The Songs of Ranild

by George Borrow

And next him danced the Tage Mouse,
The Castle’s won, the Castle’s won!
Who Seneschal was in Ribe house,
For young King Erik Erikson.

And then danced bold Sir Saltensee,
The Castle’s won, the Castle’s won!
Followed by wealthy kinsmen three,
For young King Erik Erikson.

The noble Limbekk dances next,
The Castle’s won, the Castle’s won!
Whose power the King had often vext,
For young King Erik Erikson.

After him danced the Byrge Green,
The Castle’s won, the Castle’s won!
Then many a knight of handsome mien,
For young King Erik Erikson.

And then came dancing Hanke Kann,
The Castle’s won, the Castle’s won!
His Lady followed, good Dame Ann,
For young King Erik Erikson.

The next that came was the Ridder Rank,
The Castle’s won, the Castle’s won!
His Lady behind him, Berngard Blank,
For young King Erik Erikson.

And then the high Volravn came,
The Castle’s won, the Castle’s won!
His wife behind, who has no name,
For young King Erik Erikson.

And then came dancing Sir Iver Helt,
The Castle’s won, the Castle’s won!
Who followed his sovereign over the Belt,
For young King Erik Erikson.

Long stood the Ranild Lang apart,
The Castle’s won, the Castle’s won!
Ere he to join the dance had heart,
For young King Erik Erikson.

“And were it not for my lovely hair,
The Castle’s won, the Castle’s won!
In that brave dance I’d have a share,
For young King Erik Erikson.