Rolandskvadet in Old Frankish | The Skaldic Bard

[@SkaldBard]

This is my translation and performance of the famous Norwegian ballad Rolandskvadet (The Song of Roland) into the Frankish language; that is, a conservative form of Old East Franconian, which is one of several dialects that make up Old High German. Roland was a Frankish military leader during the rule of Charlemagne, which is why a Frankish translation seemed like a reasonable idea. I have used attested words and constructions where possible in my translation, but have had to “Frankicise” other OHG dialects in places where Old East Franconian is not attested. I translated “Ronsarvollen” (Roncevaux in Norwegian) as Hruodtale, literally “Glory Valley”, as it doesn’t appear that the authentic name is attested in any old Germanic sources, and I felt the meaning/phonetic quality of Hruodtale fits the song pretty seamlessly. Rolandskvadet is a popular Norwegian ballad based on the mediaeval French epic poem La Chanson de Roland. The ballad details the Battle of Roncevaux Pass in 778AD. I highly recommend checking out the original if you’re not familiar with it. I picked out some of my favourite stanzas and tried to keep the wording as similar to the original Norwegian as possible while roughly preserving the rhyme scheme, but it’s not a word-for-word translation. I hope you enjoy the song. Please let me know what you think in a comment. Feel free to suggest a song you’d like me to make in the future too. I will be back to making original songs soon, I’m just working on a big collaboration at the moment which I think you guys will like. That said, the channel might be a bit quieter going forward, as I’ll be starting a new job soon. Many thanks for your support as always! If you’d like to help me out, please like the video and subscribe. If you’d like to, you can also donate at buymeacoffee.com/theskaldicbard. Lyrics: Sehs minero chnehto heime sindun, bihuotente dhaz gold. Dhie andarun sehs in heidinim landun irkiosant isarn kalt. Sie ritant uz urankon guot chisatalote hrosa. Tuo dhaz horn Oliuant singan in Hruodtale. Huobun sie serihsegal uf, in himila uuardh chihaban. Sie farant in dhaz heidina land, zuuem uuehhun uf mere sie uuarun. Sie ritant uz urankon guot chisatalote hrosa. Tuo dhaz horn Oliuant singan in Hruodtale. Sie uuigun dhar in Hruodtale, muode dhie man uuurdhun. Dhanne ni liuhta sunna bidhiu bluotuuolchan flugun. Sie ritant uz urankon guot chisatalote hrosa. Tuo dhaz horn Oliuant singan in Hruodtale. Sie uuigun dhar in Hruodtale zuuem odar dhrim tagun. Heidine fialun fora Hruodlande soso uueizi fora seigisnun. Sie ritant uz urankon guot chisatalote hrosa. Tuo dhaz horn Oliuant singan in Hruodtale. Bluotchitrenchit Hruodland in dhaz horn luto bleuu. Dhanne erdha bibeda fona chlance, dher steina hieuu. Sie ritant uz urankon guot chisatalote hrosa. Tuo dhaz horn Oliuant singan in Hruodtale. Charl dher mihhilo uuidharquham sie satun dhar bluotrote. Ir bar dharot mihhilan scaahch, ioh heidine man uuarun tote. Sie ritant uz urankon guot chisatalote hrosa. Tuo dhaz horn Oliuant singan in Hruodtale.

[@Montana1861]

I have a suggestion. Idistaviso was a great victory for Rome. this was in retaliation for the events that took place in 9AD, maybe you could make a song on Germanicus. I appreciate your hard work and the music.

[@AunninnGamli]

In first: how?

[@adamparris8353]

The song was amazing. Good luck with the new job. 8)

[@cantionaleecclesiasticum5378]

Many thanks! I like the whole thing and most of all the phonetics. Have you thought about going beyond even temperament?

[@oddmustelid4339]

Wouldn't Frankish be closer to modern Dutch/Nederlands?

[@faryafaraji]

I almost yelled "finally!" when I saw this in my subscription feed; I always wanted to hear this in the Frankish language and knew you were the one who could pull it off. The musical rendition is what really caught my ear, though, it sounds great. I don't think your grasp of rhythm gets mentioned as often as it deserves: this is generally not a rythmical piece in most of its renditions, but the brisk tempo and the passages like "heidine man uuarun tote," are insanely satisfying in the way they form an overall danceable feel. It's the best part about your many translations of the same songs; you uncover new, hidden potentials within the same melodies every time.

[@SkaldBard]

@faryafaraji Thanks a lot for this, my friend -- it's especially meaningful coming from the goat himself. Anyone reading this should absolutely check out my boy Farya's cover of Rolandskvadet in the original Norwegian - it's epic: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYmzeZWfodmHgpofeature=shared

[@iberius9937]

​@@SkaldBardExcellent rendition!

[@MatthewVanston]

New collab when?

[@faryafaraji]

@@MatthewVanston I'll just answer with a mysterious ehehehe

[@SkaldBard]

Eheheh

[@anglomaxiumus]

OH MY GOD! He did it! The man actually sang in Rolandskvadet in Frankish. I am unironically overjoyed with this. Truly a master of your craft.

[@SkaldBard]

That's awesome! Thanks for the support, my friend

[@anglomaxiumus]

@SkaldBard no problem. Thank you for creating such awesome music.

[@PunkDogCreations]

@anglomaxiumus please do not use God's name in vain, and repent.

[@petitnormand1066]

I have a question. Frankish is the langugage spoken in France in the 8th century ? ​@@SkaldBard

[@dinobanan3211]

Imagine if someone sung the whole "Ballad of Roland". The idea reminds me of that one saga that took over 2 hours to listen through (and it was in song form).

[@robinrehlinghaus1944]

By Ingen?

[@Tilly-u2h]

@@robinrehlinghaus1944 your reply translates to “City none?” Bro just invented a new language

[@dinobanan3211]

@@robinrehlinghaus1944 It's not "by Ingen". It was posted by Ingen. Ingen doesn't make any of the songs.

[@robinrehlinghaus1944]

@@dinobanan3211 I know, I know

[@peterlokin4098]

The illiad is probably what you are referring to

[@maxcesarin1582]

Man, you literally make my history nerd dreams come true

[@SkaldBard]

Haha, awesome

[@grechdania]

Remember, Skald, every song you make is an absolute banger and we love you even more every time you post a new one. Thank you for all your hard and consistent work. Wish you bliþe willspell.

[@SkaldBard]

What a wholesome comment. Many thanks indeed for the support

[@WieldingEminator]

This is the first I've heard of Rolandskvadet as well as what an "Old East Franconian" language sounds like. This is cool!

[@sirkewbic5583]

It is the best version ever sung of this song! I'm French and it's a real pleasure to hear our oldest epic poem reimagined in the language the main characters actually spoke! 😁

[@elverbabybabysen2173]

It’s been almost a week since this was released, and I’m still going absolutely feral about how good it is

[@Neral-s2d]

Ich überbringe Huldigungen aus dem östlichen Frankenreiche! Very good music ❤

[@SkaldBard]

@@Neral-s2d Herzlichen Dank für Ihre großzügige Unterstützung! Grüße aus dem Land der Angelsachsen

[@a.h.sh.l.o.l2190]

As usual, Skaldic bard comes back with an absolute banger. this shit actually slaps hard bruv big ups.

[@SkaldBard]

Thanks, my friend

[@grandmarshallsteve]

Roland was a hero, a man that fell so Charlemange could live. May we never forget him, he who stood against the heathens! Awesome work man!

[@josephbrown1153]

He actually died fighting against the Basques, who had ambushed the Frankish army as they retreated across the Pyrenees (Franks and Basques had long been enemies and the Basques were good guerilla fighters) It was only in later retellings of the story (during the time of the Crusades) that the enemies that Roland was fighting against when he died became the Saracens.

[@grandmarshallsteve]

@@josephbrown1153 The Basque were pagans at that time, sir.

[@kylelapointe2289]

​@@grandmarshallstevereally? That's really cool to know.

[@amf9797]

@@grandmarshallsteve Basques were Christians, the entirety of Western Europe was Christianized under the Roman Empire. Basques being isolated due to the mountainous terrain, could indicate that the percentage of population remaining pagan could be higher than the neighbouring regions, but it does not in any way mean that Basques were pagans as a whole.

[@CipiRipi-in7df]

@@amf9797 ... back then there were at least 50 shades of gray between paganism and Christianity. Yes, Western Europe was mostly Christianized under the Roman Empire, but keep in mind that Roman control of the mountainous regions was precarious, at best. Roman civilization (and Christian Roman civilization especially) was based on city dwellers, while isolated communities up in the mountains were less exposed to Christian Roman rule (the word "pagan' come from "paganus", dweller of a pagus - roman village/hamlet). Keep in mind that, also, isolated communities higher up in the mountains are also the most conservative in every respect, including faith. Basques maybe were't pagans as a whole but had a much higher percentage of pagans among them, probably even a majority.

[@Englisc-Seaxe]

I've been waiting for this since I first heard it in Norwegian years ago...

[@ælfrædtheretard]

I've been wanting both a version of Rolandskvadet and another Frankish song, Skald killed 2 birds with one stone, or 2 Umayyads with one angon as the Franks would say. Jokes aside it's awesome to hear another song in such a cool but forgotten language

[@Wiggyam]

you should try the faroese version, i like it a lot more as a Nordmann

[@Englisc-Seaxe]

@Wiggyam That exists?

[@ælfrædtheretard]

@@Wiggyam I forgot Faroese existed, it's as close as we can get to Old Norse today, when Faroese dies out Old Norse dies with it

[@nerevardefrance7392]

My dream come true ! Thank you, great Bard !

[@chlodweg8064]

Magnifique!^^ Thanks for this one, really love it! Roland and the paladins deserve more renown than now, and this is a pretty nice one to pay them respect, thanks again!

[@Katidetinjicxjo]

dat is de bestklingen versioun vun dat leyd, en sköyn streamel vöär'e seyl. dank dy!! Thats the best sounding version of this song, a very nice piece for the soul. Thank you! Greetings from a Low Saxon from northern germany!

[@SkaldBard]

Greetings to you, my friend - thank you!

[@Þiudiskaz]

Mooi hi ook anner Lüü to seihn, de us sassisk Taal snackt, mien Broer. 🤝

[@baidyanathroy27]

Are you a Linguist or Musician? Skaldic Bard:- Both

[@ælfrædtheretard]

Skaldic Bard literally means poetic musician depending on what definition you go by so it makes sense

[@marcus4046]

me: Oh God work was terrible I need to get some sleep.... Bardicskald: Hey wanna hear the frankish song about Roland? Me: THE FLESH IS WEAK BUT THE SOUL IS STRONG!

[@SkaldBard]

Chuckled

[@MatthewVanston]

PRAISE THE GOD EMPEROR MY BROTHER

[@UnePaumeePrussophile]

I searched a frankish version of this song since a loooooong time, and someone finaly did it ! Thank you so much for your amazing work, greatings from France !

[@anubisd613]

Another masterpice by the Skald

[@davidvarga5298]

Another fine masterpiece that puts behind many other interpretations. Just another Tuesday for our bard. God bless you. Do you have a Patreon?

[@SkaldBard]

Hey man, thanks so much for the support and kind words! I don't have a Patreon, actually, but perhaps I'll set one up in future. Thanks again

[@ТоварищДебет]

Великолепное исполнение! Здоровья и творческих успехов

[@TradicionalistaPromedio]

This fills me with joy, trust me I’ve been waiting for this for a long time…

[@haroldgōdwinessunu]

Such a beautiful song, turned into the language who it is about, truly wonderous.

[@bespectacledpanda]

this is a beautiful song with a catchy melody! I especially love the way you and your wife harmonize in the chorus! thank you once again for another excellent piece!

[@Miklosh.Prostoi]

Ohhh, this cover is great! Thank you, the Skaldic Bard, for your (and your group's) arting!

[@SkaldBard]

The group is me and the wife! Thanks a lot, friend

[@FlaviusBelisarius500]

The song we were all waiting, masterpiece as always my friend.

[@frolleinwirrwarr]

As a German I find it interesting to hear and read the words that you know and don‘t know at the same time. And as a music lover I love to hear the well known melodies sung in other languages. Once again, well done :)

[@koreyb]

So awesome! A song that mentions Charlemange! I will certainly play this on December 25th!

[@Ianiosos]

Always when Skaldic Bard posts I need to listen to his new song. Again a great song!!! your songs keep getting better!!! Almost the greatest song I've heard from you! thx again for everything you gift us🙏🙏🙏.

[@SkaldBard]

Thanks for the support!

[@bxzidffbxzidff]

You and your wife's voices are always so harmonic together

[@saadiftikhar3317]

Don Quixote is one of my favourite books. I am rereading it. Songs like these adds so much context to it and makes it far more enjoyable

[@whyamihere777]

Just finished it beautiful as always thank you for the angelic voices.

[@servantofaeie1569]

I have no words for how overjoyed and epic this is.

[@volkerke5315]

Sehr schön gesungen und gespielt. Respekt 👍 Grüße aus Unterfranken

[@Francis-qu2iu]

he actually did it 🤧what a legend

[@Polish_Orthodox_Knight]

Skald never fails to post banger🔥🔥

[@Wolfe123]

It's like I can hear my ancestors sing this song and have a story to tell. I am a descendant of the Franks amongst many other ancient groups. Thank you so much for posting this!!!

[@unionist6668]

Vlaams?

[@ztfes52]

Was not expecting this one. pretty cool deviation

[@LAC03098]

Skald! always great to see your upload notification. I think Rolandskvadet is probably one of the most well-known ballads from Scandinavia and is a very good one at that You continue to astonish me with your grasp for languages - one i aspire to have- as i had never even heard of the frankish language until you released Charles Martel. A lovely translation and i the the the Glory Valley translation is fitting considering the context of the song. I loved the addition of the Olifant's Horn - although it scared the living daylights out of me first time around. well done to you, and your wife on another great piece as always, keep it up man. World is a better place with people like you Good luck at your new job! God bless

[@SkaldBard]

Hey man, thanks for the comment. Indeed, it's a shame that the Old High German dialects in general aren't really discussed as much as Old English and Old Norse, they are all quite beautiful. Really glad you enjoyed the song, and I very much appreciate your kind words. God bless you, friend! Hope you're keeping well. (Ah, and kinda glad I got someone with the horn ;-))

[@frontierliving4914]

just found this channel I give you props friend not everyday I find something I resonate with excellent

[@Tanishk-ot7dx]

Another banger from the GOAT himself. Looking forward to a new song sung in Norn

[@darthnymruk9766]

It's glorious, thanks my friend really needed this!!!

[@vojtechotava1417]

Fantastic work again! I can expect nothing less from though...

[@GermainSpeerwurf]

Es klingt wunderschön, vielen dank für diese tolle Musik. Es ist zum verlieben. Grüße aus Deutschland

[@regalbien6058]

Je n'ai pas compris le moindre mot, mais voici un petit coucou de la France

[@moony7144]

Thanks! Another one Germanic masterpiece!

[@mrsherman2516]

It's funny to know that we French have Germanic blood in our veins. Thank you to honoring us with this song.

[@heiliger_sturm]

Barely any. You’re Moroccan now.

[@vegardarntzen1556]

Even so, us Europeans are very similar aleady, since we share the ancient Indo European root.

[@mrsherman2516]

@@vegardarntzen1556 Indeed.

[@heiliger_sturm]

@@vegardarntzen1556France is 20% muslim and they elected communists once again to import 15 million more muslims. I think they’re finished, sorry. Liberal ‘democracy’ ruins everything. The rest of Europe should just build a giant wall around France to keep them all in. Also, French is one of the least Indo-European Indo-European languages. All of the Romance languages are fake, watered down rubbish that are descended from a creole.

[@zurgesmiecal]

@@heiliger_sturm it's not like they weren't warned, but well, they refuse to listen even today

[@yvetteworrall8909]

La Chanson de Roland has proved a repeated inspiration for me when bringing medieaval history alive. Thank you for this connection to the Norwegian.

[@Hoshinosaull]

YES YES YES

[@_Nilu__]

No no no

[@bakters]

I'd never expect it'd sound like that, but then it all made sense. I'm so glad people are doing stuff like that. You just lazily browse the net, and then someone drops a song in Frankish? Keep doing what you are doing. It's amazing.

[@alastor1510]

Wonderful yet again! Thank you for this hommage to the French (well, Frankish) legacy!

[@russby3554]

It saddens me to hear that you'll not be making as many songs but gladdened by your new job. Humbly, I would request a song about Lady Æthlflaed of Mercia.

