Einherjar
The Einherjar, literally meaning “those who fight alone” are the spirits of deceased elite warriors who dwell in Valhalla, the magnificent hall of the god Odin. All day long, they fight one another, doing countless valorous deeds along the way. But every evening, all their wounds are healed, and they are restored to full health. At Ragnarok, the final battle between the Gods and the giants, Odin is fated to fight the wolf Fenrir. The Einherjar will fight valiantly by his side. But despite all their fearless efforts, they are doomed to fall.
Lyrics
Allir Einherjar Óðins túnum í höggvask hverjan dag, val þeir kjósa
ok ríða vígi frá,
sitja meir of sáttir saman.
Fimm hundruð dura ok umb fjórum tögum,
svá hygg ek á Valhöllu vera;
átta hundruð Einherja ganga senn ór einum durum,
þá er þeir fara við vitni at vega.
Allir Einherjar Óðins túnum í höggvask hverjan dag,
Allir Einherjar Óðins túnum í höggvask hverjan dag,
All the Einherjar fight in Odin’s courts every day;
they choose the slain and ride from battle; then they sit more at peace together
Five hundred doors and forty
I think that Slain-hall has;
eight hundred Einherjar walk through each door, when they go off to battle the wolf.
All the Einherjar fight in Odin’s courts every day;
All the Einherjar fight in Odin’s courts every day;
