Hail to the All Father
Deep
into the well of Mimir we peer
Seeking
the knowledge, even if the price is dear
Hail
All Father Odin, who paid the cost
We
seek the light at the bottom of the well
Lift
we glasses high
Of
sweet Mead in your honor
Blessed
be the toast in your name
Steady
is the Earth beneath our feet
Firm
the footsteps on the path of light
Open
wide the doors of the Hall
and
Let sweet breeze blow
To
cool the tempest at the table
Warm
is the fire
That
glows in the night
As
we tell the tales of the brave and the bold
To
be silent, but brave in battle are we bid
It
befits a man to be merry and glad
Until
the day of his death, and he hails us from Valhalla
The
Hall of the Brave
The
coward believes he will live forever
If
he holds back in the battle, for justice
But
In old age he shall have no peace of soul
Though
the spears of the fight, have spared his limbs
To
ask well and to answer rightly
These
are the marks of a wise man
Men
must speak of other men's deeds
What
happens may not be hidden
from
the light of day
So
mark well your actions
He
is not wise, who is never silent
Mouthing
meaningless words
A
glib tongue that goes on chattering
Often
Sings to its own harm
Guard
well your tongue, least it cut you
Cattle
die, kindred die
Every
man is mortal
But
the good name of
one
who has done well
never
dies
The
sitters in the hall seldom know
The
kin of the new-comer
speak
lightly of the quest at your table
The
best man is marred by faults
But
the worst is not without worth
So
pay heed to all men
as
even fools can gather gold
Never
laugh at the old
when
they offer counsel
Often
their words are wise
Despite
their gray hairs
and
wrinkled face
The
Wise One has spoken words in the hall
Needful
for men to know
Unneedful
for trolls to know
Hail
to the speaker
Hail
to the knower
Joy
to him who has understood
Delight
to those who have listened
Drank
we down sweet Mead in your honor
Blessed
be the toast in your name
Steady
was the Earth beneath our feet
Firm
the footsteps on the path of light
Open
wide the we flung the doors
and
Let sweet breezes blow
The
tempest has been tamed
Warm
was the fire
That
glowed in the night
As
we told the tales of the brave and the bold
