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The sorrow of Gudrun
Translations © by Philip Schäfer
by Peter Arnold Heise (1830 - 1879)
View original-language texts alone: Gudruns Sorg: Sange til text af Den ældre Edda
1. Dengang var Gudron beredt til Døden
Language: Danish (Dansk)
Dengang var Gudrun beredt til Døden, da sorgful hun sad over Sigurds Lig. Ej sad hun og græd og med Hænder slog; ej hun klynked som andre Kvinder. Kloge Jarler til hende kom, varligt de bøjed den haarde Vilje. Dog kunde Gudrun ikke græde; saa hun sørged, som om briste hun skulde.
Text Authorship:
Based on:
- a text in Old Norse (Fornnorræna) by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist [text unavailable]
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1. Once Gudrun was ready for death
Language: English
Once Gudrun was ready for death, Full of anguish she sat by Sigurd's corpse, She sat still and did not sob And did not clap with her hands; She did not cry like other women do. Wise earls came to her, Carefully they sought to alleviate the sorrow. But Gudrun did not know a tear; That much she was grieved As if she was to shatter.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from Danish (Dansk) to English copyright © 2004 by Philip Schäfer, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.
Philip Schäfer. Contact: schaeferp (AT) freenet (DOT) de
If you wish to commission a new translation, please contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in Danish (Dansk) by Hans Georg Møller
Based on:
- a text in Old Norse (Fornnorræna) by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist [text unavailable]
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2004-05-03
Line count: 10
Word count: 66
Translation © by Philip Schäfer
2. Hos sad Jarlers ædle Hustruer
Language: Danish (Dansk)
Hos sad Jarlers ædle Hustruer, smykkede med Guld, ved Gudruns Side. Hver af dem sagde sin egen Sorg, den bittreste, som hun baaret havde. Da sagde Gjavløg, Gjukes Søster: "Blandt Folk over Mulde er jeg fattigst paa Glæde. Fem Mænd jeg saae i Døden segne, tvende Døttre, trende Søstre, otte Brødre. Jeg ene lever!" Dog kunde Gudrun ikke græde; saa mod var hun i Hu over den døde Mand, saa fuld af Smerte ved Fyrstens Ligfærd.
Text Authorship:
Based on:
- a text in Old Norse (Fornnorræna) by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist [text unavailable]
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2. The earl's noble wives came
Language: English
The earl's noble wives came, Adorned with Gold, To Gudrun's side. Each of them spoke about her own sorrow, The most bitter they had ever experienced. Thus said Gjaflaug, the sister of Gjuke: "Among all people on earth I am the most miserable and joyless. Five men I saw sink into death, And two daughters, three sisters, eight brothers. Only I am still alive!" But Gudrun did not know a tear; Her mind was so grieved over her husband's death, So full of grief About the prince's dead body.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from Danish (Dansk) to English copyright © 2004 by Philip Schäfer, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.
Philip Schäfer. Contact: schaeferp (AT) freenet (DOT) de
If you wish to commission a new translation, please contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in Danish (Dansk) by Hans Georg Møller
Based on:
- a text in Old Norse (Fornnorræna) by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist [text unavailable]
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2023-10-01
Line count: 15
Word count: 89
Translation © by Philip Schäfer
3. Da sagde Herborg
Language: Danish (Dansk)
Da sagde Herborg, Hunelands Dronning: "Jeg har en haardere Harm at fortælle. Fjernt i Sønden mine syv Sønner faldt paa Val med deres Fader. Med Fader og Moder og fire Brødre leged Vinden paa Havets Vove; Bølgen slog mod Skibets Planker. Selv skulde jeg dem smykke, selv dem begrave, og selv for deres Helfart sørge. Alt det jeg led i et eneste Aar, og Ingen talte et Ord til Trøst." Dog kunde Gudrun ikke græde; saa mod var hun i Hu over den døde Mand, saa fuld af Smerte ved Fyrstens Ligfærd.
Text Authorship:
Based on:
- a text in Old Norse (Fornnorræna) by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist [text unavailable]
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3. Thus said Herborg, queen of Huneland
Language: English
Thus said Herborg, queen of Huneland: "I have still much harder sorrow to tell. Far in the South my seven sons Died in the battlefield with their father. My father and my mother and my four brothers Fell victim to the wind on the waves of the water; The breakers stroke against the ship's planks. I had to adorn him myself, To bury him myself, And to mourn for my kin myself. This all I sustained in a summer, And no one spoke a word of comfort to me." But Gudrun did not know a tear; Her mind was so grieved over her husband's death, So full of grief About the prince's dead body.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from Danish (Dansk) to English copyright © 2004 by Philip Schäfer, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.
Philip Schäfer. Contact: schaeferp (AT) freenet (DOT) de
If you wish to commission a new translation, please contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in Danish (Dansk) by Hans Georg Møller
Based on:
- a text in Old Norse (Fornnorræna) by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist [text unavailable]
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2023-10-01
Line count: 17
Word count: 114
Translation © by Philip Schäfer
4. Da sagde Gullrønd, Gjukes Datter
Language: Danish (Dansk)
Da sagde Gullrønd, Gjukes Datter: "Ej du mægter, Foster moder! skøndt vis du er, den unge Viv at trøste!" Ej lod hun til hylle Fyrstens Lig. Lagnet strøg hun af Sigurds Legem, vendte hans Kind mod Gudruns Knæ: "See paa din Elskte; læg din Mund til hans Skjæg, som om du favnede Fyrsten i Live."
