We are the men come down from the Northlands.
Hard fighting hard drinking men of the sea.
We have come seeking not one but three things,
Fierce battle, glory and sweet victory.
I've a fine ship her name is Windrider
And I've a good crew, we are sixty strong.
You'll never find ship or crew better,
In olden tales, sagas or songs.
So heave away haul away bite deep the oars.
Tonight we sleep on some distant shore.
A heroes' death, deep in the fray,
Brings mead in Valhalla and fighting all day.
See yon watch fires up on the headlands.
They've spied our sails they know we are here.
'Twill be no surprise. 'Twill be a set battle.
Winner and loser shall pay a price dear.
Tonight some are heroes. Tonight some are wounded.
Some now so alive shall lie dead on the sod.
So whether 'tis Thor, Freya or Odin
'Tis time to cast runes and pray to the Gods.
So heave away haul away bite deep the oars.
Tonight we sleep on some distant shore.
A heroes' death, deep in the fray,
Brings mead in Valhalla and fighting all day.
Faces are grim with visage determined
Our foe's well arrayed and is well armed.
With a great shout both sides surge forward,
Spurred on by rage and the blasts of the horns.
Across the field I see I am challenged,
My answer my spear, he dodges the cast.
He sends his own, too fast for dodging.
My shield shakes with the shock of the crash.
So heave away haul away bite deep the oars.
Tonight we sleep on some distant shore.
A heroes' death, deep in the fray,
Brings mead in Valhalla and fighting all day.
We draw our weapons and close for the finish,
He with an ax and I with my sword.
With blades a blur we slash at each other,
Ax sunders helm as by blade he is gored.
Who is the victor and who is the vanquished?
From many a wound, we both do bleed.
But of we two, I'm the one standing,
Tonight in his hall we'll be drinking his mead.
So heave away haul away bite deep the oars.
Tonight we sleep on some distant shore.
A heroes' death, deep in the fray,
Brings mead in Valhalla and fighting all day.
Such valiant foes, we highly honor,
For men are known by their enemies.
When the skalds sing, of this great battle,
Our names shall ring through the centuries.
So heave away haul away bite deep the oars.
Tonight we sleep on some distant shore.
A heroes' death, deep in the fray,
Brings mead in Valhalla and fighting all day.