“Skálasöngvar í Höll” (Hall-Song of Toasts)(Old Norse) - TheMattEricksen

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“Skálasöngvar í Höll” (Hall-Song of Toasts)(Old Norse) - TheMattEricksen

This spirited chant captures the ritual of toasting in the great hall, where warriors raise horns to gods, ancestors, and victories. The lyrics are a cascade of boasts and blessings, invoking Þórr’s strength and Óðinn’s wisdom. The melody is bold and rhythmic, driven by a steady drumbeat and a chorus of voices joining in the skål (toast). The song’s structure is repetitive and anthemic, designed to unite the hall in shared pride and reverence, echoing the raucous spirit of Viking gatherings.





Stanza 1
Í höll brennr eldr, ok mjöðrinn flóð,
Bræðr ok vinir, í gleði góð.
Njörðr gefr vindi, á sævar veg,
Skál til lífsins, í nóttar dreg!

Refræn (Refrain)
Hef skál til himins, í ljósi glóð!
Með mjöði ok vinum, oss lifið blóð!
Frá hjarta til sagna, lof guðs skal rís!
Í höll ok sæ, er gleðinn prís!

Stanza 2
Sjá, víkingr segl, á bára skín,
Haf ok stormr, í hjarta þín.
Óðinn hlær, í skáldskapar mæl,
Sögur ok skál, í nóttar sæl!

Refræn (Refrain)
Hef skál til himins, í ljósi glóð!
Með mjöði ok vinum, oss lifið blóð!
Frá hjarta til sagna, lof guðs skal rís!
Í höll ok sæ, er gleðinn prís!

Stanza 3
Horn ok hlátr, í veizlu kvedr,
Frægð ok frændr, til ævigs svedr.
Lífsins gleð, í mjöði finn,
Skál til bræðra, er hjarta þín!

Refræn (Refrain)
Hef skál til himins, í ljósi glóð!
Með mjöði ok vinum, oss lifið blóð!
Frá hjarta til sagna, lof guðs skal rís!
Í höll ok sæ, er gleðinn prís!


English Translation

Stanza 1
In hall burns fire, and mead does flow,
Brothers and friends, in joy’s warm glow.
Njörðr grants winds, on ocean’s way,
Toast to life, in night’s bright sway!

Refrain
Raise horn to heavens, in fire’s red gleam!
With mead and comrades, life’s blood does stream!
From heart to saga, gods’ praise shall rise!
In hall and sea, our joy we prize!

Stanza 2
See, Viking sails, on waves do gleam,
Sea and storm, in your heart’s esteem.
Óðinn laughs, in skald’s wise lore,
Tales and toasts, in night’s sweet store!

Refrain
Raise horn to heavens, in fire’s red gleam!
With mead and comrades, life’s blood does stream!
From heart to saga, gods’ praise shall rise!
In hall and sea, our joy we prize!

Stanza 3
Horn and laughter, in feast resound,
Fame and kin, forever bound.
Life’s great joy, in mead we find,
Toast to brothers, of heart and mind!

Refrain
Raise horn to heavens, in fire’s red gleam!
With mead and comrades, life’s blood does stream!
From heart to saga, gods’ praise shall rise!
In hall and sea, our joy we prize!