Danish to English Translation:
Vices and needs:
Music: Frederiksen, lyrics: Atkin (Read the original text by Aktin here)
Translation to Danish (As seen in the booklet): Frederiksen
My woman was a pretty little maid
As fine as could be wished for
Raven-dark eyes and soft breath
And moon-pale skin has she
Beauty is her temperament’s hard measure
Which first she kept concealed
Her will grew like an iron-hard grip
That after the wedding followed
Hey! Hey! The battle is my call
Three ells high to the shoulder
She will never curb my drinking
No matter how often I get put out on the threshold
With the sun in the east I stumble home
A score of beers warmed the heart
But rather would I suffer a hundred swords
Than her sharp anger
Girls and whores I take with pleasure
When the barrel’s content flows
If I’m soon disclosed, which I surely will be
In the snow I will rest
In peace!
In war!
By heathen lore the oath is pledged
By sail!
By oar!
On wave-crest, on salt shore
Not drink!
Not whore!
Could still my heart for ever
By axe!
By sword!
The women are worth the fight
Hey! Hey! The battle is my call
Three ells high to my shoulder
She will never curb my whoring
No matter how often I get put out on the threshold
To feasting we go, weapon-bearing men
In the hour of victory
Where the mead flows and the concubines go
And tempt with lap and with mouth
If I told her she wouldn’t understand
That I like most in our land
Have my vices and my needs
My crime – to be a mortal man
Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!
Hey! Hey! The battle is my call
Three ells high to the shoulder
She will never curb my drinking
No matter how often I get put out on the threshold
