Brynhilds Lied [English translation]

Brynhild1 woke and looked around: "Who wielded the sharp sword that cut my chains?" "Sigurd,2 Sigmund's3 son, you should call me." "Listen Sigurd, who told you the way through the smoke and fire?" "It was two birds in the green forest: Brynhild is beautiful, she's waiting for you full of desire." Tenderly he encountered the lovely woman and Asla, Sigurd's daughter, was conceived. He laid twelve rings in her lap, "These are the bond of our love." This was Sigurd, Sigmund's son. Seven months he was in the virgin's quarters. Brynhild spoke: "You will become young again, your life will be over, you will take Gudrun, you will find no more pleasure in me." "That seems strange to me, such a thing will not happen, I will not abandon my love for you Brynhild." She followed him a long way and then wished him a pleasant journey: "Travel on, favoured by luck, you may achieve everything."

Sigurd rode on quite safely. Then he saw a fierce animal, it lashed out with claws. It spewed fire and poison, his life was now in danger. Sigurd sits on Grani's4 back, he doesn't think he can find the way; Grani bit and thrashed about, he could not find the way; Sigurd must ride to Juki's court. The evil animal disappeared, he saw Krimhild5sitting decorated with colourful ribbons. Outside Krimhild stands with many a man, she seized the horse by the reins. "Sigurd pause from your journey: I have a beautiful daughter, who would like to marry you. Gudrun, my daughter, is beautiful; wherever she goes lilies and roses glow from her chin." Frau Gudrun came out in a blue robe, her hair flowing on her shoulders. It was Krimhild, Juki's daughter, "Go to the cellar and mix wine and mead. Mix mead and wine and add the potion to make him forget." She added all the potion. Thus she brought him the drink and invited him to drink with her. He drank long from the horn. Sigurd lost all his memory and no one could bring about his recovery.

Gudrun also drank to the respected heroes; Sigurd thoughts turned to marrying Gudrun. Krimhild said to her daughter: "Go into your bedchamber and prepare it for your guest." Soon, their wedding was celebrated, Sigurd went up to the chamber, he found his way to Gudrun.

Brynhild spoke: "A tear will run down her cheek, Gudrun will have no pleasure in the brave warrior." It was early morning, the sun was just rising, they both went to the water, both women were beautiful. It was early morning, the sun reddening among the craggy mountains, both women were beautiful. Brynhild and Gudrun; one was joyful, the other sick for sorrow. Burdened with worry Brynhild went to sit in the hall. The zealous King Gunnar6 rode to visit her. Brynhild is sitting in the great hall with a heavy heart. Gunnar went into the hall with a sharp sword. "He shall suffer a hard death who has wronged you." Brynhild sits on a chair, she plays with a golden knife, "You will not return to my hall while Sigurd's alive." "Listen, powerful lover, you cause me great worry: how should Sigurd die, whom no sword can hurt?" "You give Sigurd salted food and with it nothing to drink, then go to ride in the hunt, and do not worry."

Brynhild stands in the hall, she looked right out, the famous Sigurd rode in first place. Brynhild sits in a golden chair and lets tears flow down both arms. They ride off into the woods, happy and without a care; they give Sigurd salted foods and nothing to drink. They drink from her horn, Sigurd's horn remained back in the house. They drink out of her horn, Sigurd craving to drink. They drink out of her horn, happy and without concern; Sigurd gets down out of his saddle. Sigurd lies down to take a drink, there where there was water in the well. Gunnar had the sword that bit into Sigurd's neck. Hogni stabbed and Gunnar cut, they took the life of Sigurd. Brynhild sits in a golden chair and lets tears flow down both her arms. Brynhild sits in a golden chair and lets tears flow down both her arms.

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brynhildr2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigurd3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigmund4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grani5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gudrun6. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunther