The Ballad of Hildina (Foula)
The ballad was recorded
by the Scottish clergyman George Low on his voyage to Foula in the early 1770s.
Low had no knowledge of Norn whatsoever, so his "by-ear" transcript of the song is hardly phonetically precise. This prompted the Norwegian linguist Marius Hægstad to elaborate on Low's text attempting to reconstruct its Norn original. The outcome was published in Hægstad's brochure "Hildinakvadet, med utgreidung um det norske maal paa Shetland i eldre tid" (1900). Both Low's and Hægstad's versions of the ballad are included below. We also offer our translation of the song into Old Norse (translation of the stanzas 1-4 has in fact
been copied with some minor changes from William Burley Lockwood's book "Languages of the British Isles past and present" (1975)). The Old Norse translation follows Hægstad's version and is mostly based on the vocabulary given in his paper with a few corrections and additions of ours. The English translation is borrowed from the
Foula Heritage
website (stanzas 1-12) and from the
Hildinakvadet website
(stanzas from 13 onwards and the notes). See also the
vocabulary to
the song at the latter resource and a separate chapter on the
language of the Ballad of Hildina.
¹ |
George Low’s version |
Marius Hægstad’s correction |
Translation into Old Norse |
Translation into English |
1 | Da vara
Jarlin d'Orkneyar For frinda sǐn spur de ro Whirdi an skildè meun Our glas buryon burtaga. |
Da vara
Iarlin o Orkneyar for frinda sĭn spirde ro, whirdì an skildè meun or vannaro eidnar fuo – Or glasburyon burtaga. |
Þat var
jarlinn af [ór] Orkneyjum fyrir frænda sínum spurði ráð(a) hvort hann skyldi meyna ór vandaráði hennar fá - ór glasborginni burt taka? |
It was
the Earl from Orkney, And counsel of his kin sought he, Whether he should the maiden Free from her misery. |
2 | Or
vanna ro eidnar fuo Tega du meun our glas buryon Kere friendè min yamna men Eso vrildan stiendi gede min vara to din. |
“Tega
du meun our glasburyon, kere friendè min, yamna meun eso vrildan stiendi, gede min vara to din.” |
“Tekr
þú meyna ór glasborginni kæri frændi minn jafnan meðan þessi verǫldin stendr getit mun vera til þín.” |
"If
thou free the maid from her gleaming hall, O kinsman dear of mine, Ever while the world shall last Thy glory still shall shine." |
3 | Yom
keimir cullingin Fro liene burt Asta Vaar hon fruen Hildina Hemi stu mer stien. |
Yom
keimir eullingin fro liene; burt asta vaar hon fruen Hildina, hemi stu-mer stien. |
Heim
kemr ǫðlingrinn frá leiðinni burt af stað var hon frúin Hildina heima stjúpmóðir stendr. |
Home
came the king, Home from the ship's levy The lady Hildina she was gone, And only her stepmother there found he. |
Verse(s) missing? The story ‘moves’ from the Earl of Orkney, to the King of Norway |
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4 | Whar an
yaar elonden Ita kan sadnast wo An scal vara kundè Wo osta tre sin reithin ridna dar fro |
“Whar
an yaar e londen ita kan sadnast wo, an scal vara heindè wo osta tre, sin reithin rìdna darfro”. |
“Hvar
hann er í lǫndum þetta kann sannast á hann skal vera hengdr á hœsta tré(t) sem rótum rennr þar frá.” |
"Be he
in whatever land, This will I prove true, He shall be hanged from the highest tree That ever upward grew." |
5 | Kemi to
Orkneyar Jarlin Vilda mien sante Maunis I Orknian u bian sian I lian far diar. |
“Kemi
to Orkneyar Iarlin, sante Maunis vilda mien, i Orknian u bian sian, i lian far di an”. |
“Komi
til Orkneyja jarlinn sankti Magnús valda mun, í Orkneyjum æ biðr hann síðan, í leiðina far þú enn”. |
"If the
Earl but come to Orkney, Saint Magnus will be his aid, And in Orkney ever he will remain— Haste after him with speed." |
6 | An gevè
Drotnign kedn puster On de kin firsane furu Tworare wo eder Whitranè kidn. |
An gevè
Drotnign kednpuster onde kin; fir sane furu tworone wo edner whitranè kidn. |
Hann
gefr drottningrinn kinnpúst undir kinn; fyrir sǫnnu fóru tárin(i) á hennar hvítrandi [hvít(a)ri] kinn. |
The
King he stood before his lady, And a box on her ear gave he,— And all adown her lily white cheeks The tears did flow truly. |
Verse(s) missing? The story ‘jumps’ from Norway to Orkney |
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7 | In
kimerin Jarlin U klapasse Hildina On de kidn quirto Vult doch, fiegan vara moch or fly din. |
In
kimer in Iarlin u klapa se Hildina onde kidn; “Quirto vult doch fiegan vara moch or fy din?” |
Inn
kemr enn jarlinn Ok klappar svá Hildinu undir kinn; “Hvort vilt þú feigan vera mig eðr fǫðr þinn?” |
The
Earl he stood before Hildina, And a pat on her cheek gave he,— "O which of us two wouldst thou have lie dead, Thy father dear of me? |
8 | Elde
vilda fiegan vara Fy min u alt sin Ans namnu wo So minyach u ere min heve Orkneyar kingè ro. |
“Elde
vild-a fiegan vara fy min u alt sin ans namn u wo; so min yach u ere min heve Orkneyar lingè ro. |
“Heldr
vilda ek feigan vera fǫðr minn ok allt sem hans nafn er á; Svá mun ek ok herra minn hæfi Orkneyjum lengi ráða. |
"I
would rather see my father doomed, And all his company, If so my own true lord and I May long rule in Orkney. |
9 | Nu di
skall taga dor yochwo And u ria dor to strandane nir U yilsa fy minu avon Blit an ear ne cumi i dora band. |
Nu di
skall taga dor yoch wo and u ria dor nir to strandane u yilsa fy minu avon blit; an earni cumi i dora band. |
Nú þú
skalt taka þér eyk [hest] á hǫnd ok ríða þér niðr til strandarinnar og heilsa fǫðr mínum afandi blítt; hann gjarna kœmi [komi?] í ykkar band. |
"Now do
thou take in hand thy steed, And ride thou down to the strand; And do thou greet my sire full blithely, And gladly will he clasp thy hand." |
Verse(s) missing The story ‘jumps’ into the conversation between the Earl and the King. |
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10 | Nu
Swaran Konign So mege gak honon i muthi Whath ear di ho gane mier I daute buthe. |
No
swara an Konign - so mege gak honon i muthi -: “Whar ear di ho gave mier i daute-buthe?” |
Nú
svarar hann konungr - svá mikit gekk honum í móti -: “Hvar gjarna eigar [átt] þú at gefa mér í dóttr-bœtr?” |
The
King he now made answer— So sore displeased was he— "In payment for my daughter What will thou give to me." |
11 | Trettì
merkè vath ru godle Da skall yach ger yo U all de vara sonna less So linge sin yach liva mo. |
“Tretti
merkè vath ru godle, da skall yach ger yo u allde vara sonnaless, so linge sin yach liva mo”. |
“Þrjátíu merkr við [með] rauðu gulli, Þá skal ek þér ljá ok aldrig vera sonalauss svá lengi sem ek lifa má. |
"Thirty
marks of the red gold, This to thee will I give, And never shalt thou lack a son As long as I may live." |
12 | Nu
linge stug an konign U linge wo a swo Wordig vaar dogh mugè sonè Yacha skier fare moga so minde yach angan u frien Rost wath comman mier to landa. |
Nu
linge stug an Konign, u linge wo an swo: “Wordig vaar dogh mugè sonè; yach askier fare moga so. |
Nú
lengi stóð konungrinn ok lengi á hann sá: “Verðigr verð þú múga sona ek œski fara megi svá. |
Now
long stood the King, And long on the Earl gazed he:— "O thou art worth a host of sons; Thy boon is granted thee." |
Verse(s)/line(s) missing Now ‘Hiluge’ (the Earls rival) joines the conversation. |
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12b |
------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- “so minde yach angan ufrien rost, wath com an mier to landa”. |
------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- “so myndi ek engan ófrænda hræðast at kom hann mér til landa. |
(---Now
‘Hiluge’ (the Earls rival) joines the conversation.---) so need I not fear any enemy who might come to this land. |
|
13 | Nu
swara Hiluge Hera geve honon scam Taga di gild firre Hildina Sin yach skall liga dor fram. |
Nu
swara Hiluge - hera geve honon scam -: “Taga di gild firre Hildina sin yach skall lega dor fram: |
Ni
svarar Hiluge - herra gef honum skǫmm -: “Tekr þú gjald fyrir Hildina sem ek skal leggja þér fram: |
Now Hiluge answers ‘Sir, thou shouldst inflict injury on him’ Now thee canst accept a fitting dowry for Hildina, that I shall bring forth: |
14 | Estin
whaar u feur fetign Agonga kadn i sluge Feur fetign sin gonga Kadn i pluge. |
Estin
whaar u feur-fetign a gonga kadn i sluge, - estin whaar u feur-fetign sin gonga kadn i pluge. |
Hestinn
hvern ok fjórfœtinginn eð ganga kann í slóða, - hestinn hvern ok fjórfœtinginn sem ganga kann í plógi. |
Every horse and ‘four-footed’ that can follow a path, every horse and ‘four-footed’ that can pull a plough’. |
15 | Nu stienderin
Jarlin. U linge wo an wo Dese mo eke Orknear So linge san yach lava mo. |
Nu stiender in
Iarlin u linge wo an swo: “Dese mo eki Orknear, so linge san yach lava mo”. |
Nú stendr hann
jarlinn ok lengi á hann sá: “Þess má ekki Orkneyjar, so lengi sem ek lifa má”. |
Now the Earl he stood for a
long time, and gazed at him, ‘This can Orkney not be equal to as long as I may live’. |
The Earl addressing Lady Hildina | ||||
16 | Nu eke tegaran san Sot Koningn fyrin din U alt yach an Hilhugin Widn ugare din arar. |
“Nu eke tegar an san
sot, Koningn fyrin din; u alt yach an Hilhugin u garedin arar widn.” |
“Nú ekki tekr hann
sanna [sådan?] sátt konungrinn fyrir þín [þig]; og allt ek hann Hilhugin á gerðinni annarri vinn. |
‘Now he’s not willing to make a deal
with me, the King your father; and instead I think that Hilhugin by another decision will win. |
17 | Nu swarar an frauna
Hildina U dem san idne i fro Di slo dor a bardagana Dar comme ov sin mo. |
Nu swarar an frauna
Hildina u dern san idne i fro: “Di slo dor a bardagana, Dar comme ov sin mo!” |
Nú svarar hon frúin
Hildina ór dur(un)um sínum inni í frá: “Þú slær þér á bardaganum [-ana?], Þar komi af sem má!” |
Now the Lady Hildina answers from inside the house; ‘Someone will die if you fight, that will happen for sure’. |
Verse(s) missing? The scene switches to the ‘duelling ground’ |
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18 | Nu Jarlin an genger I vadlin fram U kadnar sina mien Geven skeger i Orkneyan. |
Nu Iarlin an genger
i vadlin fram u kadnar sìna mien, gever skeger i Orkneyan ----------------------------------------------- |
Nú jarlinn hann
gengr í vǫllinn fram ok kallar sína menn, gæfir skeggjar í Orkneyjum ----------------------------------------------- |
Now the Earl steps forward onto the
duelling ground and adresses his men: ‘brave islanders of Orkney ----------------------------------------------- |
19 | Han u cummin In u vod lerdin Fronde fans lever Vel burne mun. |
“Han u cummin in u vodler din; frinde hans lever velburne mien.” |
“Hann er kominn inn á vǫll þinn frændi hans hleypir velborna menn [velbornum mǫnnum] |
He has come onto the duelling ground; his friend follows the men of royal lineage’. |
20 | Nu fruna Hildina On genger i vadlin fram Fy di yera da ov man dum Dora di spidlaikì mire man. |
Nu fruna Hildina on genger i vadlin fram: “Fy di yera da ov mandum dora, di spidla ikì mire man”. |
Nú frúin Hildina Hon gengr í vǫllinn fram: “Faðir þú gerir þá af manndóm ykkar, þú spillir ekki meira mann[i]. |
Now the lady Hildina, she steps forward onto the duelling ground, ‘father thou overdost thy manhood don’t let a brave man die’. |
21 | Nu sware an Hiluge Crego gevan a scam Gayer an Jarlin frinde Din an u fadlin in. |
Nu sware an Hiluge - erego gev ana scam -: “Yayer an Iarlin frinde din an u fadlin in”. |
Nú svarar hann
Hiluge - herra guð gefr honum skǫmm -: “Þegar hann jarlinn frændi þinn hann er fallinn enn. |
But Hiluge he answers: ‘May God inflict injury on him’ ‘then the Earl your friend will surely be dead. |
22 | Nu fac an Jarlin
dahuge Dar min de an engine gro An east ans huge ei Fong ednar u vaxhedne more neo. |
Nu fac an Iarlin
dahuge - dar minde an engin gro -. An cast ans huge ei fong ednar, u vaks hedne mere meo. |
Nú fekk hann jarlinn
dauðahøggit - þar myndi hann engan grœða -. Hann kastaði hans hǫfði í fang hennar, ok óx henni meiri móðr. |
Now the Earl received a deadly cut,
no one there could heal him Hilunge threw his head into Hildina's lap; thus added to her grief. |
Verse(s) missing? The Earl is now dead. Hiluge talks to the King: |
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23 | Di lava mir gugna Yift bal yagh fur o lande Gipt mir nu fruan Hildina Vath godle u fasta bande. |
“Di lava mir yugna, yift bal yagh fur o landi; gipt mir nu fruan Hildina vath godle u fasta bande.” |
“Þú lofar mér
gagna [eigna, unga?], ef baldr ek fór af [ór] landi; gipt mér nú frúna Hildina við [með] gulli ok fǫstu bandi”. |
You promised me marriage
if I boldly voyaged from our land Now let me marry Hildina, with golden dowry and solid pact. |
The King to Hiluge: | ||||
24 | Nu bill on heve da
yals Guadnè borè u da kadn Sina kloyn a bera do skall Fon fruna Hildina verka wo sino chelsina villya. |
“Nu billon heve day
alty uadn è borè, u da kadn sina kloyna bera; do skall hon fruna Hildina verka wo sino chelsina villya”. |
“Nú biðlund hefir þú
alt til barns er borit, ok þá kann sín klæðin(i) bera; þá skal hon frúin Hildina verka á sínu sjalfs síns vilja. |
‘Now you will suffer long, until a
child is born, and wearing its own clothes; then the Lady Hildina will act upon her own will’. |
The scene switches to the preparations for Hiluge’s and Hildina’s wedding. Then Hildina gets her revenge. |
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25 | Hildina liger wo
chaldona U o dukrar u grothè Min du buga till bridlevsin Bonlother u duka dogha. |
Hildina liger wo
chaldona uo dukrar u grothè; min du buga til bridlevsin, hon lothir u duka dogha. |
Hildina liggr á
tjaldinu auga døkkvar ór gráti; meðan þú býr til brúðhlaupsins, hón lætr í drykkju dáa. |
Hildina is lying on the blanket her eyes all wet with tears; while they’re preparing the wedding she pours poison into the drinks. |
26 | Nu Hildina on askar
feyrin Sien di gava mier livè Ou skinka vin Ou guida vin. |
Nu Hildina on askar feyrin sien: “Di gava mier live ou skinka vin, ou guida vin”. |
Nú Hildina hon
aksar [œskir, Eng. asks] fǫðrinn sinn: “Þú gefr mér leyfi at skenkja vín, at gjóta vín”. |
Now Hildina she asks her father:
“Wilt thou permit me to pour the wine, and serve it for the guests? |
27 | Duska
skinka vin, u guida vin Tinka dogh eke wo Jarlin an gougha here din. |
“Du ska skinka vin u guida vin; tinka dogh eke wo Iarlin, an gougha here din.” |
“Þú skalt skenkja
vín at gjóta vín; þenkja þó ekki á jarlinn, þann góða herra þinn” |
‘You may pour the wine and serve the wine; don’t think any more of the Earl, the dear late husband of yours. |
28 | Watha skilde tinka Wo Jarlin gouga herè min Hien minde yagh inga forlskona Bera fare kera fyrin min. |
“Wath a skilde tinka
wo Iarlin an gouga herè min, hien mindi yagh inga forlskona bera fare kera fyrin min”. |
“Þó at ek skyldi
þenkja á jarlinn þann góða herra minn, héðan myndi ek enga fárskǫnnu bera fyrir kæra fǫðrinn minn”. |
Why should I think of the Earl the dear late husband of mine? and sure I will not present any poisoned drink, to serve for my father’. |
29 | Da gerde on fruna
Hildina On bar se mien ot On soverin fest, Fysin u quarsin sat. |
Da gerde on fruna
Hildina, on bar se mien ot; on sover in fest fysin, fysin u quar sin sat. |
Það gerði hún frúin
Hildina, hón bar svá mjǫðinn út; hón syfjar inn fast fǫðr sinn fǫðr sinn eð hvar sem sat. |
Then the lady Hildina, she
served the drinks for the men; she sent to sleep her father, and all the guests that were present. |
30 | Da gerde un fruna
Hildina On bard im ur Hadlin burt sien on laghdè Gloug I osta jatha port. |
Da gerde un fruna
Hildina, on bar dim ur hadlin burt; sien on laghdè gloug i otsta jath a port. |
Það gerði hún frúin
Hildina, hún bar þeim [þá] ór hǫllinni burt; síðan hún lagði glóð í ýzta gataport. |
Then the Lady Hildina, she dragged her father and his friends, out of the hall; then she lit a fire, in the main entrance. |
31 | Nu iki visti an
Hiluge Ike ov till do Eldin var commin i lut U stor u silkè sark ans smo. |
Nu iki visti an
Hiluge ike ov till do eldin var commin i lutustor u sìlkìsark ans smo. |
Nú ekki vissi hann
Hiluge ekki af til þá eldrinn var kominn í lopthúsdyr eð silkiserkr hans smár. |
Now Hiluge he didn’t wake up, not until too late; when the fire had covered the entrance, and his silk shift had caught fire as well. |
32 | Nu leveren fram Hiluge du kereda Fraun Hildina du Gevemir live u gre |
Nu lever en fram
Hiluge ------------------------------------- “Du keresta fraun Hildina, du geve mir live u gre”. |
Nú hlaupr hann fram
Hiluge ----------------------------------------- “Þú kærasta frúin Hildina, Þú gefr mér lífit ok grið”. |
Then Hiluge he jumped up and cried out to Hildina “My dearest Lady Hildina, please let me live and give me quarter”. |
33 | So mege u gouga gre Skall dogh swo Skall lathì min heran I bardagana fwo. |
“So mege u gouga gre skall dogh swo, sin shall lathì min heran i bardagana fwo. |
“Sá mikit það góða
grið skalt þú sjá sem sjalfr lézt þú minn herrann í bardaganum fá. |
‘Thus much good life and quarter
you shall receive, as you yourself let my late husbond have, on the duelling ground. |
34 | Du tuchtada lide
undocht yach Swo et sa ans bugin bleo Dogh casta ans huge I mit fung u vexemir mise meo. |
Du tuchta da lide
undocht yach swo etsa ans bugin bleo; dogh casta ans huge i mit fung, u vexe mir mìre meo”. |
Þér þótti það lítit
en þótt ek sá einnug hans búkinn blœða; þú kastaðir hans hǫfði í mitt fang, ok vex [óx] mér meiri móðr.” |
You thought little of it, even though I saw also his body bleeding; you threw his head into my lap, and added to my grief’. |
35 | Nu tachtè on heve
fwelsko Ans bo vad mild u stien Dogh skall aidè misè Koningnsens Vadna vilda mien. |
Nu tachtè on heve
fwelsko ans bo vad mild u stien. “Dogh skall aldè mirè Koningnsens vadne vilda mien”. |
Nú þakt hún hefir
fǫlska hans bæði með mold og steini. “Þú skalt aldrig meira konungsins barni valda mein[i]”. |
Now she has covered his falseness both with earth and stone. ‘You will do the King’s children, no harm ever again’. |