Found another translation to work from/with. Helpful, since the other had a few holes. ("Okay, that word seems to be that word... but where' that entire half-line?")
The original appears to have (sigh) feminine rhyme. I didn't even try. The ending notes are the same, so it's very, very easy to just make them one, longer syllable.
It's only the nine verses performed by Glittertind, that their fans have translated, not the entire 31-verse poem. (Any Norwegian speakers out there?)
Rather than work on it with the score in front of me, the smart way, I ran with the tune as I have it in my head. Is it how the tune actually goes? Did I lose half the eighth notes along the way? I will have to review this and see.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Six of my earls will stay at home to guard the rings of gold
The other six in heathen lands are swinging their iron cold
CHORUS
Ride they out from Frankish lands on horses finely saddled
Blow the horn, Oliver, at Ronsavollen (or Roncevaux, dealer's choice)
Raised they up their silken sails high upon the masts
Sailed they to the heathen lands before two weeks had passed
Oaken oars and anchors strongs touched the clean white sand
Then was Roland, king's own friend, first upon the land
Slaughtered they at Roncevaux for two days and for three
On Roland's sword the Moors did die; a scythe they could not flee
The sun in the sky was blotted out as Moors they spears did throw
A frightened fellow Frankish man asked Roland his horn to blow
He set the horn to his bloody mouth, the blast heard o'er the fray
Over mountains went the sounds; it was heard three days away
Charlemagne the mighty king cries with grief and woe:
"What has passed with my own dear friend that he sounded such a blow?"
Charlemagne the mighty king came to the heathen land
Dead lay Roland, king's own friend, his sword still in his hand
Buried at home were the mighty earls and many a tear was shed
Their ship was full of gems and gold and the heathens were left for dead
Comments