THE VIKING TALE

Over blue oceans, the wind hard and good

I see no land for a home

Oh Odin, I long to see earth

Besides the old soil in a brass chest

Mine Viking heart aches for frolic

Must we all feast in Ran’s Halls?

My sword arm dos’ ache

With the heaving of the oar; my back dos’ ache with

the heaving of the oar.

Over black oceans, the wind and waves, are tossing us

hard

The mast is down the oars are out;

I see no land to rest

Oh Thor bring up your hammer; call of your rage

We tire of the sea

Must we feast in Ran’s Halls?

With a heart-breaking gesture we prepare for death;

We put on our hell shoes

I hand out our fee.

Us Norse Men need land, I pray for deliverance

Our provisions are low winter draws close

Shall we die aboard the ‘Dragon Tongue?

But lo’! A bird! A Raven Odin’s Bird!

The storms have lifted; the mast is up the men rest

from the oar

Follow and keep watch: Land must be near

Odin’s Bird shall guide us follow

Strip of your hell shoes pocket your gold give a great

shout

The gods have mercy upon us

Lo’! I see land give thanks a great shout!

We shall have frolic and houses and fields.

New land’s full of sun.

The women weep; It has been hard

They weep for joy and for sorrow for their old homes

and for the fair sight of

Wonderful land.

We pulled ashore the ship is on rollers

The men leap for joy

They roll and tumble in the grassy land.

We have found a land for a home;

We have found land to rest.

I build our temple we give our praise

to the gods in Asgard that watch over us.

We give great thanks and build

our great hall the ale dos’ flowith merrily!

Now winter is over the Jotuns leave us in peace

the hall rings with wily

rejoicing feasting tables bend from Platters

and food; benches dos’ bend from men

The women weave

The men do plow the fields.

~by Z. age 11 ~

inspired in part by Jennie Hall's Viking Tales