~ By Courtesy of Others ~
Yule Memories
Yuletide roaring swift around us
Swifter than a streaming river
Swifter than the wind in torment
Swifter than the hounds of Alfheim
Let us drink with friends this long day
Drink and toast the past behind us
Drink to those we’ve lost this twelvemonth
Drink to days of hope a-coming
At the table is my woman
Long of hair and fair of feature
Long of joyful laughter ringing
Long her memories and wisdom
Let us eat and feast on viands
From the corners of the steading
From the branches of the Worldtree
From the places few have ridden
Sit beside good friends and talk then
Of the times since last Yule’s meeting
Of the places we have travelled
Of the skraelings we have seen there
Let us tell the ancient sagas
Singing songs of love and battle
Singing songs of blood and conflict
Singing songs of spears and conquest
Pass the horn of red wine dripping
Here’s to all who would fight for me!
Here’s to all who would run from me!
Here’s to all who would be with me!
Drink my kin and praise the fire
Keeping us from cold and darkness
Keeping out the ice-born demons
Keeping in the joys of friendship
Kiss the greening boughs above us
Sweet now are the lips of Frigga
Sweeter than the beehive honey
Sweeter than the fallen apples
Yuletide roaring swift around us
Swifter than a streaming river
Swifter than the wind in torment
Swifter than the hounds of Alfheim
© Alan Hodgson
Image: © Hannah Nilsson