Scandinavian Song

Ingeborg, slender as pine-tree was she,
-- So ever sings the wild gale --
She met with a doom that struck harsh, bitterly.
-- We pity, we pity her tale.

She heeded not mother, nor words father told,
-- So ever sings the wild gale --
Askar was her lover, the sea-warrior bold.
-- We pity, we pity her tale.

Askar to a far foreign country did roam,
-- So ever sings the wild gale --
Long left he his sweetheart to linger alone.
-- We pity, we pity her tale.

There flew many days, there flew many long nights,
-- So ever sings the wild gale --
And many the tears flowed from Ingeborg's eyes.
-- We pity, we pity her tale.

And news to Askar they brought after a year:
-- So ever sings the wild gale --
In the earth soundly slumbers thy Ingeborg dear.
-- We pity, we pity her tale.

'Twas hard for Askar in this life to live yet,
-- So ever sings the wild gale --
He rushed into battle, the maid to forget.
-- We pity, we pity her tale.

And thus did he meet with a death-dealing blow,
-- So ever sings the wild gale --
And thus for his bride bold Askar perished so.
-- We pity, we pity her tale.

And Ingeborg pine, days unending unfold,
-- So ever sings the wild gale --
Askar does not come, the sea-warrior bold.
-- We pity, we pity her tale.

The cliff like a wall hangs above the sea foam,
-- So ever sings the wild gale --
Ingeborg waits, every day there, alone.
-- We pity, we pity her tale.

She sees at last: come from the far country back
-- So ever sings the wild gale --
The ship of Askar, and the sails are all back...
-- We pity, we pity her tale.

Then shrieking she flung herself into the sea,
-- So ever sings the wild gale --
And from the dark depths nevermore arouse she.
-- We pity, we pity her tale.

Maxim Bahdanovich 1915