your pallet I can quickly come as blackish light13,
To empty your blood upon the werewolf shape of darkness!
The groom besought
His flower so dear
I had from the larder to fetch;
“Ingerid will not the lock undo
If you can, charm this kitten,
You shall receive a young bull to your desire
If only my Ingerid you fetch!”
Then Peer disappeared; no more to be seen
In the square, conversely, anger flared
But now upon the hillside so steep they descried him;
And over his shoulder, young Ingerid's body!
I have come to take with me she who my heart holds near
I have come to take with me she who is for me so hearty
Knuckles in envy went white, cursed wildly to him
The smith longing for your purgatory's lairs;
Where the devil himself settles your penitence for all time,
Yet one maiden in this tumult silently says:
“Shall my Peer then return
To me so faithfully?
Devoted I shall now abide
And never in another
Seek comfort; spring and autumn
For all time I shall await thee”
3. Huldradans - Hin Grønnkledde
Kom til mín
Heyrðu sál mína kalla
Stend i skuggunum ok bíð
Eftir þér
Komþú, taktu mik með
Rikið mitt bíðir
Ek þrái þinn líkama
Augu þín brosa - hendumar skelfa - komþu!
Komþu maður, komþu til mín
Allt mitt getur orðið þitt
Komþu madur, komþu til mín
Ek em allt sem þu villt fá
Kastaþu frá þér lífi þínu,
þinn sársauki ok veikleiki
Leyfþu mér að sýna þér hvat gleði er
Yfir Gjoll við vöndrum
Ekki berjast i mófi mér -
Ek véit þu vilt mik
það er ákveðíð, þínn örlög em ék
Komþu, komþu med til Helheims
Komþu maður, komþu til mín
Allt mitt getur orðið þitt
Komþu maður, komþu til mín
Ek em allt sem þu villt fá
[English translation:]
Huldra Dance - The Green-Clad One14
Come to me
Hear my soul calling
Standing in the shadows and waiting
For you
Come, take me with you
My kingdom awaits
I long for you as well
Your eyes smile - hands trembling - come!
Come, man, come to me
All that is mine shall be yours
Come, man, come to me
I am all that you shall have
Throw your life away from you
Your pain and weakness
Allow me to show you what happiness is
Wandering over Gjóll15
Don't fight against me -
I know you want me
So it's decided, your destiny I am
Come, come with me to Helheim
Come, man, come to me
All that is mine shall be yours
Come, man, come to me
I am all that you shall have
4. Til Rondefolkets Herskab
I begsorte Fieldkamre bløde, hvor Myriader af Øine vil gløde
over kristenblodig Hold forkunn til hin vordende Sod og Sø
Bragt til Rondefolkets Herskab, saa mellem Afaat og Troldskab,
stiller Aases Enbaarne hen om at ægte Trolddrottins fagreste Mø
I utaalelige flærrende Hyl, qvinende Jammer,
hungrende Troldbørn legende ham rammer:
"Flærr ham, bid ham, skiær ham, riv ham,
lav os bryde disse skrøbelige Ribben an!"
Fra Bjergthronen vældig fornemmer
De fortrolige Broses kløgtige Tale:
"Forhenværende Drot nu attraar efter en
thi vaares beslaatte Æt at se til
Der er intet Skilnad mellem Trold og Mand,
skal Søn prud bære Hale,
med de Tilsagn skiænkes min Datter
og halve Troldriget i medgift dertil;
Hvad udenfor Rondernes Grænser, sværg De aldrig mere enser,
thi at kræve min Datters Gunst Dagslys væmmelig skal De sky
Blivende Herre over min Flok; Peer, vær Dem selv - nok!
Skiære Dem i Øiet skiævt saa alt Dem gildt tykkes i dunkel Vy"
"Drukken Galmands Snak; at flærre Øiet et Hak,
intet længer begiærende at raa over et Troldpak"
"Min Peer, forsøm mig dog ei, thi før Aaret lier
med Eders daarende Attraa mit Nors Far De bliver"
"Løgn!
Aabne Rondeporten, slipp mig hen ud!
Løgnagtig er Førkiens utaalelige Sut"
I Broses brændende infame Foragt
over Hvad der Peer dog haver sagt,
for tusind hungrende Troldbørn
ham ubønhørlig saa bliver bragt:
"Flærr ham, bid ham, skiær ham, riv ham,
kast hans skrøbelige Skrot inn i Bjergvæg!"
[English translation:]
To The Household Of Ronde People16
In pitch-black mountain chambers wet, where myriads of eyes will glow
Over Christian-bloody meat, excited for the prospective soup and broth
Brought to the household of Ronde people, so among vermin and sorcery,
Silent is the only son of Aase about to marry the most beautiful maiden of troll queen
In intolerable tearing shriek, squealing wails,
Hungry the troll child jumping hits him;
"Tear him, tie him, cut him, rip him,
Let us sever this frail rib!"
From the mighty mountain throne they perceive intimately the wind blast17's keen speech:
The former king now craves for someone to look after our adorned family
There's no difference between troll and man, shall the son proud carry the tail
With this vow my daughter and half troll-kingdom is granted as dowry
What lies outside Ronde’s boundaries, swear you'll never heed anymore,
To demand my daughter's favour, abhorrent daylight you shall shun
To become lord over my flock; Peer, be yourself - enough!
Carve you eye oblique so everything will appear of gold in your obscure view"
"Speech of a drunken madman; to tear the eye with a hook,
No longer I desire to rule over a troll pack"
"My Peer, don't neglect me yet, because before the year dies
With your alluring desire the father of my baby you'll become"
"Lie!
Open the gate of Ronde, let me go out!
Dishonest is the intolerable pain of the woman"
In the burning infamous contempt of the wind blast
About what Peer have said there,
Thousands of hungry troll children
Inexorably are brought to him:
"Tear him, tie him, cut him, rip him,
Cast his frail body against the mountain walls!"
5. Over Ægirs Vidstragte Sletter
Bag Skindskov et Grin af Malice
blottes over hin arrede Facade
Naar Hingsten over Hav uden Lise
færdes thi Krists Guld at lade
Over Hav det færdes,
der Enker atter forfærdes
Farleis Ende nu i Havn
med Dødens Hærtog i sitt Favn
Hvor dierve Mænd fraader i Galskab
og dækker hint Land med Blod,
skal Ilden galei i Bævens Drab
over hint Land hvor Solen stod
Domine, te appellabam
Domine, audi curam nostram
Domine, vide operem mortis
Cantant inferi lucto patris
Domine, te appellabam
Domine, te appellabamus
[English translation:]
Over Ægir's Wide-Stretched Plains18
Behind the forest of cheek19 a grin of malice
Is bared over the scarred face
When the stallion20 over the sea, fearless
Travels to load Christ's gold
Over the sea it travels,
Where widows are again in terror
The end of the route now in the harbour
With the army of Death in its arms
Where brave men foam in madness
And cover the land with blood
Shall the fire roar in the terrifying battle21
Over the land where sun stood
Lord, thee I called
Lord, hear our trouble
Lord, see the deed of Death
The netherworlds sing the bereavement of the father
Lord, thee I called
Lord, thee we called
6. Slit Livets Baand
7. Efterbyrden
I Silhouetter fra Dørgløten skimtes
grave Mænd i Hin stolte Jarls Klæder,
og Værger vil drikke dybt af Norges
høibaarne Æt og De fortrolige nære
Jarlens Henseender ere klare;
Hin vordende Thronarving er begiæret død;
atter skiærer bistert Staal giennem Qvin
... og Noret dræbes i Morens Skiød
I Oblivion vil Nederdrægtighed spire
I Oblivion Efterbyrden skal vansire
De haver ingen Kunden om Gammel Barselssed
Saa lagnadstung denne Dag; akk, hin Barselssed
Noget Utyske vanhelsige
