Naar De Hal Der Gevallenen [English translation]

Those who have foreseen their final destination1

Reach the gates of All-Father’s2hall

Shields and spears, meat, beer and mead

They are allocated to those chosen by Wodan3

[CHORUS:]

For the Hall of the Fallen4, the strong one’s strive,

Whose fame of their deeds defies death and oblivion

Lived honourably, and died a hero’s death

In chants and epics, they live on

The horn of Heimdallr5proclaims the war

The people and gods embrace their fate

To die in battle alongside the gods

Let the old things perish, and new things will emerge

[CHORUS:]

For the Hall of the Fallen, the strong one’s strive,

Whose fame of their deeds defies death and oblivion

Lived honourably, and died a hero’s death

In chants and epics, they live on

The order and earth, they will resurrect

And then, Baldr6and Höðr7will reconcile

They’ll come to existence after the fate of men and gods

Then, life and zest for life will return once again

[CHORUS:]

For the Hall of the Fallen, the strong one’s strive,

Whose fame of their deeds defies death and oblivion

Lived honourably, and died a hero’s death

In chants and epics, they live on

1. hun doel na hun dagen = (lit.) their purpose after their days of life (would have gone by)2. All-Father (or Allfather) may refer to any supreme male deity with progenitive characteristics. Here it refers to Wodan/Odin, as the lyrics are based on Germanic/Norse mythology.3. Wodan = Odin (Germanic deity; Icelandic/Old Norse Óðinn)4. Hal der Gevallenen (Hall of the Fallen) refers to Valhalla (a majestic, enormous hall located in Asgard, intended for those who fought bravely and have been chosen by Odin).5. Heimdallr (or Heimdall; modern Icelandic Heimdallur) is the watchman of the Germanic/Nordic gods, and he sits on the edge of heaven to guard the Bifröst bridge from the berg jötnar. He possesses the resounding horn Gjallarhorn.6. Baldr (also Balder; modern Icelandic Baldur) is a god in Germanic/Norse mythology.7. Höðr (often anglicized as Hod, Hoder, Hodur or modern Icelandic Höður) is the brother of Baldr in Germanic/Norse mythology. Tricked and guided by Loki, he shot the mistletoe arrow, which was to slay the otherwise invulnerable Baldr.