Viking Song

Farewell my love the waves are calling
I go to a land of untold wealth
where wheat stands tall in the golden sun
and weak kings reign who know not oar nor bow

Stay here my love our land is rich with summer berries
Save your arrows for dear and winter bear
they are nothing to sea monsters
I fear you will not return

I long to fight the monsters of the deep
so our deeds will be immortal
I'll bring you fruit never tasted here
spices to warm the long winter nights

My dear you'll starve to death a fool
Your ship holds food for three days only
Do you know where you're going?
How will you find your way home?

We go to an unknown land
but the Gods go with us
We have made our sacrifices
and know which star to follow

Then take me along with you
I am strong, we rowed together
I spun yarn to weave your sail
and felled oak to build your ship

Our bairn is young and needs you
he is too small to survive such a voyage
when I come back he'll be strong
then we'll all sail to golden beaches

With your belly full and the women frail
why will you return to our harsh land?
My father sailed and his before him
our son will sail and leave me old and weak

Then why will you wait and not go alone
or get with child by another man?
Give me a lock of hair and I'll give you mine
promise to wait and I'll return

With this gold curl I bind my fate to yours
See the golden seal? It is my spirit swimming after you
if you're true I will bring you good winds
but if you tarry I'll bring a storm and drown your ship