Astrid mi Astrid [English translation]

1. Astri! my Astri! your heart mine alone was,

in those old days of our joy and delight!

You always wept when our eventide flown was,

tho’ we did then meet each Saturday night.

Then ’twas my heart, Astri, you stole from me,

happier I was than princes can be.

2. Ah, you did Astri then love, and her only,

that was ere Svanaug you cared so to see;

I knew not then what it was to be lonely,

for ev’ry week you did hasten to me.

With no fine lady to change would I choose,

in those old days if I you must thus lose.

3. Henceforth, I’ll court Svanaug, good-hearted

she always seems, and so loving and kind;

it was her fine Long Harp playing first started

me to go see her, she not shall be mine.

I to die two deaths would not be afraid,

could I but please her, my gentle-eyed maid.

5. What if I Svanaug to leave should endeavor!

What if I put her quite out of my mind

and should come back to my Astri forever,

and you, my dearest, should once more be kind!

If I now promise to you to be true,

Astri, my Astri, what answer have you?

6. Milder than sunshine o’er mountaintops glowing,

Torgrim is ever and ever will be;

savage and cross as a troll you are growing,

falser than foam on the waters to me.

But, all the same, your true maiden am I,

only with you will I live and will die.