The Last Varangians - Song in Old Swedish

Here is a somewhat ambitious song I wrote and performed in Late Old Swedish (yngre fornsvenska).
A slight disclaimer here: I am aware that the Varangian Guards are not known to have been present in 1453 when Constantinople fell - however, it is not an impossibility, as we know a great deal of foreigners were present, and the Varangians are mentioned as having been used as mercenaries during Manuel II Palaiologos's reign in 1404. I find it a little sad that they kind of drop out of history, so this is a quasi-hypothetical ending story for them. Conceivable or not, I hope you enjoy.
The art is called "Pillage and Plunder" by Atorot (www.deviantart.com/atorot/art...)
You can find me on Spotify under The Skaldic Bard.
If you'd like to support my work, you can do so here: www.buymeacoffee.com/theskald... (but really, no pressure!). Thank you for your kindness.

[@SkaldBard]

Here is a somewhat ambitious song I wrote and performed in Late Old Swedish (yngre fornsvenska). A slight disclaimer here: I am aware that the Varangian Guards are not known to have been present in 1453 when Constantinople fell - however, it is not an impossibility, as we know a great deal of foreigners were present, and the Varangians are mentioned as having been used as mercenaries during Manuel II Palaiologos's reign in 1404. I find it a little sad that they kind of drop out of history, so this is a quasi-hypothetical ending story for them. Conceivable or not, I hope you enjoy.

[@marcus4046]

I believe they stopped being a large part of the Roman Army after the 4th crusade but stayed as a sort of honorguard to the emperors so its not entirely impossible that some nord bois slapped a few turks entering the city.

[@somerandomguypart]

slight clearer pronunciations and audio could be nice for the vids but everything else is great

[@guydelusignan9561]

Small question.... what is the difference between borgehna and borghenne? In Translation, both means City.

[@SkaldBard]

@@guydelusignan9561 Old Swedish was a case-governed language, meaning it took different inflections - "-ena" was the strong feminine accusative definite declension, while "-inne" was the strong feminine dative definite declension :-)

[@guydelusignan9561]

@@SkaldBard thanks. Thats... couöd be damn close to German.

[@biropgrules]

The praetorians were disbanded in disgrace while Rome was at its height, lost to honor, and principles. The Varangians stood by as the Empire reached it's final end, and the flame of rome was snuffed out forever... And they stood strong, loyal to the end as they died with it, certain in honor, and shields held high so that even if the accursed turks would rule as pretenders for the next five hundred years, there would not be a man in the west, who would forget that the true empire died there with the last Emperor of the Romans, and his guards from the north.

[@bruni5289]

Gloria urbi aeternae et caesari

[@aloptuleamagnificanton4983]

The fall of the Byzantine Empire was caused first and foremost by Greek entitlement, secondly by the greed and savagery of the Crusaders in the 4th Crusade. The Turks just brushed aside an empire which was in shambles.

[@ryanmalady376]

​@@aloptuleamagnificanton4983sad but true

[@morathi9956]

@@aloptuleamagnificanton4983Roman, not Greek. Roman, not Byzantine… But overall you have a point that it was the arrongance of the East and the Greed of the latins, that destroyed the second rome…

[@aloptuleamagnificanton4983]

@@morathi9956 It was exclusively Greek entitlement and their patronizing attitude towards all the other minorities in Constantinople (Vlachs, Bulgars, Serbs). There was hardly anyone of pure Roman blood in Constantinople anymore. So you're totally wrong about that.

[@crazyhercules9442]

Constantine XI: As my city falls, I shall fall with her! Varangians: *New attribute unlocked “Go Berserk” is now available for special unit*

[@heyokasamurai453]

The city fell before guard

[@manwithgun9768]

​@@heyokasamurai45340 thousand years later: "The planet broke before the guard.."

[@SovietOnion111]

ill give em credit where its due, they hurt Mehmeds forces harshly, and held his turkish forces back for a few hours before they began to fail. over 20,000+ men vs maybe 100 or so is impressive, im sure they made their fellow Varangian's proud and their Swedish/ Norwegian ancestors proud as well.

[@Valentyn90A]

@@SovietOnion111 They joined Valhalla

[@Beorneofmercia449]

@@SovietOnion111some time after hastings the odd english fled williams rule and followed some vikings on becoming varangians you never know maybe a tiny number of english decent could've been there during constantinoples fall

[@MatthewVanston]

I really like the fact that you quoted Constantinos XI's last words in Greek.

[@SkaldBard]

He gave one of history's great speeches, had to be done

[@MatthewVanston]

@@SkaldBard Agreed

[@crusader5256]

Excellent work! May the souls of Constantinople's defenders rest in Heaven.

[@elio6861]

Didnt expect to see Reynauld here

[@pattyguy]

also attackers

[@OrthoKarter]

@@pattyguy barbarians dont rest in heaven. they sacked the capital of orthodoxy.

[@ruzgar1903BJK]

@@OrthoKarter Sacked? Stop lying, If we had sacked, Hagia Sophia wouldn’t exist, hell the Greeks wouldnt or they’d be assimilated! How are the pontus greeks able to speak greek? There are churches remaining in Istanbul, how many mosques are there in Greece?

[@ruzgar1903BJK]

the 373 recorded religious institutions, 321 were Christian churches, including 90 Greek Orthodox (75 in Istanbul), 55 Armenian (48 in Istanbul), 60 Assyrian, 3 Chaldean, 4 Bulgarian, 1 Arabic Orthodox, 53 Christian churches for foreigners, and 52 illegal Protestant Missionary churches.Aug

[@edge6441]

As a Greek myself i can only feel awe listening to this while reading the lyrics...its crazy to think that Constantinople (or Miklagarth) was once a crossroads for so many different cultures and people including the fearsome to even look at Scandinavians (as it is written in historical manuals) that comprised the Varangian guard probably the strongest armed force of the ancient Byzantine empire. Another amazing video in this absolutely amazing channel!!!

[@jakebranch2599]

The Eastern roman Empire as not ancient, Infact it survived (arguably), into the Early Modern Era.

[@coffeerider786]

@@jakebranch2599 Survived for over 1000 years after the split

[@Briselance]

Mercenaries who stay and fight despite impossible odds, despite certain defeat, are not mercenaries. They truly are soldiers whose loyalty and fidelity goes to the country that employs them. They are an inspiration. 🍺To the Varagians! 🍺To the defenders and people of the Empire! 🍺To the Emperor!

[@Briselance]

And, also, a glass of arak to the braves amongst our enemies! 🍶

[@lopakacooper1668]

To the Praetorian Guard as well? 🥂🍻

[@Briselance]

@@lopakacooper1668 Why, of course. 🍺

[@rachdarastrix5251]

It is surprisingly easy to get mercenaries to fight to the death. Simply make sure the contract reads "Should participant in contract end up KIA payment goes directly to next of kin."

[@TheAchilles26]

@@lopakacooper1668 Why? The Praetorian Guard assassinated more emperors than they defended

[@bjarnitryggvason7866]

Very nice delineation between West and East Old Norse. So refreshing to see someone beside Jackson Crawford giving our cultural heritage genuine love and attention. ❤

[@user-vh9vr4bh1h]

Varangians the Last Defenders of Rome Greetings to our brothers From 🇬🇷 we know we remember we Honor 😊

[@Apaurie]

excepted, most of them were not nordic anymore at that time, mostly creatan or greeks.

[@eleftheriosiliopoulos8796]

@@Apaurie Creatans are greeks

[@boeotian-warrior]

Blessed be all the Defenders of Constantinople, Greeks, Venetians, Slavs ☦️✝️

[@Knight_of_Poland]

Amen✝️☦️

[@kaybrown4010]

As one of Northern European descent and an Orthodox Christian, this hits home. Memory Eternal, loyal Varangians, known only to God. ❤️☦️

[@iberius9937]

This song is a good double feature to listen to along with "The Varangians" by Farya Faraji.

[@Thracepirus_ball]

Εξαιρετικό τραγούδι, χαιρετισμούς στους φίλους Σουηδούς από Ελλάδα 🇬🇷🇸🇪 Excellent song, greetings to our Swedish friends from Greece 🇬🇷🇸🇪

[@ioannisamartias3060]

theloume norvigous oxi souidous gafto xasame😂

[@VGurrasKpist]

I don't know late old Swedish but it's impressive how similar it is to modern Swedish I understood most of the song even without the text. Great job

[@SkaldBard]

Tack!

[@Br1cht]

Kom igen, vad hittar du för likhet med traditionella Svenska folkvisor? DEn här låten är bra men den är "Hollywood Viking", inte Svensk. Vi grymtar inte i våra visor och har aldrig gjort det.

[@VGurrasKpist]

Vad snackar du om? Jag har inte sagt att den var lik svenska folkvisor. Allt jag sa att det var hur lätt man kunde förstå texten som en svensk

[@SkaldBard]

Den här låten är inte en svensk folkvisa.

[@luciathesylveon8082]

@@Br1cht "Vi grymtar inte i våra visor" Varför grymta? Bara grisar grymtar. I låten sjunger de bara "uh ah". Jag lär mig svenska, så förlåt min dåliga svenska. Jag är hälften tysk och jag älskar svenska språket

[@lopakacooper1668]

This is a very epic sounding song to tell the tale of the Varangians! Also, just imagine being an Ottoman having to fight tall towering Swedish mercenaries who declared loyalty and fidelity to the Emperor, that are clearly there to stay and stand guard over Constantinople till their last breath…

[@SkaldBard]

Thanks, good sir - and aye, truly a glorious legacy

[@lopakacooper1668]

@@SkaldBard Truly glorious indeed. It really gives off the Nordic perspective of the sacking of Constantinople. May the Varangian Guard and the people of Constantinople rest peacefully in Heaven…

[@Northy777.]

Imagine beeing an ottoman, then seein a Norwegian viking king suddenly jump upon the battle field.. I mean dang, im surprised most of them didnt ditch the war when they saw vikings in byzantium.

[@lopakacooper1668]

@@Northy777. And even more scarier, they end up berserk, fueled by pure rage. 😨🥶

[@ayransever47]

@@Northy777. I dunno, you'd think after the Timurids practically causing a civil war in the Ottoman State, they would've been used to it.

[@respectboy4966]

I am Pontic Greek much respect to our Viking friends

[@persian639]

My greetings to you my friend. I am a Persian and Pontus kingdom is a common point between the two nations of Persia and Greece

[@user-zk5uj3wh5h]

This one was crazy, very powerful lyrics. I love the little nod towards Sweden with this one.

[@gregoryheers2633]

I wish I could re-like this video every time I rewatch it. Like-ing it once is really not enough!

[@SkaldBard]

Haha, thank you, my friend

[@JustinMiller-mt2fp]

My respect goes out to the the defenders of Constantinople, all of them. All of the northmen, Greeks, Venicians, Catalans, and English. In your last moments on earth, you helped the dying flame of Constantinople burn brighter. God willing, one day mass will be held in the great church once again.

[@jaimemartin222]

Spanish*

[@JustinMiller-mt2fp]

@@jaimemartin222 Castile and Leon, Spain did not exist as a unified kingdom at this time.

[@jaimemartin222]

@@JustinMiller-mt2fp Spain existed before Al-Andalus. We just reconquered our land.

[@jaimemartin222]

@@JustinMiller-mt2fp You mean "modern" Spain or Spain 2.0. But the first was with Third Council of Toled in 589 with the king Reccared I and the bishop St. Isidore of Seville.

[@langskeppet9887]

As a quite new subscriber to your channel, and a Swede I must say I love your music. Beautiful, and I can hear the “swedishness” of it all.

[@SkaldBard]

Awesome, great to have you!

[@Br1cht]

I hear Hollywood Viking-esque stuff but Swedish, no. How can you as a Swede have missed our Folksongs from before, do you get no schooling anymore, your parents? This is a good song but it has literally no traditional Swedish connection at all besides the Nyckelharpa. We never grunted in our music like a Hollywood producer has made you think. This song is more Afro inspired than Sweden.

[@langskeppet9887]

@@Br1cht I have never said I thought this song was culturally or historically accurate, I only said I could actually hear the Swedish language. And no, we are not taught on true tradition and culture in our schools anymore, why would you even expect that from a liberal and progressive western country? I myself don’t listen to African songs, so I can’t say that I agree with you, but our Swedish songs today are not from the Viking age, I don’t think they grunted in the Viking or Vendel music, but I don’t think it is very easy to make any song today to sound exactly like songs from almost 1000+ years ago.

[@sebastiansuteu1829]

​@@Br1chtwhat afro do you dream? This sound like byzantine chant and Instruments, shut up pagan if you dont know what this is about

[@PanosKapa-]

Greetings from Greece! What an amazing song you crafted there!

[@kait005]

A beautiful ballad. According to my DNA i am a descendent of a Varangian Warrior. I am just discovering these amazing Vikings.

[@KaanEsenkurt56]

☦️✝️🇻🇦⚜️

[@Ages_of_domination]

It could be a cook or something you know

[@allsoover]

@@Ages_of_domination depending on how he figured out he was specifically a descendant of such a man, its likely an actual warrior

[@branexch5067]

​@@Ages_of_domination i mean a Varangian cook still sounds utterly terrifyingly lmao

[@secret0fsecrets739]

This is my new work out song, I can feel my swedish blood pumping with the strength of my ancestors.

[@SkaldBard]

Based

[@eleftheriosiliopoulos8796]

@secret0fsecrets739 One more time God and the Roman King will need your help.

[@Realsvear]

If the war is coming to Sweden, this song should be played! Good boost too increase the fighting spirit!

[@damianrobinson4895]

This is really beautiful--thank you so much for your work! I can definitely imagine this as being possible, but whether or not it really happened that way, it's an inspiring story and inspiring song. As someone for whom Constantinople is near and dear, it brought tears to my eyes!

[@lopakacooper1668]

Whether it did happen or it did not, you gotta respect the Varangian Guard for their renowned loyalty and fidelity, not to mention the Varangians being seasoned warriors.

[@dimitriost.8896]

The now mythical Varaegergarde of our past but never forgotten Roman Empire, the tribute of Rus to Eastern Rome and the foundation of an eternal connection to the North

[@valverdeout2972]

Fantastic! More of these old norse songs please!

[@TheCatholicHastati]

more viking christan music please! i love this stuff goes with my mount and blade playthrough beautifully

[@Giorgos378]

Some people say that the Varangians were the same with the Rus people.

[@axdde6428]

@@Giorgos378 they were rus origginally then scandinavians came and lastly saxons

[@elsakristina2689]

As someone who’s interested in Old Swedish and its immediate successor Early Modern Swedish, this is amazing.

[@nikolajankovic6383]

Brilliant.. 🖐️ from Serbia.

[@iberius9937]

Excellent! Your level of creativity and infectious sense of melody and atmosphere is incredible.

[@lopakacooper1668]

Truly a empowering or invoking song of one’s ancestors…

[@normtrooper4392]

The western roman emperors could have only dreamed of soldiers as good and loyal as the Varangians

[@laisphinto6372]

they had good troops and great generals loyal tho ehhhhhhhhhhh...........

[@eleftheriosiliopoulos8796]

The empire stand still for 1100 years because using quality soldiers for every part of it

[@MelindaAnderssonEngstrom-dz4sl]

I am Swedish. It is so cool to hear the language of my forefathers! I am very interested in old Swedish but mostly from the 17th century and on. However I could understand some! What is so cool to me is the different verb forms, which are all lost in modern Swedish (we have the same form for all grammatical persons, unlike many languages including English to some extent). Some of them actually existed in formal writing until 1945! In this song they are shown in a more extreme and original form, but I could understand them as I am so obsessed with like 18th and 19th century Swedish, when they were more extensively used in writing. So cool work!

[@frederickiiprussia7699]

Varangians truly were a monumental component, and ever lasting reminder, of the power and loyalty that elite guards were capable of The medieval world may have been backwards in many ways but in just as many, it was ahead of its time

[@Spiror]

After so many years and centuries Varangians were like greek brothers and defenders of the eastern roman empire and the emperor…..

[@maximinc.6670]

I love this song so much, please make more like it. A suggestion might be something about Vinland? Leif Ericson was historically a Christian, something in the vein of his journey to and discovery of Vinland might be neat!

[@SkaldBard]

Yep, Leif is in the plans too! Cheers man, glad you like it

[@margelatutrandafirulgalben3156]

Leif Ericson was orthodox

[@branexch5067]

​@@margelatutrandafirulgalben3156 Orthodoxy is a sect of Christendom

[@MaurycyNejman]

amazing work as always

[@SkaldBard]

Thanks, friend

[@athalos8868]

I feel blessed that I stumbled upon this

[@unimaginative5352]

Man you're way underrated

[@SkaldBard]

Thank you, friend

[@TheJoppa99]

Yup, going to learn the lyrics so that I may know them by heart now.

[@n00bius]

We need more VG banger songs like this bro... Great work tbh

[@Korpen_1979]

Tack för denna! Greetings from Skåne in southmost Sweden

[@konopla9974]

I feel like this music gives me strength

[@danskerkonig]

I am a Danish Viking 🇩🇰 who lives in Ancyra! My ancestors emigrated to Constantinople, it really s*cks to live with turks! I Will Meet All My Scandinavian Brothers on My Own Land One Day! For Aryan-Nordic Blood!

[@Codreanu_Prezent]

I'm genuinely intrigued by this musical form. It is as if the spirit of many pasts are expressed and resurrected. Why are more not intrigued? Well, perhaps I should also ask what is gold without a search through the layers of the barren? Brighter shines the hidden gem.

[@lopakacooper1668]

A diamond in the rough, I’ll say!

[@WarDog793]

Superbly written and sung! Although I can't claim any of my Swedish ancestors adventured in what became the Ukraine or Constantinople, I can imagine with pride that, if the Varangian Guard had been present in May 1453, they would have died to a man defending the Emperor.

[@alexandarvoncarsteinzarovi3723]

One day we shall return, the banner of the Aquilla shall flutter in the winds,

[@monkelord7730]

Wow just found this channel just gotta say what gems these videos truly are, great work keep it up!

[@SkaldBard]

Thanks a lot, my friend! Means a lot

[@the_kimchi_kommandant2603]

Powerful song! It really felt as if I was there during the fall of the city, with the last of the Varangians chanting around me, axes held high for one final stand.

[@Gwynnfevar12]

Varangians is another name for Vikings living in Kievan state along the Dnipro river(modern day Ukraine). They also served in Byzantine, time to time. But also fought against it once.

[@faravid1045]

Really cool song!🤜 Skål!

[@benkoch9265]

Hope you're ready for an influx of views with the new For Honor hero coming out soon

[@1Pagus]

we want this in all its versions phonk-techno-metal-slow hail all varangians for greece.

[@moritamikamikara3879]

There were many of my people there among the Varangioi, I am proud of them for their honour and loyalty.

[@nakashihofanda5223]

Varangians are the greatest example of "Never judge a book by it's cover". Sure, they were mercenaries from a land far beyond the borders of the Byzantine Empire, but they were more loyal than most Romans. Were they Praetorians that stood by the Emperor's side as he fought for Constantinople? No. They were soldiers, although not Roman, with will stronger than the walls of the city and ready to die for the Emperor and his Roman Empire.

[@BeerBellyBerserker]

This was so good👏🤟

[@BARBARYAN.]

Great work brother

[@SkaldBard]

Thank you, friend

[@HangrySaturn]

This song is amazing.

[@willtherealgeorgemichaelpl5879]

Glory to the Guard from a Greek!!!!!!!!

[@FrozenReborn]

amazing song you have earned a subscriber

[@loslingos1232]

Amazing. Thanks.

[@sylvainduret9880]

Gentlemen, lets free Constantinople 🎉 !

[@charlesdarwin5185]

Turkey is still Anatolia under subjugation by Islamists.

[@eleftheriosiliopoulos8796]

@sylvainduret9880. Mysticism is the blood of every person.... if the prophecies of christian saints about the liberation of Constantinople could be called a kind of mysticism

[@victor7143]

Very nice, thanks from Norse France 🤝🏻🇨🇵

[@lopakacooper1668]

Frankish? I’d presume?

[@stoneg.barrow9991]

​@@lopakacooper1668More like Normandy, I'd gather.

