~ By Courtesy of Others ~
(Note: The original Anglo-Saxon poem, untitled and anonymous, recounts the death of Byhrtnoth, Ealdorman (count) of Essex, in the Battle of Maldon 991 between him and a Viking host that demanded Danegeld of him, which he refused to pay.)
At the Battle of Maldon
Here must we hold So hearken to my counsel
Felled is our lord Slain by foemen on the field
Now we must honor The oaths we made in mead-hall
Now we must shoulder The burden of his shield
Great were his gifts Of gold and noble gemstones
High were the halls Where the heroes boasted so
He was our lord and Loathe am I to leave him
Vow to avenge him By vanquishing the foe
Refrain:
For our hands shall be the harder, and our will shall be the wiser
And our hearts shall be bolder as our strength must end
Come and follow me to glory, so that when they tell the story
We shall not be forgotten in the halls of men
I will not flee,
But farther will I follow
Boldly to battle With broadsword in my hand
More than my life Was the love I bore for Bryhtnoth
Fierce will I fight now And so defend this land
Come I from kindred Of honor and of courage
Ne'er shall they say That I nithing was at war
Stand with me steadfast Staunch against the Vikings
Wield ye your weapons Like warriors of yore
Refrain
We stand undaunted The last of the defenders
Stout-hearted men Who can strike a mighty blow
We will encourage Each other in the war-play
Let them advance now For we shall lay them low
Death is our doom But let us die with honor
All that lives after Is what the bards do say
Fight to be worthy Of fame in the future
Let them remember The deeds we do today
Refrain, Repeat last line
© Lady Rosalind Jehanne, SCA