OK, peeps -
Rogann Ragnarsonn (Deputy Battle Trainer of the Dahrg de Belne)
For those of you who’ve been hiding for the past week, I’ve finally gone over to the Dark Side and joined Facebook. And I had no idea how many Vikings were marauding and pillaging their way through cyberspace (figuratively speaking, of course!)
Anyhoos – I ran into this nice, nice fellow. Paul James McDaid – that’s Rogann Ragnarsonn to you – is in the Birmingham Vikings (yep, UK) and also starting up his own combat group called the Jotun Warband (a badass Viking reenactment society.)
Paul sent me The Death Saga of Rogann, a poem he wrote in the tradition of the sagas. And I have to say it – I’m impressed.
I asked Paul if he minded me publishing a brief excerpt here. I don’t want to reprint the whole thing, because that’s what his Facebook page is for. So go visit it, or I’ll send Paul after you in full battle attire. Paul also has a book called Tiivestelma. Got to catch up with Paul and get the link for it, so stay tuned.
So here’s an excerpt from Paul James McDaid’s The Death Saga of Rogann, used with permission from the (talented) author:
Wounded by the spite of Enemies.
Ruined upon Erda’s fields,
There did I see his blood,
Flowing like Fimbulthul,
Out of mighty Hvergelmir
From which many mighty rivers flow
In the heart of Nifelheim,
Strengthened by the sparking water
That drips from Eikthyrnir’s antlers.
His eyes did gaze up into the House of Winds,
Laden with clouds, and bright,
He watched Skoll chase Sun’s chariot
To make way for Mani, bearing the moon,
Fleeing from Hati’s wrath.
There, as his Odin-gifted soul
Did seek to leave him,
He spotted a Shining Light,
Out of Ymir’s Skull it seemed to come,
Blinding and pure in his mortal eyes.
In gleaming dress of steel
Upon barded horse,
Came Freya’s servant,
Valkyrie of Sessrumnir,
That lovely hall adorned with
many seats….
Awesome stuff, Paul (Rogann). Thanks for sharing with us, and I’ll put up the link to your book soonest.
WMY (and Paul knows what this means!)
5 comments
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July 16, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Einar Ivarson
Paul is wearing much more authentic Viking dress, including the helmet without horns, than my outfit. The horns on my helmet are a concession to the misinformation and misconception that people have had about Viking headgear since the advent of the helmet with horns in late 19th century German opera.
July 16, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Dawna Rand
Einar, either way, you guys ROCK! It looks like you guys have such a great time! Hope you have more vids out on YouTube….?
July 17, 2009 at 1:50 pm
paul james mcdaid
Wow thanks i feel really important now lol,,no really thank you Dawna,,and anyone feel free to add me as friend on facebook and lets talk Vikings,there is so much more behind the Great Norse people,they were great Sea navigators,explorers,crafts people farmers and always remember all vikings were Norse but not all Norse were Vikings,,,Trouble is people through out history have built up what they thought Vikings to be and in depth look will show not all vikings raided…anyway thank you again from Rogann ere in UK,blessings to you all…………….
July 20, 2009 at 5:23 pm
fairlee
If all those Viking were as cool as Paul, Arizona could use a raid or two. Tell it like it is Rogann.
July 20, 2009 at 5:56 pm
Dawna Rand
I think we need to arrange a Transatlantic raid. After all, the Vikings did it before, right?
And Arizona’s just a tad farther than Greenland – no big deal!