I was a fair lad
and was supposed to ride to Hova1
I ventured out one afternoon
laid down in the groove to sleep.
Then I first saw her
Then I first saw her
I laid down underneath a linden tree so green,
my eyes found rest.
Then two maidens approached me
they wanted to speak to me.
One stroke my cheek,
the other whispered in my ear.
-Stand up, fair lad,
if you yearn for some pleasure.
They ushered forward a maiden so lovely
her hair shone like gold
- Stand up, you fair lad
if you are in the mood.
The third began to sing,
which she did with goodwill
haltered so the fighting current
that used to run.
Yes, haltered so the fighting current
that used to run.
and the doe with her brown coat
forgot where she was running.
Hear, fair lad,
if you want to stay with us
then we want to teach you book and runes
along with reading and writing
I want to teach you how to tether a bear
and the beast against oak,
the dragon upon his mound of gold
shall flee from you.
I stood up from the ground
and supported myself on my sword
the fairy women danced around
they sure had a fairy voyage
Had not my luck been good,
that the man had unfurled his wings,
then I would have been sleeping in the mountain this night
among those fairy women.
Then I first saw her
Then I first saw her
1. A small locality in Sweden