Translation of the song Vafþrúðnismál, Old Norse & Viking Chants to English

Óðinn kvað:

Othin spake:

1.

"Ráð þú mér nú, Frigg,

"Counsel me, Frigg,

alls mik fara tíðir

for I long to fare,

at vitja Vafþrúðnis;

And Vafthruthnir fain would find;

forvitni mikla

fit wisdom old

kveð ek mér á fornum stöfum

with the giant wise

við þann inn alsvinna jötun."

Myself would I seek to match."

Frigg kvað:

Frigg spake:

2.

"Heima letja

"Heerfather here

ek mynda Herjaföðr

at home would I keep,

í görðum goða;

Where the gods together dwell;

því at engi jötun

Amid all the giants

ek hugða jafnramman

an equal in might

sem Vafþrúðni vera."

To Vafthruthnir know I none."

Óðinn kvað:

Othin spake:

3.

"Fjölð ek fór,

"Much have I fared,

fjölð ek freistaða,

much have I found.

fjölð ek reynda regin;

Much have I got from the gods;

hitt vil ek vita,

And fain would I know

hvé Vafþrúðnis

how Vafthruthnir now

salakynni sé."

Lives in his lofty hall."

Frigg kvað:

Frigg spake:

4.

"Heill þú farir!

"Safe mayst thou go,

heill þú aftr komir!

safe come again,

heill þú á sinnum sér!

And safe be the way thou wendest!

æði þér dugi,

Father of men,

hvars þú skalt, Aldaföðr,

let thy mind be keen

orðum mæla jötun.

When speech with the giant thou seekest."

5.

Fór þá Óðinn

The wisdom then

at freista orðspeki

of the giant wise

þess ins alsvinna jötuns;

Forth did he fare to try;

at höllu hann kom,

He found the hall

ok átti Íms faðir;

of the father of Im,

inn gekk Yggr þegar.

And in forthwith went Ygg.

Óðinn kvað:

Othin spake:

6.

"Heill þú nú, Vafþrúðnir,

"Vafthruthnir, hail!

nú em ek í höll kominn

to thy hall am I come,

á þik sjalfan sjá;

For thyself I fain would see;

hitt vil ek fyrst vita,

And first would I ask

ef þú fróðr sér

if wise thou art,

eða alsviðr jötunn."

Or, giant, all wisdom hast won."

Vafþrúðnir kvað:

Vafthruthnir spake:

7.

"Hvat er þat manna

"Who is the man

er í mínum sal

that speaks to me,

verpumk orði á?

Here in my lofty hall?

Út þú né komir

Forth from our dwelling

órum höllum frá,

thou never shalt fare,

nema þú inn snotrari sér."

Unless wiser than I thou art."

Óðinn kvað:

Othin spake:

8.

"Gagnráðr ek heiti,

"Gagnrath they call me,

nú emk af göngu kominn,

and thirsty I come

þyrstr til þinna sala;

From a journey hard to thy hall;

laðar þurfi -

Welcome I look for,

hef ek lengi farit -

for long have I fared,

ok þinna andfanga, jötunn."

And gentle greeting, giant."

Vafþrúðnir kvað:

Vafthruthnir spake:

9.

"Hví þú þá, Gagnráðr,

"Why standest thou there

mælisk af golfi fyr?

on the floor whilst thou speakest?

Far þú í sess í sal!

A seat shalt thou have in my hall;

Þá skal freista,

Then soon shall we know

hvárr fleira viti,

whose knowledge is more,

gestr eða inn gamli þulr."

The guest's or the sage's gray."

Óðinn kvað:

Othin spake:

10.

"Óauðigr maðr,

"If a poor man reaches

er til auðigs kemr,

the home of the rich,

mæli þarft eða þegi;

Let him wisely speak or be still;

ofrmælgi mikil,

For to him who speaks

hygg ek, at illa geti

with the hard of heart

hveim er við kaldrifjaðan kemr."

Will chattering ever work ill."

Vafþrúðnir kvað:

Vafthruthnir spake:

11.

"Seg þú mér, Gagnráðr,

"Speak forth now, Gagnrath,

alls þú á golfi vill

if there from the floor

þíns of freista frama,

Thou wouldst thy wisdom make known:

hvé sá hestr heitir,

What name has the steed

er hverjan dregr

that each morn anew

dag of dróttmögu."

The day for mankind doth draw?"

Óðinn kvað:

Othin spake:

12.

