Harpans kraft
Ville man og Magnhild is a medieval ballad from Norway.
The ballad is in Norway under the name " og Gudmund Signeliti ", " Gaute og Magnhild " and " Harpespelet tvingar nykken " known. It is a romantic nature-mystical narrative. There are many different versions of this song. The song is also in Danish and Swedish known by the name " Harpans force ". In Iceland it is known under the name " Gautakvæði ". The Norwegian versions come mainly from Telemark and Agder.
Content
Magnhild to cry because she knows about their fate that they will drown in the river. Ville man builds for them a bridge so they can escape. Many people look for her. The horse of the bride stumbles, however, when she rides over the bridge. She falls into the water. Ville man sings to his golden harp, forcing the troll to release them from the water.
The song is often printed in Norwegian songbooks. On the origin of the melody there is as yet no precise information. A text version has been reconstructed by Moltke Moe and published in " Norske Folkevisor " from him and Knut Liestol. :
Ville man gjekk seg te Storan å, Hei fagraste lindelauvi all. The Han ville gullharpa slå. For de runerne de Lyster han å vinne. Ville man gjenge for Straumen å stå, Mesterleg kunne han gullharpa slå. Han leika med lente, han leika med list, Og fugelen Tagna på grønande kvist. Han leika med lente, han leika med gny, Han leika Magnhild av nykkens poor. Men då join trolli upp or djupaste Sjø, Det gjalla i mountain og det i runga sky. Då slo han si harpe Bonn til i sin harm, Og utvinner krafti av trollenes poor.
Ville man went to the river For the most beautiful of all Linden He wanted to play the gold harp Because the runes promised him luck Ville husband went to stand against the tide Masterfully he could play the gold harp He played it delicately, he played it smart The bird was still on the green tree He played it delicately, he played loud He played Magnhild free from the arms of the Trolls Then the troll rose from the depths of the lake It rumbled in the mountains and crashed in the clouds Then he struck the harp with all its bundled anger And so the Troll took his strength and power.