Rolandskvadet [English translation]

Six of my earls were at home, guarded the shining gold

another six in heathen lands brandished the iron cold

- They rode out of the Frankish land on saddled beasts

blew in the horn Olivant at Roncesvalles

They ran up their silken sail high on the mast

sailed out to th heathens' land in one and two wooden ships

The oars and anchor bit into the white sand

it was Roland, the king's man, stepped through the foam on land

They battled at Ronvesvalles for two days and three

the blue-men fell before Roland's sword that behaved like a scythe

Forward thrusted the blue-men's spears, blotted out the sun

one comrade became afraid, asked Roland to blow his horn

Roland set the horn to his bloodied mouth, blew it with wrath

The sound bore over sea and mountain as far as three days' travel

There was Charlemagne King, began to cry:

what might my kinsman be in want of? I hear the horn sounding!

There was Charlemagne King, hurried to his man:

dead lay Roland, king's man, held his sword in hand

Home came Charlemagne King, buried them all unwillingly

The ship was full of silver and gold

and the heathens lay in death.

• Artist:Glittertind