"Skinfaxi heitir,

"Skinfaxi is he,

er inn skíra dregr

the steed who for men

dag of dróttmögu;

The glittering day doth draw;

hesta beztr

The best of horses

þykkir hann með Hreiðgotum;

to heroes he seems,

ey lýsir mön af mari."

And brightly his mane doth burn."

Vafþrúðnir kvað:

Vafthruthnir spake:

13.

"Seg þú þat, Gagnráðr,

"Speak forth now, Gagnrath,

alls þú á golfi vill

if there from the floor

þíns of freista frama,

Thou wouldst thy wisdom make known:

hvé sá jór heitir,

What name has the steed

er austan dregr

that from East anew

nótt of nýt regin."

Brings night for the noble gods?"

Óðinn kvað:

Othin spake:

14.

"Hrímfaxi heitir,

"Hrimfaxi name they

er hverja dregr

the steed that anew

nótt of nýt regin;

Brings night for the noble gods;

méldropa fellir hann

Each morning foam

morgin hvern;

from his bit there falls,

þaðan kemr dögg um dala."

And thence come the dews in the dales."

Vafþrúðnir kvað:

Vafthruthnir spake:

15.

Seg þú þat, Gagnráðr,

"Speak forth now, Gagnrath,

alls þú á golfi vill

if there from the floor

þíns of freista frama,

Thou wouldst thy wisdom make known:

hvé sú á heitir,

What name has the river

er deilir með jötna sonum

that 'twixt the realms

grund ok með goðum."

Of the gods and the giants goes?"

Óðinn kvað:

Othin spoke:

16.

"Ífing heitir á,

"Ifing is the river

er deilir með jötna sonum

that 'twixt the realms

grund ok með goðum;

Of the gods and the giants goes;

opin renna

For all time ever

hon skal of aldrdaga;

open it flows,

verðr-at íss á á."

No ice on the river there is."

Vafþrúðnir kvað:

Vafthruthnir spake:

17.

Seg þú þat, Gagnráðr,

"Speak forth now, Gagnrath,

alls þú á golfi vill

if there from the floor

þíns of freista frama,

Thou wouldst thy wisdom make known:

hvé sá völlr heitir,

What name has the field

er finnask vígi at

where in fight shall meet

Surtr ok in svásu goð."

Surt and the gracious gods?"

Óðinn kvað:

Othin spake:

18.

"Vígriðr heitir völlr,

"Vigrith is the field

er finnask vígi at

where in fight shall meet

Surtr ok in svásu goð;

Surt and the gracious gods;

hundrað rasta

A hundred miles

hann er á hverjan veg;

each way does it measure.

sá er þeim völlr vitaðr."

And so are its boundaries set."

Vafþrúðnir kvað:

Vafthruthnir spake:

19.

"Fróðr ertu nú, gestr,

"Wise art thou, guest!

far þú á bekk jötuns,

To my bench shalt thou go,

ok mælumk í sessi saman;

In our seats let us speak together;

höfði veðja

Here in the hall

vit skulum höllu í,

our heads, O guest,

gestr, of geðspeki.

Shall we wager our wisdom upon."

Óðinn kvað:

Othin spake:

20.

"Seg þú þat it eina,

"First answer me well,

ef þitt æði dugir

if thy wisdom avails,

ok þú, Vafþrúðnir, vitir,

And thou knowest it, Vafthruthnir, now:

hvaðan jörð of kom

In earliest time

eða upphiminn

whence came the earth,

fyrst, inn fróði jötunn."

Or the sky, thou giant sage?"

Vafþrúðnir kvað:

Vafthruthnir spake:

21.

"Ór Ymis holdi

"Out of Ymir's flesh

var jörð of sköpuð,

was fashioned the earth,

en ór beinum björg,

And the mountains were made of his bones;

himinn ór hausi

The sky from the frost-cold

ins hrímkalda jötuns,

giant's skull,

en ór sveita sær."

And the ocean out of his blood."

Óðinn kvað:

Othin spake:

22.

"Seg þú þat annat,

"Next answer me well,

ef þitt æði dugir

if thy wisdom avails,

ok þú, Vafþrúðnir, vitir,

And thou knowest it, Vafthruthnir, now:

hvaðan máni kom,

Whence came the moon,

sá er ferr menn yfir,

o'er the world of men

eða sól it sama."

That fares, and the flaming sun?"

Vafþrúðnir kvað:

Vafthruthnir spake:

23.

