Herr Mannelig [English translation]

Early one morning before the sun did rise

And the birds sang their sweet song

The mountain troll proposed to the fair squire

She had a false deceitful tongue

Sir Mannelig, Sir Mannelig won't you marry me

For all that I'll gladly give you

You may answer only yes or no

Will you do so or no

To you I will give the twelve great steeds

That graze in a shady grove

Never has a saddle been mounted on their backs

Nor had a bit in their mouths

To you I will give the twelve fine mills

That stand between Tillo and Terno

The mill stones are made of the reddest brass

And the wheels are silver-laden

To you I will give the gilded sword

That jingles from fifteen gold rings

And strike with it in battle as you will

On the battlefield you will conquer

To you I will give a brand new shirt

The lustrous best for to wear

It is not sewn with needle or thread

But crocheted of the whitest silk

Gifts such as these I would gladly receive

If you were a Christian woman

But I know you are the worst mountain troll

From the spawn of Necken* and the devil

The mountain troll ran out the door

She wailed and she shrieked so loudly

"Had I gotten that handsome squire

From my torment I would be free now"

Sir Mannelig, Sir Mannelig won't you marry me

For all that I'll gladly give you

You may answer only yes or no

Will you do so or no