Charles Martel [Song in Frankish] | The Skaldic Bard

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Here’s another song I wrote and performed, this time in Old Franconian/late Frankish - specifically Austrasian Franconian, as that is likely the dialect that Charles Martel would have spoken.

The song is based on the famous Battle of Tours in 732, where Charles responded to Duke Otto of Aquitaine’s plea for aid against the rampaging Umayyad Caliphate that had recently conquered Spain. Charles and his Franks fought valiantly and prevented France, and likely the rest of Europe, from being conquered and converted.

There isn’t a great deal of information available on Frankish and its numerous dialects. As such, there is a bit of reconstruction and artistic license taken at times. This dialect, Austrasian Franconian, was on the verge of “merging” into Old High German at the time the song is set, so elements of the language are consistent with other dialects of Old High German. I followed the pronunciation rules of the time as closely as I could, but naturally, it may not be perfect.

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My intention is exclusively to teach history and languages through song. I do not condone, endorse or seek to glorify violence.

Lyrics:
Heidine man sluogun nahgibura ioh bruoder unse.
Abur thes hoisten megin biscatuit euwih!
Ir selbo Christ ist Got ioh druhtin

fora dhemu sindun dheodun ioh riihi chihneigidiu

Karl, dher Hamar,
Frankono kuning!
Ir willon Gotes deda!

Karl, dher Hamar,
Frankono kuning!
Ir Frankonolant nerida!

Quad Otto dhem kuninge: “Hilf minan liudin!”
“Heigun heidine man harto bidwungan!”

Huob Karl gundfanon uf, dher muotago wigant,
dhen ir almahtic Got sendida.

Ir nam skild indi sper, Gode lob sageda.
Chinemnet sinan namon Heilant!

Suman thuruhskluog ir, suman thuruhstah!
Sin warth ther sigikamf!


Hwer ist ther druhtin?
Thaz lioht in finstarnessin ist!
Ni forhti thu thir.
After guotliihhin quimit ir.
So regonoda druhtin ubar Sodomam endi Gomorram swebil endi fyur,
so bim ih ubar fianta Frankonolantes chisendit!

Karl, dher Hamar,
Frankono kuning!
Ir willon Gotes deda!

Karl, dher Hamar,
Frankono kuning!
Ir Frankonolant nerida!