"Mundilfari heitir,

"Mundilferi is he

hann er mána faðir

who begat the moon,

ok svá Sólar it sama;

And fathered the flaming sun;

himin hverfa

The round of heaven

þau skulu hverjan dag

each day they run,

öldum at ártali."

To tell the time for men."

Óðinn kvað:

Othin spake:

24.

"Seg þú þat it þriðja,

"Third answer me well,

alls þik svinnan kveða

if wise thou art called,

ok þú, Vafþrúðnir, vitir,

If thou knowest it, Vafthruthnir, now:

hvaðan dagr of kom,

Whence came the day,

sá er ferr drótt yfir,

o'er mankind that fares,

eða nótt með niðum."

Or night with the narrowing moon?"

Vafþrúðnir kvað:

Vafthruthnir spake:

25.

"Dellingr heitir,

"The father of day

hann er Dags faðir,

is Delling called,

en Nótt var Nörvi borin;

And the night was begotten by Nor;

ný ok nið

Full moon and old

skópu nýt regin

by the gods were fashioned,

öldum at ártali."

To tell the time for men."

Óðinn kvað:

Othin spake:

26.

"Seg þú þat it fjórða,

"Fourth answer me well,

alls þik fróðan kveða,

if wise thou art called,

ok þú, Vafþrúðnir, vitir,

If thou knowest it, Vafthruthnir, now:

hvaðan vetr of kom

Whence did winter come,

eða varmt sumar

or the summer warm,

fyrst með fróð regin."

First with the gracious gods?"

Vafþrúðnir kvað:

Vafthruthnir spake:

27.

"Vindsvalr heitir,

"Vindsval he was

hann er Vetrar faðir,

who was winter's father,

en Svásuðr sumars."

And Svosuth summer begat;"

Óðinn kvað:

Othin spake:

28.

"Seg þú þat it fimmta,

"Fifth answer me well,

alls þik fróðan kveða,

if wise thou art called,

ok þú, Vafþrúðnir, vitir,

If thou knowest it, Vafthruthnir, now:

hverr ása ellztr

What giant first

eða Ymis niðja

was fashioned of old,

yrði í árdaga."

And the eldest of Ymir's kin?"

Vafþrúðnir kvað:

Vafthruthnir spake:

29.

"Örófi vetra

"Winters unmeasured

áðr væri jörð of sköpuð,

ere earth was made

þá var Bergelmir borinn,

Was the birth of Bergelmir;

Þrúðgelmir

Thruthgelmir's son

var þess faðir,

was the giant strong,

en Aurgelmir afi."

And Aurgelmir's grandson of old."

Óðinn kvað:

Othin spake:

30.

"Seg þú þat it sétta,

"Sixth answer me well,

alls þik svinnan kveða,

if wise thou art called,

ok þú, Vafþrúðnir, vitir,

If thou knowest it, Vafthruthnir, now:

hvaðan Aurgelmir kom

Whence did Aurgelmir come

með jötna sonum

with the giants' kin,

fyrst, inn fróði jötunn."

Long since, thou giant sage?"

Vafþrúðnir kvað:

Vafthruthnir spake:

31.

"Ór Élivágum

"Down from Elivagar

stukku eitrdropar,

did venom drop,

svá óx, unz varð jötunn;

And waxed till a giant it was;

þar eru órar ættir

And thence arose

komnar allar saman;

our giants' race,

því er þat æ allt til atalt."

And thus so fierce are we found."

Óðinn kvað:

Othin spake:

32.

"Seg þú þat it sjaunda,

"Seventh answer me well,

alls þik svinnan kveða,

if wise thou art called,

ok þú, Vafþrúðnir, vitir,

If thou knowest it, Vafthruthnir, now:

hvé sá börn gat,

How begat he children,

inn baldni jötunn,

the giant grim,

er hann hafði-t gýgjar gaman."

Who never a giantess knew?"

Vafþrúðnir kvað:

Vafthruthnir spake:

33.

"Undir hendi vaxa

"They say 'neath the arms

kváðu hrímþursi

of the giant of ice

mey ok mög saman;

Grew man-child and maid together;

fótr við fæti

And foot with foot

gat ins fróða jötuns

did the wise one fashion

sexhöfðaðan son."

A son that six heads bore."

Óðinn kvað:

Othin spake:

34.

"Seg þú þat it átta,

"Eighth answer me well,

alls þik svinnan kveða,

if wise thou art called,

ok þú, Vafþrúðnir, vitir,

If thou knowest it, Vafthruthnir, now:

hvat þú fyrst of mant

What farthest back

eða fremst of veizt,

dost thou bear in mind?

