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The Death​-​Song of Golden Osis Ring​-​giver

from selections from "I Have Wedded This Blade" by k.l.kahan as Wyndreth

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about

Osis, as did many great men of the North across the ages, died young and traveling. As with many who live larger than life, we were foolish to think we could keep him very long among us when those in higher realms knew his name. His elegy, here, was inspired by "The Death-song of Haakon the Good."

Only our wordfame outlives us all.

lyrics

The Death-Song of Golden Osis Ring-giver
(In Honor of Thorbjorn Osis Brandsson, young and mighty.)
© Karen L.U. Kahan 5/1999

On thunder-wing, lightning-shod,
come Screamer, Gnasher, Woe-bringer, all.
Feather-clad, sword-girt, Odin-sent
ride they to Midgard
to choose from the race of Men
one worthy to board bench
in Odin's meadhall;
to bear bright blade
at Ragnarok fell.

Rides the road Golden Osis Jarl,
pony driving homeward
news to bring of foemen felled,
of kinsmen well-met
at week's end.

Thewful, he; broad of back
and strong of limb;
golden-haired and comely.
Gives he rings freehanded
and offers host-mead
when worthy wights
finds he in warholm
or in great hall.

Foremost the Many-Crowned Jarl
to the battle-stead goes,
leads warriors fierce
in number and strength!
To the spear-dance
singing they wend,
rich raven-fare leaving they
wherever they stand!

Maidens sigh,
foemen pale and tremble,
to see him mail-clad,
bathed in war-dew,
mirthful laughing as
helms he cleaves
and byrnies sunders!

First, he, Golden Osis Jarl,
to free foemens' heart-tide.
First, he, Thorbjorn Thunderer,
to wend the wood
of Trees-of-Thrud
and hew them each
timber to tinder!

Exulting, they, the Valkyries
savage singing warshriek fearsome!

"Chosen this one is: Golden Jarl!
Chosen is Golden Osis Ring-Giver!"

"Fear this one, O Sons of Loki!
Bears he bright death in both his hands!
Bears he Sigfather's shining mark!"

"Mourn this one, O Sons of Man!
Rejoice he walked this time among you
for one such as he escapes not long
our notice or Allfather's Eye!"

"The Norns say this:
With his mighty tread
will Valhalla ring,
before the gold-wealth of his hair
bears age-silver strands!"

credits

from selections from "I Have Wedded This Blade", released January 1, 2004

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Wyndreth/SavageDaughter/Shieldmaid image

Wyndreth/SavageDaughter/Shieldmaid Wisconsin

Karen Kahan has been writing and performing original works including Viking-Age Norse-styled music and poetry as Wyndreth Berginsdottir, Savage Daughter, and A Shieldmaid, since the early 90s.

Performing largely a capella and with as little processing as possible to capture the candid honesty of oral tradition, she invites you to close your eyes, imagine the great-hall, and listen. ... more

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