Svolder's Battle

Would you like to hear my song? Would you believe my words? About king Olaf Tryggvason, the subject of this song. [Refrain:] Dance resounds in the halls, Dance! – Form a ring. Brave Norwegians ride to Hildur's thing. The king had a vessel built on the level sand. The Serpent was the largest ship built on Norwegian lands. [Refrain] Eric left the sandy beach, ran down to the pier: 'Be prepared to leave the beach the Serpent is now here!” [Refrain] They all saw the Serpent come sailing proud and bold. The rigging was a sail of silk, the bows were made of gold. [Refrain] Wolf the Red stood in the bows, he never got it wrong: 'Don't shoot the ship to much ahead, the Serpent is too long”. [Refrain] King Olaf stood up in the stern staring back and forth: 'Who owns all these mighty ships steering at our port?” [Refrain] Herning looks out on the ships, answers to his call: 'They belong to Eric the Earl, the bravest of them all” [Refrain] The king of Denmark stormed ahead convinced that he could win. Norwegians, they fought so hard! the Danish lines were thin. [Refrain] Smoke raised from fighting men, blood poured in the sea. It turned out that all the Danes had to back and flee. [Refrain] Eric jumped onboard the Serpent with his sword in hand. Herning rushed down from the stern, med him with his brand. [Refrain] The king shouted from the stern, through the noise and rattle: 'Jump into the sea, my men! We have lost this battle” [Refrain] Then the king and all his men, -although brave and bold- jumped into the salty sea, they did as they were told. [Refrain]