þú ert alsviðr, jötunn."

For wide is thy wisdom, giant!"

Vafþrúðnir kvað:

Vafthruthnir spake:

35.

Örófi vetra

"Winters unmeasured

áðr væri jörð of sköpuð,

ere earth was made

þá var Bergelmir borinn;

Was the birth of Bergelmir;

þat ek fyrst of man,

This first knew I well,

er sá inn fróði jötunn

when the giant wise

á var lúðr of lagiðr."

In a boat of old was borne."

Óðinn kvað:

Othin spake:

36.

"Seg þú þat it níunda,

"Ninth answer me well,

alls þik svinnan kveða,

if wise thou art called

ok þú, Vafþrúðnir, vitir,

If thou knowest it, Vafthruthnir, now:

hvaðan vindr of kemr,

Whence comes the wind

svá at ferr vág yfir;

that fares o'er the waves

æ menn han sjalfan of sjá."

Yet never itself is seen?"

Vafþrúðnir kvað:

Vafthruthnir spake:

37.

"Hræsvelgr heitir,

"In an eagle's guise

er sitr á himins enda,

at the end of heaven

jötunn í arnar ham;

Hræsvelg sits, they say;

af hans vængjum

And from his wings

kvæða vind koma

does the wind come forth

alla menn yfir."

To move o'er the world of men."

Óðinn kvað:

Othin spake:

38.

"Seg þú þat it tíunda,

"Tenth answer me now,

alls þú tíva rök

if thou knowest all

öll, Vafþrúðnir, vitir,

The fate that is fixed for the gods:

hvaðan Njörðr of kom

Whence came up Njorth

með ása sonum -

to the kin of the gods

hofum ok hörgum

Rich in temples

hann ræðr hundmörgum -

and shrines he rules,

ok varð-at hann ásum alinn."

Though of gods he was never begot?"

Vafþrúðnir kvað:

Vafthruthnir spake:

39.

"Í Vanaheimi

"In the home of the Wanes

skópu hann vís regin

did the wise ones create him,

ok seldu at gíslingu goðum,

And gave him as pledge to the gods;

í aldar rök

At the fall of the world

hann mun aftr koma

shall he fare once more

heim með vísum vönum."

Home to the Wanes so wise."

Óðinn kvað:

Othin spake:

40.

40. "Eleventh answer me well,

"Seg þú þat et ellifta,

if thou knowest all

hvar ýtar túnum í

The fate that is

höggvask hverjan dag;

fixed for the gods

val þeir kjósa

What men in Othin's home

ok ríða vígi frá,

Each day to fight go forth?"

sitja meir of sáttir saman."

Vafthruthnir spake:

Vafþrúðnir kvað:

41.

"The heroes all

"Allir einherjar

in Othin's hall

Óðins túnum í

Each day to fight go forth;

höggvask hverjan dag,

They fell each other,

val þeir kjósa

and fare from the fight

ok ríða vígi frá,

All healed full soon to sit."

sitja meirr of sáttir saman."

Othin spake:

Óðinn kvað:

42.

"Twelfth answer me now

"Seg þú þat it tolfta,

how all thou knowest

hví þú tíva rök

Of the fate that is fixed for the gods;

öll, Vafþrúðnir, vitir,

Of the runes of the gods

frá jötna rúnum

and the giants' race

ok allra goða

The truth indeed dost thou tell,

segir þú it sannasta,

And wide is thy wisdom, giant!"

inn alsvinni jötunn."

Vafthruthnir spake:

Vafþrúðnir kvað:

43.

"Of the runes of the gods

"Frá jötna rúnum

and the giants' race

ok allra goða

The truth indeed can I tell,

ek kann segja satt,

(For to every world have I won

því at hvern hef ek

To nine worlds came I,

heim of komit;

to Niflhel beneath,

níu kom ek heima

The home where dead men dwell."

fyr Niflhel neðan;

hinig deyja ór helju halir."

Othin spake:

Óðinn kvað:

44.

"Much have I fared,

44.

much have I found,

"Fjölð ek fór,

Much have I got of the gods:

fjölð ek freistaðak,

What shall live of mankind

fjölð ek of reynda regin:

when at last there comes

Hvat lifir manna,

The mighty winter to men?"

þá er inn mæra líðr

fimbulvetr með firum?"

Vafthruthnir spake:

Vafþrúðnir kvað:

45.

