NORDIC ZAGA " SCYLD'S FAREWELL "

Scylds’ farewell by Paul Kennelly June 2008


Farewell to scyld, our warrior King , who from the sea came forth
godspeed your boat of golden rings, heading towards the North

you brought us wealth and happiness, great joy in every way
too soon, yours is the silent breast , your face so weary and grey

sing we shall, of battles won and nights of celebration
of our dear king and Ulv, his son and how we built our nation

and as we sing, we lay him down upon the longboat proud
to take him to Valhalla, draped in a golden shroud

with golden banner, treasures too, you gently slip away
into the mist, unto the blue, by tide at end of day

Winter Storm by Paul Kennelly June 2008


Oh, the haunting times are coming, when the spirits that have passed
come a banging at the shutters and I feel the icy blast

as the wind it is a howling and the rain is lashing down
the spectre in the firelight flickering shadows all around

waves crashing on the longboats, safe in haven held
with the masts and ropes a creaking, in the bitter, bitter cold

then a howling from the sailsheets, like the voice of sailors lost
and the seabirds, they are crying like the widows on the coast

so, you huddle in your bear coat, before a roaring fire
but still the ghostly shadows, dance upon your mind

at last, the wind is easing and I rest my troubled mind
I fall into a slumber, leaving haunting storms behind