Die alte Norne [English translation]

She winds the cord of fate

For good and ill.

On the World Ash-Tree she once wove

Where great and full-green,

The World Ash-Tree's strong trunk

Sways in the cool shadows -

The source of the Urðarbrunnr

The sacred Wisdom-draught.

A bold god stepped up to the well

Proudly up to the draught.

Wotan broke off a branch

As thick around as a tree trunk.

The wound hurt and thinned the wood,

The leaves fell soon after.

The proud World Ash-Tree withered

Death its only fate.

The sacred well ran dry

The Urðarbrunnr died.

She weaves no more at the World Tree

The old wise Norn.