Bróðir í móti bróður - Norway’s Civil War (Old Norse Song)

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Here is another song I wrote and performed in Old Norse, this time about Norway’s civil war. It was a period of strife lasting 110 years between 1130 and 1240. Norwegians and men from abroad all sought to take the throne after the death of King Sigurd the Crusader in a tale of betrayal, all-out warfare, intrigue and destruction.

However, as the song indicates with the sudden change of tempo and atmosphere, after the Civil War, Norway entered what is known as the Norwegian Golden Age under Hákon Hákonarson of the Birkibeinar party. He negotiated with his adversaries, put down rebellions swiftly and sought allies throughout Europe. He is known for translating classical European literature into Norse, building in stone instead of wood, and for being a close friend to the Pope and kings throughout Europe (he was even offered the Crown of the Holy Roman Empire by Pope Innocent IV!). He consolidated many historic lands under Norway and promoted Norse culture far and wide.

I hope you enjoy.

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Lyrics:
Norðmaðr vegr Norðmann.
Er frændaróg hér.
Hefðarmenn koma til lands,
ríkit vilja taka.

Haraldr Gilli kom,
en Sigurði eið sór.
Hann Jórsalafari dó,
Gilli eið syni rauf.

Hann fangar Magnús
ok sjón hans stal hann.
Þá kom Slembi ór Íslandi,
við Hólm inn gráa berjask.

Synir Haralds ríkja,
en valdþrá vinnr blóð.
Fœra þeir sik til heljar,
nýjir flokkar hefjask.

Liðu vetr blóðs,
en kemr ítr elli.
Ek, Hákon Hákonarson,
með Birkibeinum rís!

Baglar sverja trygðaeið ok ek samlaga Noreg,
ǫllum uppreistum bregð ek, blóðsúthellingu lýkir!

Eptir ǫld ófriðar, lifum vér allfriðliga.
Mun Noregr undir mér nú ganga í gullaldr.

Noregr er viðarland, munk þat gøra upp í stein.
Snǫrum bœkr í Norrœnu ok fremjum norska siðu!

Páfinn býðr mér Róma, Jórsalafarar heita á mér!
Þótt Mongólar ógnar oss, látum engan bilbug sjá!

Með Hólmgarði bind ek lag, við Lýbiku sem ek sætt,
með Svíþjóð ófrið felldak ok við England eigum kaup.

Um Norðrhálfu leitk vina, mǫrgum lǫndum ráðum vér!
Várr er nú gullheimr!
Noregr hefr, Noregr hefr
Noregr hefr konung einn!