Landsighting
Edvard Grieg
1. Oh, it was Olaf Trygvason, sailing o’er the North Sea grim,
Up to his youthful royal kingdom, never expecting him.
At first sight, halting motion: “What is this kind of wall a thwart the ocean?”
2. Oh, it was Olaf Trygvason, quiet forbidding was the land;
All of his youthful kingly longings seemed by the mountains banned.
Then came a skald* perceiving whitened towers and spires, the sky piercing.
3. Oh it was Olaf Trygvason, then it seemed that he should go
To grayed and ancient temple bastions, white with a crown of snow.
Sorely he then kept longing, with his youthful faith to stand where belonging.
4. Open the land was; spring was here rumbling from its waterfalls.
Storm clouds and sea din rolled around them. Rustling, the forest calls.
Organs, with bells enhancing, Olaf looked about
Himself entrancing. Himself entrancing.
5. (King Olaf’s prayer) Baritone solo
“Our foundation here is grounded, temple-pillars bar out Hades.
Spirit trembles, heart is swelling; just the greatest here is honored!
May my faith match my foundation, mount to Jokel’s elevation.
Be my soul at nature’s apex filled by Him who all created!”
6. Olaf’s prayer we all submit to, now and always all commit to,
“Spirit trembles, heart is swelling; just the greatest here is honored!
May my faith match my foundation, mount to Jokel’s elevation.
Be my soul, at nature’s apex, filled by Him who all created!
Filled by Him! Filled by Him!
*any ancient Scandinavian poet, specifically one of the Viking period.