Icelandic Rune Poem

This is the entire Icelandic rune poem in original low German, the rune character each line refers, and a modern English translation.

It dates to the fifteenth century but interestingly enough is closer to its pagan origin in character than either the Anglo Saxon or the Norwegian rune poem, both of which predate this version by several centuries. The Icelandic poem keeps not only obviously pagan references, but also the Norse god names for the various runes. Many of the lines have had Romanized epithets added to the end.

Fé er frænda róg ok flæðar viti ok grafseiðs gata aurum fylkir. Wealth is the source of discord among kinsmen, and fire of the sea, and path of the serpent.
Úr er skýja grátr ok skára þverrir ok hirðis hatr, umbre vísi. Úr is when the cloud cries, it is the ruin of the hay-harvest, and hate of the shepherd.
Þurs er kvenna kvölok kletta búi ok varðrúnar verr. Saturnus þengill. The ogre is the torture of women and cliff-dweller and husband of a giantess. Thegn of Saturan.
Óss er algingautr ok ásgarðs jöfurr, ok valhallar vísi. Jupiter oddviti. Óss is order and Ásgard's giant, the wisdom of Valhalla. Jupiter’s head.
Reið er sitjandi sæla, ok snúðig ferð, ok jórs erfiði iter ræsir. Reið is the joy of the horsemen, and speedy journey, and toil of the steed.
Kaun er barna böl ok bardaga för ok holdfúa hús. flagella konungr. Kuan is the bane of child hood, the yoke of battle, who’s home is the flesh. King of Whips
Hagall er kaldakorn ok krapadrífa ok snáka sótt. grando hildingr. Hagall is the cold grain and shower of sleet and sickness of serpents.
Nauð er Þýjar þrá ok þungr kostr ok vássamlig verk. opera niflungr. Need is the grief of the bond-maid and state of oppression and toilsome work.
Íss er árbörkr ok unnar þak ok feigra manna fár. glacies jöfurr. Íss is the bark of rivers and roof of the wave and destruction of the doomed.
Ár er gumna góði ok gott sumar algróinn akr. annus allvaldr. Ár is a boon to men, a good summer with thriving crops. King of the Year.
Sól er skýja skjöldr ok skínandi röðull ok ísa aldrtregi. rota siklingr. Sól is the shield of the clouds and shining ray and destroyer of ice. Rotating King
Týr er einhendr áss ok ulfs leifar ok hofa hilmir. Mars tiggi. Týr is the god with one hand and leavings of the wolf and prince of temples. Mars is begging.
Bjarkan er laufgat lim ok lítit tré ok ungsamligr viðr. abies buðlungr. Bjarkan is the leafy twig and little tree and fresh young shrub.
Maðr er manns gaman ok moldar auki ok skipa skreytir. homo mildingr. Maðr is the delight of man and augmentation of the earth and adorner of ships.
Lögr er vellanda vatn ok viðr ketill ok glömmungr grund. lacus lofðungr. Lögr is the eddying stream and broad geyser and land of the fish. The promise of the water.
Ýr er bendr bogi ok brotgjarnt járn ok fífu fárbauti. arcus ynglingr. Ýr is the bent bow and bitter iron and a fools craft. The youthful arch.

←Back

Rune Lore

Norse Folklore