Text Authorship:
Based on:
- a text in Old Norse (Fornnorræna) by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist [text unavailable]
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4. Thus said Gullrønd, the daughter of Gjuke
Language: English
Thus said Gullrønd, the daughter of Gjuke: "You are unable, foster mother! Although you certainly Wanted to comfort the young girl." She had the body of the prince unveiled, From the rapier she drew back the blanket, Shoved the cushion in front of Gudrun's knee: "Look at your beloved; Rest your mouth on his neck, As if you were embracing The living prince."
Text Authorship:
- Translation from Danish (Dansk) to English copyright © 2004 by Philip Schäfer, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.
Philip Schäfer. Contact: schaeferp (AT) freenet (DOT) de
If you wish to commission a new translation, please contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in Danish (Dansk) by Hans Georg Møller
Based on:
- a text in Old Norse (Fornnorræna) by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist [text unavailable]
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2023-10-01
Line count: 11
Word count: 63
Translation © by Philip Schäfer
5. Engang Gudrun end ham skued
Language: Danish (Dansk)
Engang Gudrun end ham skued, saae Blodet, som Herskerens Haar mon væde, Fyrstens straalende Øjne slukte, Kongens Bryst af Sværdet kløvet, Gudrun tilbage paa Bolstret segned, Lokkerne løstes, Kinden rødmed, Taarer som Regn randt over Knæ. Da græd Gudrun, Gjukes Datter, saa Taarerne løb fra Øjets Laag. Da sagde Gudrun, Gjukes Datter:
Text Authorship:
Based on:
- a text in Old Norse (Fornnorræna) by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist [text unavailable]
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5. All at once Gudrun looked up
Language: English
All at once Gudrun looked up, Saw blood covering the knight's hair, The prince's bright eyes had faded, The king's breast was pierced by the sword, Gudrun sank back into the cushion, Her curls came undone, her cheeks reddened, A flood of tears ran onto her knee, She cried, Gudrun, Gjuke's daughter, So many tears covered her eyes. Then Gudrun, Gjuke's daughter, said:
Text Authorship:
- Translation from Danish (Dansk) to English copyright © 2004 by Philip Schäfer, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.
Philip Schäfer. Contact: schaeferp (AT) freenet (DOT) de
If you wish to commission a new translation, please contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in Danish (Dansk) by Hans Georg Møller
Based on:
- a text in Old Norse (Fornnorræna) by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist [text unavailable]
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2023-10-01
Line count: 10
Word count: 63
Translation © by Philip Schäfer
6. Saa var min Sigurd
Language: Danish (Dansk)
"Saa var min Sigurd blandt Gjukes Sønner som Løget, der groer op over Græsset, eller den blinkende Sten, der drages paa Baand, som Ædelsten over Ædlinges Skare. Jeg monne Kongens Kæmper tykkes herligere end alle Herjans Diser. Nu er jeg saa liden, som Løvet er paa Buskene ofte, thi den Ædle er død. For Borde jeg savner, i Seng jeg savner min fuldtro Fælle. Gjukes Sønner, volde min Ve, volde deres Søsters sorgfulde Graad. Folkets Land I læge øde, thi ej I holdt de svorne Eder. Ej skal du, Gunnar! Guldet nyde; Ringene vil dig Bane volde, siden du Sigurd Eder svor. Ofte var Glæden større i Gaarde, da min Sigurd sadlede Grane og da de fore til Brynhild at frie, den usalige Kvind i Ulykkes stund."
Text Authorship:
Based on:
- a text in Old Norse (Fornnorræna) by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist [text unavailable]
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6. So was my Sigurd
Language: English
"So was my Sigurd Amongst the sons of Gjuke like leek Growing in the grass, Like a gleaming stone, Studded in the band, A precious stone among a precious throng. Methought The king's fighters liked me Still more than Herjan's girls. Now I am much bowed down, Like the leaves of a weeping willow, For my precious is dead. At the table I miss him, In bed I miss him, my familiar fellow. The sons of Gjuke Wanted my sorrow, Wanted their sister's woeful weeping. May the people leave your land deserted, As you took your sworn oaths. You must not, Gunnar! Reign over the gold; May the ring guide you, You swore an oath to Sigurd on this. Often the yard was full of joy, When my Sigurd went to saddle Grane And rode away to wed Brynhild, That ill-fated woman at an unfortunate time."
Text Authorship:
- Translation from Danish (Dansk) to English copyright © 2004 by Philip Schäfer, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.
Philip Schäfer. Contact: schaeferp (AT) freenet (DOT) de
If you wish to commission a new translation, please contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in Danish (Dansk) by Hans Georg Møller
Based on:
- a text in Old Norse (Fornnorræna) by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist [text unavailable]
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2023-10-02
Line count: 27
Word count: 146
Translation © by Philip Schäfer