spiætter mellem Dauskrotter
og hviner efter Afaat hæslige,
der saa frigid i Kiøldens Bryst
blir eders Livskraft deprivert
thi at dulme sveltende Lyst
Utysket hinsides Taagen vældige svandt
vendt mod Nord, mod Aftensolens Rand
hen ifra en tilforn Kongsgaard vakant
Saa kom Pesten over Hint ganske Land
Langs Alfadervei og Grænder ligger Folk i Sygdom svøbt
Bag Tomhets Aasyn raader Pinsler i Nederdrægtighed døbt
I Oblivion vil Nederdrægtighed spire
I Oblivion Efterbyrden skal vansire
De haver ingen Kunden om Gammel Barselssed
Saa lagnadstung denne Dag; akk, hin Barselssed
Henfalden jeg tæres hen
i ligesæl Stilfærdighed;
mit Kiød til dig er given
Favn mig i dit Malum
Drikk af svulne Vunder
Slit Livets Baand grum
[English translation:]
The Afterbirth22
In silhouettes from the door chink grave men glimpse in their proud earl's clothes
And weapons will drink deeply of Norway's highborn ancestry and they intimately feed
The earl's opinions are clear; the prospective throne-heir is desired dead;
Again cuts grimly the steel through the squeal - and the baby is killed in the mother's womb
In oblivion shall perfidiousness sprout
In oblivion the afterbirth shall mar
They have no knowledge about the old childbirth's custom
So destiny-burdened this day; ah, the childbirth's custom
Some sick evil being
Kicks amid dead bodies
And screeches after hideous vermin
There so frigid in the breast of coldness
Is your life-power deprived
To alleviate starving lust
The evil being beyond the fog tremendous vanished
Turned towards north, towards the evening sun's edge
Afar, from an ancient king's court, vacant
So came the plague over the whole land
Along the public roads and farmsteads lie people wrapped in sickness
Behind the face of emptiness the torments rule in perfidiousness baptized
Exhausted I am consumed
In indifferent tranquillity
My body is given to you
Embrace me in your evil
Drink of swollen wounds
Tear life's bond cruel
8. Op Af Bisterlitiern
Et forlorent Stille hviler over disse Lænder
hvor noget forbistret venter i Mulmet hen;
Agtende jeg færder med Værge i Hænder,
skiønt, ved et blot Von om at undgaa dem
Taagen rundt min Lagnad saa svinner;
favnet i Trolddoms infame Intermesso
Forenet i Vondske - alt mig i Hu rinner
Dimensioner hinsides vaares egen Realia
Op af Bisterlitiernets Bund
stiger nu tusindvis af Utøi;
se, Nivlheim-Portens Sund!
De vise har mig saa fortalt;
Naar Malices Yngler danser,
sort de haver Lagnaden malt
Min Kløgt forringes; i Oversanselighed svøbt
Fortumlet af Bævens Fabler saa lammende
Larmen af klaskende Fødder og Klør i Muld;
O, Spektakel, ophør! Rædsel saa lammende
Bisterliskovens Creaturer mig antræffer
og Grene forræderske mig bemægtiger,
Mine Øine! De bedrager mig! Skiær de ud!
Jeg saaledes min sidste Akt nu betræffer
Flygtende, med et vaagt Haab - faafængt
Jagtet ned fra alle Kanter - indestængt
I Bisterlihøens Juv min Historie endes:
"O, Smukke Død! Eders befriende Favn
Besørg nu min Familia, mit Altets Savn!
Vaag - thi jeg bodet med mit Corpus -
over de, der venter Hiemme til Huus
Lav mig se min Hustru og mit Nor
Lav hende høre mig i Vindens Sus
Lov mig at bringe mine sidste Ord
til de, der venter Hiemme til Huus"
[English translation:]
Up From The Grim Tarn
A forlorn silence rests over these lands
Where something cursed awaits in the dark
Cautiously I walk with weapon in hands
Although, with a sole hope to avoid them
The fog around my destiny disappears23
Embraced in the infamous intermezzo of sorcery
United in evilness - all emerges in my memory
Dimensions beyond our own reality
Up from the grim tarn's bottom
Now arise thousands of vermin;
Look, the strait of Niflheim24 gate!
The wise has told me thus
When the spawns of malice dance,
Black they have painted the destiny
My sagacity is abated, wrapped in transcendency
Bewildered by terrifying fables so paralysing
The noise of cracking foot and claws in the mould;
Oh, prodigy, stop! Terror so paralysing
The creatures of the grim wood find me
And deceitful branches get hold of me
My eyes! They deceit me! Cut them out!
Thus now I meet my last act
Fleeing, with a weak hope - in vain
Hunted down from all around - closed up
In the ravine of the grim mountain - my story is ended:
"Oh, beautiful Death! Your freeing embrace,
Look after my family now, my world's loss!
Watch - for I paid with my body -
Over them, there await at home in the house
Let me see my wife and my baby
Let her hear me in the whiz of the wind
Promise me to bring my last word
To them, there await at home in the house"
9. Vargr I Véum - Eilivs Bane
Hin Æreskiændselens profane Scene belyst i Tusmørkets Skodde
hvoraf skaanselløst Evenement fugtige Øine atter hin maa beskue
Herre Odin, skiænk mig Vigør til et urokkelig Sind jeg her ei raadde
og forbarm hin Horg, bereist med mine egne Næver - nu i Lue
Alt nu fordærves af Hvide-Krist
Jærtegn paa hvad der skal gry
iagttag, vaares Tid svinner hen
Kiære Broder, Voluspaa sandes
Vargr i véum
Knælende henimod bebyrdet og ildsvien i Melankoliens idelige Baand,
ei kunne jeg fornemme Faren der min margstiaalne Skrot rammer;
Hint Banesaar der blev mig voldt ved Hvide-Krists pestsorte Haand
Nuets Græmmelse mig gav Forstand til at færdes i anselige Flammer
Alt nu fordærvet af Hvide-Krist
Jærtegn paa hvad der nu gryr
iagttag, vaares Tid er svunnet hen
Kiære Broder, Voluspaa er sandet
Vargr i véum
[English translation:]
Wolf In The Sanctuary25 - Eilivs' Death
The profane scene of honour-desecration gleamed in the mist of twilight
Of which merciless events, moist eyes must behold again
Lord Odin, grant me vigour for an immovable mind I didn't control here
And have mercy on the temple, raised with my own fists - now on fire
Everything now is tainted by White-Christ26
Omen on which it shall dawn
Look, our time disappears
Dear brothers, Voluspa27 has been sent
Wolf in the sanctuary
Kneeling down burdened and fire-scorched in the eternal bond of melancholy
I cannot perceive the danger there where it hits my weak body
The mortal wound was caused to me by White-Christ's plague-black hand
The moment's grief gave me the sense of going in big flames
Everything now is tainted by White-Christ
Omen on which it shall dawn
Look, our time disappears
Dear brothers, Voluspa is sent
Wolf in the sanctuary
10. Blodhevn
Et dystert Aasyn over emansipert Siæl jeg hæver
alterert af hint varme Blod i Sneen hen
i Sorgens Omfavnelse jeg knytter blodige Næver
under en graadende Himmel, kun een red Hiem
Thi Ginnunga-Gab staar over mig i Kvæld
og vred Tor harmer en rystende Moder Jord
Sværget ved Graven, min Viv
Blodhevn
Maatte jeg beskikke mit Liv
Blodhevn
For al Tid at erindre hvor De maatte lide
under Hvide-Krists Staal dit Liv om at bøde
ei lod konverteres, forgiæves skulle stride
følge dig jeg skal om Hel jeg maa møde
Hvor Nattens Fyrste trolig blaaser ud min Ild
jeg tørrer Hænderne for Dug, min faldne Bror
Sværget ved Graven, min Viv
Blodhevn
Maatte jeg beskikke mit Liv
Blodhevn
Vinden gialder forgylt mælt af vaare stoute Fædre
Hin Elegi svøber Maaneskin i Lød af Blod
Disse Faldne med Nidkiærhed jeg vil atter hædre
under reiste Stene til Ære de hviler i Ro
[English translation:]
Blood Vengeance
A gloomy face I lift over an emancipated soul
Altered by your warm blood in the snow
In the sorrow's embrace I clench my bloody fists
Beneath a weeping sky, one only rode home
For Ginnunga-gap28 stands over me tonight
And furious Thor hammers a trembling Mother Earth
Sworn by the grave, my wife
Blood vengeance
I had to rearrange my life
Blood vengeance
Forever should be remembered how they had to suffer
Under white-Christ's steel you paid with your life29
Didn't allow to be converted, fought in vain
I will follow you even if I have to face Hel
Where the lord of the night will maybe blow out my fire
I dry my hands for you, my fallen brothers
The wind resounds gilded speeches of our stalwart fathers
The elegy wraps the moonlight in hue of blood
These fallen with zeal I will honour again
Under risen stones with honour they rest in peace
11. Valgalder
Oðinn sá ert á Valhall
Ek helga Nafn Þínn
Gef honum i sinum Harmi hans Lif,
sá vill hann Hemni getá.
Villir ek fara a Valhall -
eigi takit Þér Lif honum, vér min
Gef vit míkil Styrka a Jarðar ok a Valhall
Bloðhemnr - dú helðr oss frá Illu!"
Ek em eigi dauðr, min Bror
Ef ek finnr Banumanni min,
Þár mun ek láta Hring blóðrauðan
um Hals honum
[English translation:]
Magic Chant Of The Slain
Odin the one that is in Valhalla
I sanctify your name
Give him, in his grief, his life (again)
So he will get vengeance.
I want to go to Valhalla -
Don't take his life, my man
Give us great strength on earth and in Valhalla
Blood vengeance - you hold us from evil!
I am not dead, my brother
If I find my killer,
Then I shall put a blood-red ring
Around his neck
1. The kingdom of the queen Hel, a sort of netherworld
2. Kenning for battle. Skogul is a valkyrie
3. Kenning for blood
4. Source that spouts in Niflheim and from which every river flows
5. A giant, father of the Night
6. Can be a kenning for blood but here refers to the host of the dead with their weapons
7. The river most close to the gates of Hel
8. It is the queen Hel herself born by the giantess Angrboda, wife of Loki
9. Underground hall of Helheim
10. Hel's maidservant
11. Lyric inspired to Ibsen’s Peer Gynt, Act I Scene III
12. Norwegian town
13. “Sort lys” is a fluorescent light, here it means he can visit here in the shape of an evil spirit
14. Lyric inspired to Ibsen’s Peer Gynt, Act II Scene V
15. The river most close to the gates of Hel, it said that the dead should wade a river to enter the netherworld
16. Lyric inspired to Ibsen’s Peer Gynt, Act II Scene VI
17. It’s the oldman of Dovre mountain, the king of the trolls
18. Kenning for sea. Ægir was a sea-giant, his plains are the ocean
19. Kenning for beard
20. Ship
21. Lit. the battle of trembling
22. It was believed that if after giving birth you did not bury the placenta it would grow up to be a sort of "evil twin."
23. My destiny now becomes clear
24. Dark and misty reign that lies under Yggdrasil’s roots
25. "Varg i veum" is an old norse expression which directly translated means "wolf in the sanctuary" or "wolf in the temple", it was used referring to men who had become outlawed after comitting a crime in a holy place or in a place of justice
26. See note 27
27. The prophecy about the Ragnarok made by the völva (seeress)
28. It's the chaos-cleft from which the Norse world was born
29. White-Christ is the name with which heathens called Christ and after the Christians, possibly because they dressed in white during baptism, there is no evidence of a conversion by weapons of the heathens, in fact the conversion was introduced by a royal decree of king Olaf Tryggvasson, and gradually adopted by the society of the period, in many sagas we read of people who believed both Christ and Thor and many were converted but still maintained their ancient belief (see Njal's saga).
Lyrics in plain text format
