Skald

(album: Skald - 2018)

[By Bragi inn gamli (the old) Boddason]

Troll kalla mik
tungl sjötrungnis,
auðsug jötuns,
élsólar böl,
vilsinn völu,
vörð náfjarðar,
hvélsvelg himins –
hvat er troll nema þat?

Sköld kalla mik:
skipsmið Viðurs,
Gauts gjafrötuð,
grepp óhneppan,
Yggs ölbera,
óðs skap-Móða,
hagsmið bragar.
Hvat er skald nema þat?
Hvat er skald nema þat?

[English translation:]

Troll they call me:
Moon-loony of Hrugnir
Sucker of giant's gold
Slayer of the storm-sun
Woe-worker of the seeress
Warden of death-fjord
Swallower of the sky-wheel
What's a Troll if not that?

Skald they call me:
The ship-smith of Odin
Recipient of Gautr's gift
Profligate poet
Ygg's ale-bearer
The mind-Moði of poetry
Skilled smith of verse
What's a Skald if not that?
What's a Skald if not that?