"In Hoddmimir's wood

45.

shall hide themselves

"Líf ok Lifþrasir,

Lif and Lifthrasir then;

en þau leynask munu

The morning dews

í holti Hoddmímis;

for meat shall they have,

morgindöggvar

Such food shall men then find."

þau sér at mat hafa,

en þaðan af aldir alask."

Othin spake:

Óðinn kvað:

46.

"Much have I fared,

46.

much have I found,

"Fjölð ek fór,

Much have I got of the gods:

fjölð ek freistaðak,

Whence comes the sun

fjölð ek of reynda regin:

to the smooth sky back,

Hvaðan kemr sól

When Fenrir has snatched it forth?"

á inn slétta himin,

er þessa hefr fenrir farit?"

Vafthruthnir spake:

Vafþrúðnir kvað:

47.

"A daughter bright

47.

Alfrothul bears

"Eina dóttur

Ere Fenrir snatches her forth;

berr alfröðull,

Her mother's paths

áðr hana fenrir fari;

shall the maiden tread

sú skal ríða,

When the gods to death have gone."

þá er regin deyja,

móður brautir, mær."

Othin spake:

Óðinn kvað:

48.

"Much have I fared,

48.

much have I found,

"Fjölð ek fór,

Much have I got of the gods:

fjölð ek freistaðak,

What maidens are they,

fjölð ek of reynda regin:

so wise of mind.

Hverjar ro þær meyjar,

That forth o'er the sea shall fare?"

er líða mar yfir,

fróðgeðjaðar fara?"

Vafthruthnir spake:

Vafþrúðnir kvað:

49.

"O'er Mogthrasir's hill

49.

shall the maidens pass,

"Þríar þjóðár

And three are their throngs that come;

falla þorp yfir

They all shall protect

meyja Mögþrasis;

the dwellers on earth,

hamingjur einar

Though they come of the giants' kin."

þær er í heimi eru,

þó þær með jötnum alask."

Othin spake:

Óðinn kvað:

50.

"Much have I fared,

50.

much have I found,

"Fjölð ek fór,

Much have I got of the gods:

fjölð ek freistaðak,

Who then shall rule

fjölð ek of reynda regin:

the realm of the gods,

Hverir ráða æsir

When the fires of Surt have sunk?"

eignum goða,

þá er sloknar Surta logi?"

Vafthruthnir spake:

Vafþrúðnir kvað:

51.

"In the gods' home Vithar

51.

and Vali shall dwell,

"Víðarr ok Váli

When the fires of Surt have sunk;

byggja vé goða,

Mothi and Magni

þá er sloknar Surta logi,

shall Mjollnir have

Móði ok Magni

When Vingnir falls in fight."

skulu Mjöllni hafa

Vingnis at vígþroti."

Othin spake:

Óðinn kvað:

52.

"Much have I fared,

52.

much have I found,

"Fjölð ek fór,

Much have I got of the gods:

fjölð ek freistaðak,

What shall bring the doom

fjölð ek of reynda regin;

of death to Othin,

Hvat verðr Óðni

When the gods to destruction go?"

at aldrlagi,

þá er of rjúfask regin?"

Vafthruthnir spake:

Vafþrúðnir kvað:

55.

"The wolf shall fell

53.

the father of men,

"Ulfr gleypa

And this shall Vithar avenge;

mun Aldaföðr,

The terrible jaws

þess mun Víðarr vreka;

shall he tear apart,

kalda kjafta

And so the wolf shall he slay."

hann klyfja mun

vitnis vígi at."

Othin spake:

Óðinn kvað:

55.

"Much have I fared,

54.

much have I found,

"Fjölð ek fór,

Much have I got from the gods:

fjölð ek freistaðak,

What spake Othin himself

fjölð ek of reynda regin;

in the ears of his son,

Hvat mælti Óðinn,

Ere in the bale-fire he burned?"

áðr á bál stigi,

sjalfr í eyra syni?"

Vafthruthnir spake:

Vafþrúðnir kvað:

55.

"No man can tell

55.

what in olden time

"Ey manni þat veit,

Thou spak'st in the ears of thy son;

hvat þú í árdaga

With fated mouth

sagðir í eyra syni;

the fall of the gods

feigum munni

And mine olden tales have I told;

mælta ek mína forna stafi

With Othin in knowledge

ok of ragnarök.

now have I striven,

Nú ek við Óðin

And ever the wiser thou art."

deildak mína orðspeki;

þú ert æ vísastr vera."

Vafþrúðnismál

The Ballad of Vafthruthnir

Songs of the band Old Norse & Viking Chants with translation to English: