Dans, Dans Olav Liljekrans [English translation]

Olav was riding towards the mountains,

- They play1 under the high mountains2 -

The elven3 women broke into dance.

- Dismount your horse and dance -

The elf maid reached out her hand,

- They play under the high mountains -

"Come now, Olav, dance with me"4

- Dismount your horse and

dance, dance Olav Liljekrans,

dismount your horse and dance -

Dancing with you - I can not,

- They play under the high mountains -

for tomorrow my wedding is to be held.

- Dismount your horse and dance -

Olav, Olav, come dance with me,

- They play under the high mountains -

a "head" of gold5, I shall grant thee.

- If you dismount your horse and

dance, dance Olav Liljekrans,

dismount your horse and dance -

A "head" of gold, I wouldn't mind having,

- They play under the high mountains -

but dancing with you - that I'll never do!

- Dismount your horse and dance -

Olav, Olav, come dance with me,

- They play under the high mountains -

a silken shirt so I will give you.

- Dismount your horse and

dance, dance Olav Liljekrans,

dismount your horse and dance -

A silken shirt, I would gladly have,

- They play under the high mountains -

but dancing with you - that I'll never do!

- Dismount your horse and dance -

Listen up, Olav Liljekrans,

- They play under the high mountains -

you get off your horse, and start dancing!

- Dismount your horse and

dance, dance Olav Liljekrans,

dismount your horse and dance -

1. quoting Gjendine: "This is a very tricky thing to translate. To “leike” means to play, both games and also sometimes instruments but it can also denote music or sounds used by the creatures of the underworld to lure humans. The creatures of the Norwegian underworld (Huldra, Nøkken, Fossekallen and the Mountain King) were all known to use music to lure humans down to their world."2. Although it really could be translated simply as 'mountain', if you'll look at the first line, you'll see 'berg' is being used, and not 'fjell'. The difference is in the height, 'fjell' is the mountain part which is above the tree line, and vice versa.3. or elfin4. lit: go in dance with me5. an old measuring unit that goes by the weight of ones head