[@SkaldBard]

I'll keep it up so stick around! And the Lady of Mercia is definitely on the list :-)

[@larsiiwip]

I cant get enough of this. Its beautiful

[@Saulus_Procuse]

Wonderful work! I love your creativity!

[@yogsothothery]

So beautiful. Love it! One of my favourite songs.

[@H.Wannop927]

I don't understand people when they say Germanic languages sound ugly and aggressive when stuff like this exists ❤❤❤❤

[@servantofaeie1569]

Same.

[@CipiRipi-in7df]

I do. When they say "Germanic languages" they think on Gothic, Vandal, Burgundian, or other Germanic languages of the 4th, 5th and 6th centuries, spoken by people that brought Roman Empire to ruin. But, by the 8th century, Germanic languages that created stuff like this were a far cry to those earlier languages that brought down Rome. They were already heavily influenced by vulgar Latin, especially after they adopted Christianity. But some folks can't make that difference. 😆😆

[@servantofaeie1569]

@CipiRipi-in7df Nah. I think it's people's perception of German because of the you-know-whats.

[@kimashitawa8113]

Most of the time i hear someone talk crap about Germanic languages it is a monolingual English person that can't handle languages sounding a bit rougher, who's first thought of a "beautiful" language is a Romance language Or it is someone from a neighbouring country with almost the same language picking on the other for minor nitpicks😭

[@servantofaeie1569]

@@kimashitawa8113 It's funny cause French is literally more gutteral and less melodic than some North Germanic dialects

[@agentbimlo4555]

I mean I can’t say how happy I am to hear this versions it just sounds pure and heavenly especially considering the fact that through this song I first discovered your might and it changed my life forever! Thank you so much Skaldic i hope to see more of your magic as soon as possible! 👑😁

[@SkaldBard]

Thanks for the very kind words, my friend -- great to have you around on the channel :-)

[@ragingsmurfling7205]

Excellent as always, dear Bard.

[@SkaldBard]

Thank you, friend

[@susannescheele905]

Tolle Musik und unsere Vorfahren werden wieder lebendig❤❤❤

[@WagaDasRad]

This is excellent !

[@SkaldBard]

@@WagaDasRad Thank you!

[@Yoyërcompany]

Oh, I've been waiting for this my whole life! God bless you, O Skaldic Bard!

[@SkaldBard]

Haha, if that's true, then that's very touching! God be with you

[@Mr.Renaud]

I think it fits a lot better in frankish than norse in my opinion

[@janosch7210]

Welcome to the endgame of 'i listen to all genres of music'. Congrats, you've made it to the final stage ❤

[@zoroaster5353]

Been looking for a true Frankish rendition of this for quite a while, well done skald!!

[@benoitsagnole2441]

Magnifique, merci !

[@Arckaro]

Awesome! One of your best!

[@RealConstantinusMagnus]

Thank you so much man

[@emanuels.pezente1899]

Oh yeah, this is what I needed to bare the rest of the week

[@emperor6878]

Love it man 11/10

[@tilllindelman265]

Very beautiful, noble and gentle

[@kamo93]

OOOOHHHHHH HE DID IT I'm so excited that this came out I asked a lot for this 🙏🙏🙏 feeling sorry for coming a month late tho

[@PyhyydenKlaani]

Hevonen

[@ElectroRaven]

Thank you for sharing your talent with us ❤

[@SkaldBard]

@@ElectroRaven thanks for this very wholesome comment

[@ElectroRaven]

​@@SkaldBard Aw. You're very welcome!! 😊

[@nedsulejmani6420]

What a great song, man, this is the first time to hear the old frankish language.

[@Hu55ar]

This is most certainly, a banger.

[@Fidwor]

Franconian is my absolute favorite. Well done!

[@АртёмГрицок-ш8т]

Video just been born on my eyes

[@angelmeier4382]

Fresh Skaldic Bard song! Cool!

[@sabeltandeekhoorn]

Holy sh*, it has blown my mind 😄 My deep respect 👍

[@jamesbatesibusquets7617]

This is really one of my favorite versions of the song. Skald and his wife's voices are just unsurpassed here.

[@TrimbakkiFonElsass]

Thank you very much for this, Old Frankish is such a cool language

[@meusisto]

I'm proud to have been here (on the channel) since the beginning, when you were just starting out in this heathenland.

