Nordic Roots

Tom gave us a start on it. It's not an unworthy thing to chase, near the Yuletide.



I note that the video seems to be drawn from a retelling of Beowulf's second battle, against the Mother of Grendel.
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1 comment:

  1. Tom1:01 AM

    Interesting. Here's one translation (from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWY6GMYgGjI):

    Early one morning before the sun arises
    Before the birds begin to sing
    The mountain troll proposes to the fair young knight
    and she had a false speech

    :Herr Mannelig, herr Mannelig, will you marry me
    for all that I'll give you so gladly?
    If you want you well answer only yes or no
    If you want to or not:

    To you I'll give twelve fast horses
    That stand in the pink grove
    They never had been saddled up
    nor had a bridle in their mouths

    To you I'll give twelve mills
    That stand between Tillo and Terno
    The millstones are of the redest gold
    and the wheel is silver covered

    To you I'll give a gilded sword
    That jingles from fifteen gold rings
    And fight as much as you will,
    on the battlefield you shall conquer

    To you I'll give a brand new shirt
    The best and lustrous to wear
    It's not sewn with needle or thread
    But crocheted of the whitest silk

    Gifts like these I'll take so gladly
    if you were a christian woman.
    But I know you are the worst mountain troll
    From evil spirits and devil spawn

    The mountain troll ran out through the door
    She wailed and shrieked so hard
    "Had I gotten that fair young knight
    I would lose my torment"

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