Lay of Volund Smith
| Wyndreth Berginsdottir |
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Three warmaids flew from Myrkvith north
Strike ye when the iron is glowing Three Valkyries in search of war So say those who know the forge Beside Wolf Lake they sought their rest-- Three fair maidens spinning flax Strongest is the hand that holds the hammer. CHORUS: Volund knew both gold and iron; fire and water and air and coal brought him fame and banishment cold, but strongest is the hand that holds the hammer! Egil, Slagfith and Volund-- Strike ye when the iron is glowing these brothers found them resting there. So say those who know the forge Hlathguth, Olrun and Hervor, their swancoats near them on the shore. Strongest is the hand that holds the hammer! Seven winters the warmaids stayed Strike ye when the iron is glowing but in great yearning spent the eighth. So say those who know the forge The ninth, could bear the peace no more-- they left their lovers in search of war. Strongest is the hand that holds the hammer! Egil went into the east-- Strike ye when the iron is glowing Slagfith, north--their wives to seek. So say those who know the forge Volund stayed in the Dales alone sure his love would come back home. Strongest is the hand that holds the hammer! With gold he rimmed the finest gems. Strike ye when the iron is glowing With ropes of bast he binded them. So say those who know the forge For Hervor Volund waited long, sure his love would come back home. Strongest is the hand that holds the hammer! Now, Nithoth was a mighty king, Strike ye when the iron is glowing as greedy for gold as for his queen. So say those who know the forge When he heard Volund dwelled alone they went to find him not at home. Strongest is the hand that holds the hammer! They found full seven hundred rings Strike ye when the iron is glowing bound with bast, all beautiful things. So say those who know the forge They stole away one single thing: Volund's wife's own wedding ring. Strongest is the hand that holds the hammer! When Volund returned from hunting bear Strike ye when the iron is glowing he noticed Hervor's ring not there. So say those who know the forge His heart leapt in its cage of bone in hopes his love had come back home. Strongest is the hand that holds the hammer! He waited so long he fell asleep Strike ye when the iron is glowing and woke with shackles on his feet. So say those who know the forge His hands were bound with ropes of bast. He said, "What man has bound me fast?" Strongest is the hand that holds the hammer! Nithoth answered, "Volund Smith, Strike ye when the iron is glowing I see your work and wonder this: So say those who know the forge Where did you find so much red gold? We both are far from Fafnir's Hoard." Strongest is the hand that holds the hammer! Strike ye when the iron is glowing "At home we had more treasure than this!" So say those who know the forge Nithoth's queen, both cruel and dire, said, "Hatred burns in him like fire!" Strongest is the hand that holds the hammer! Volund spied Hervor's wedding ring Strike ye when the iron is glowing on the hand of the daughter of the king, So say those who know the forge and saw his own sword girded on the hip of greedy King Nithoth. Strongest is the hand that holds the hammer. Nithoth's queen cried out in fear, Strike ye when the iron is glowing "How like a snake's Volund's eyes appear So say those who know the forge when they behold sweet Bothvild's ring and your new sword befitting a king!" Strongest is the hand that holds the hammer. "He'll work us woe," she further said, Strike ye when the iron is glowing "Unless you bind him forever, instead!" So say those who know the forge So they hamstrung Volund one by one till he could neither walk nor run. Strongest is the hand that holds the hammer. He could not work, but he could craft; Strike ye when the iron is glowing alone on an island, prisoned fast So say those who know the forge Volund crafted precious things, a smith in thrall to a heartless king. Strongest is the hand that holds the hammer. Strike ye when the iron is glowing "My fine and flashing sword is gone So say those who know the forge and Bothvild wears my true love's ring. I'll forge for Nithoth one last thing." Strongest is the hand that holds the hammer. He did not sleep, he did not eat; Strike ye when the iron is glowing he worked the forge on crippled feet So say those who know the forge till one day two new guests arrived-- Nithoth's sons both young and bright. Strongest is the hand that holds the hammer. They asked to see the treasures he made; Strike ye when the iron is glowing they begged to see the gold he made. So say those who know the forge "Come back tomorrow," did Volund say, "But tell no one you came to me!" Strongest is the hand that holds the hammer. The brothers came back the very next day Strike ye when the iron is glowing and no one knew they'd stolen away. So say those who know the forge "Show us the gold!" Volund grinned and hewed each son's head from him. Strongest is the hand that holds the hammer. Their bodies he buried beneath the pit Strike ye when the iron is glowing and both lads' skulls with silver he set. So say those who know the forge Of their eyes he made bright beads and sent them as gifts to the king and queen. Strongest is the hand that holds the hammer. Brooches made he of their teeth Strike ye when the iron is glowing and sent them on to proud Bothvild. So say those who know the forge She went to him to praise her ring and show him a break, a tiny thing. Strongest is the hand that holds the hammer. "I can fix it well as new-- Strike ye when the iron is glowing let me work this boon for you." So say those who know the forge And Volund served her potent drink till Bothvild fell down fast asleep. Strongest is the hand that holds the hammer. And when Volund had worked his will, Strike ye when the iron is glowing Bothvild woke and wept her fill. So say those who know the forge She hastened home in shame and woe, bewailing fate as she did go. Strongest is the hand that holds the hammer. "At last now near avenged am I!" Strike ye when the iron is glowing Volund forged wings that he might fly. So say those who know the forge Rose he up into the sky and left his thralldom far behind. Strongest is the hand that holds the hammer. Said woeful Nithoth to his queen, Strike ye when the iron is glowing "I wish that smith I'd never seen! So say those who know the forge I would ask him if he were here what of my missing sons so dear!" Strongest is the hand that holds the hammer. Strode Volund forth and did reply Strike ye when the iron is glowing "First me ye oath to honor my bride! So say those who know the forge Work her no harm; you know her well-- she dwelleth here within your hall." Strongest is the hand that holds the hammer. Nithoth and his queen agreed. Strike ye when the iron is glowing "Now tell me where my sons might be!" So say those who know the forge "They lie beneath the bellows pit. Their skulls with silver I did set!" Strongest is the hand that holds the hammer. "Of their eyes I made those beads Strike ye when the iron is glowing that lie around your neck, cold queen! So say those who know the forge Brooches made I of their teeth and sent them to your Bothvild sweet." Strongest is the hand that holds the hammer. "Bothvild dear, your daughter fair, Strike ye when the iron is glowing sits weeping in her dark despair So say those who know the forge for goes the maid now big with child-- Volund's son both strong and wild!" Strongest is the hand that holds the hammer. Laughing Volund rose aloft Strike ye when the iron is glowing and left to sorrow cruel Nithoth. So say those who know the forge "Your name will live in dark renown: A king whose greed outweighed his crown!" Strongest is the hand that holds the hammer. Volund knew both gold and iron; fire and water and air and coal brought him fame and banishment cold, but strongest is the hand that holds the hammer! lyrics: ©07-2006 Karen L. U. Kahan music: "Nornagest Ríma" (Faeroese folk tune) |
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