[@SkaldBard]

@@meusisto I've never forgotten you either, my friend! Thanks for sticking around, good to hear from you

[@iberius9937]

Awesome rhythm and Instrumentation, as always. Probably the most original rendition of this song! Complete even with the horn blowing sound! Frankish is interesting, to say the least.

[@Docre_T]

It was necessary, thank you so much

[@jefbord]

Yess/ My new obsession song has arrived! Thanks!

[@alexandrejeannin1869]

Superbe interprétation de la Chanson de Roland en VO

[@K0EN]

Very good cover!

[@AleksanderK12]

Amazing work

[@SkaldBard]

@@AleksanderK12 Thanks a lot, friend

[@mechanee9444]

'' So you speak French right? '' The skaldic Bard:

[@DerEchteBold]

Mighty impressive work! Was already reading the lyrics in the description before I noticed the translation in the video, many of the words actually mean what I thought they meant, that's oddly satisfying.

[@Beorneofmercia449]

bleaming fantastic, you know you're in for a cracking day when skald comes in plinking his harp, this'll do fine for a music playlist round me bonfire for halloween with abit of mead and ale, wæs hæl skald🍺

[@SkaldBard]

My wife ran to me as soon as she read this comment, chuckling heartily at "when skald comes in plinking his harp" -- I love it, my friend, thanks for the support!

[@Beorneofmercia449]

@@SkaldBard you're very welcome sir, your music and research on the old tongues of the world is phenominal.

[@Riym2]

I Just love your songs, they too great to not apreciete

[@kristiangg4263]

perfect song as alwys my friend. the original is good but this here is next level keep up the gret work friend!

[@losgatosboi9880]

Idea for a Faraji-styled symphony: A version of Rolandskvadet with three times the verses, in Old Frankish, Norse, and Old English.

[@shawncarter5619]

Beautiful. I love it. Francisco does not sound like I thought it would

[@saadiftikhar3317]

Another banger from my favourite singer

[@brendan7048]

Magnificent!

[@SkaldBard]

@@brendan7048 Thank you!

[@Imperiumofman]

Outstanding.

[@markscf4654]

I'm Dutch, but i can understand this language suprisingly well actually. Very cool, awesome work!

[@tibsky1396]

Because before fully adopting the Gallo-Romance languages (Future Old French or Old Occitan), the Salian Franks in Gaul spoke ancient versions of Old Dutch or Flemish.

[@markscf4654]

@@tibsky1396 Yeah, i believe modern ''standard'' Dutch is descended from lower Franconian (and Frisian/Saxon). Imo most of the Dutch and Flemish can claim to have Frankish ancestry.

[@Enbdhhdu8e3]

​@tibsky1396 Salian Franks did move to Gaul but under the context that the Low countries south of the Rhine is "that" part of Gaul. Hence why Flanders, Brabant, Limburg etc are Frankish speaking regions and these provinces exactly match with the fact that we know the Franks were outnumbered by the time they settled the Picardy/Wallonia area and the minority of Franks that settled there did adopt Gallo-Romance but the vast majority of Franks did not and the ruling elites and nobles took up classical latin as a second language for administrative and theocratic purposes, the Frankish descendent nobles of "west Francia" only really adopted gallo-romance(french) centuries later.

[@tibsky1396]

@@Enbdhhdu8e3 It is generally attested that Old French was born during the Oaths of Strasbourg in 842, and that Hugh Capet would have been the first Frankish king to have asked for interpreters when he came to communicate with Germanic-speaking delegations, despite having a Saxon mother from the Ottonian dynasty. This more or less indicates the moments of rupture, or the long process of assimilation. Particularly since the beginning of the the Carolingians's decline. However, before that, even if the Frankish language was the first language of the court, it is still worth noting that the lower nobility already began to know how to communicate in Gallo-Roman dialects with the population from at least the Merovingian period, being closer to them than the high nobility at the court.

[@Enbdhhdu8e3]

@markscf4654 Dutch is not descendent from low-franconian. It "is" Low-Franconian which is called "Neder-Frankisch" in Dutch.

[@joescott7763]

Very cool song. Love it. Not only because my name is Roland...

[@VOJISLAVzvaniGAVRA]

This piece of work is more important for European unity than all of the directives, policies and rules of the EU.