[@victor7143]

​@@stoneg.barrow9991yes I'm from Normandy

[@victor7143]

​@@lopakacooper1668 Yes

[@simontenkate9601]

Detta är väl bra gjort. Tack så mycket!

[@SkaldBard]

Ingen fara, tack!

[@tabiat1995]

As a Turk, I was very impressed by the song, it was as if I felt that period and heard the voice of the Varangians fighting for Constantinople.

[@civis_civitatis]

Great music,dude !!

[@SkaldBard]

Thanks, friend!

[@johnbatesibusquets8290]

This inspired me to draw a picture of Varangians. I love this song.

[@balintmolnar5153]

Incredible good!

[@evanf.4801]

i like to believe there were varangians there, they were there to the last when romanos iv was captured

[@Briselance]

Interesting to notice that so many words of old Swedish are so similar to modern-day German and English.

[@ZecaPinto1]

Some are not that old, but borrowings

[@uberfeel]

Yeah, because Swedes, Germans and Anglo saxons are related to each other by ethnicity

[@semsem3083]

I’m a Turk but that’s some epic stuff right here

[@7Nicolaseven]

Based and beautiful.

[@toyfoxy-rq4ee]

For anyone ho is new here,this was number 1 on this chanal.

[@SecretPersonComment]

It sounds like two songs combined.

[@Nerdskov]

You have a lot of Orthodox Christian references in your songs between the Varangians to old Norse Hymns. Are you an Orthodox Christian?

[@SkaldBard]

Hey there, I'm actually Catholic, only I have a real soft spot for the Orthodox/eastern tradition and aesthetics

[@EnToutoiNika]

@@SkaldBard Greetings from an Orthodox Greek-Romanian!

[@SkaldBard]

Γειά σου!

[@damianrobinson4895]

@@SkaldBard You should dive a little deeper into the Orthodox faith. From your music, you seem to be someone who values loftiness and glory. Once you realize how different the Orthodox understanding is from the Roman Catholic one, of what God intends for us to be and what we really mean to Him, I don't think you will be able to go back! ;)

[@siervodedios5952]

​​@@damianrobinson4895Theosis, right? I know Orthodoxy and Eastern Catholicism teaches it too. I'm on the fence between Eastern Catholicism and East Orthodoxy. Kyrie Eleison!

[@silesianpatriot.]

Your songs sound so good, which programms are u exactly using and are is it your voice alone or are there more people behind it?

[@SkaldBard]

Hey, thanks! I just use an app called BandLab, and everything you hear is me (bouzouki, all the voices etc). Thanks for the support!

[@silesianpatriot.]

@@SkaldBard Just keep up your work. You Inspired me to work on a Silesian folk song ;)

[@SkaldBard]

@@silesianpatriot. awesome, subbed ;-)

[@thespaceman8746]

You know i really wanna know where to even learn these kind of languages in the first place. Like i know theres a Discord server for old English and probably some groups of people who teach it but i’ve never found anything for Norse/Old Swedish.

[@enderwarlord3226]

Αφού πέφτει η πόλη μου, θα πέσω κι εγώ μαζί τηε

[@stovolbelinche3178]

WE FALL WITH BRUDER IN ARMS MEIN KOMARADEN FOR THE HOLY CAUSE

[@DonCorleoneGR]

Thank you for the song my friend, I have been enjoying it for some time now. Very nice voice, tone, lyrics, I would love if it were a bit more clear? It kinda sounds as if it was recorded in older times. Great job nonetheless!

[@SkaldBard]

Thanks, friend. I do need to invest in some actual recording equipment!

[@iberius9937]

Dare I say I prefer this raw, faster, original version to the more polished remake??

[@Fulkvidr]

Mycket bra!!!!!

[@LuciaSims745]

The voice from the man singing (not the refrain) the other parts, his voice sounds like a real swede 🥰😍😍 his voice reminds me of the same swedish voice which sings aladdin the tjuv, den fräcka. Where Alladin sings and is fleeing all the time. The voice is similar and sounds really lovely 😍🥰😍😍🥰🥰❤🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪

[@Criss207]

As a german i think its very intresting that i can understand some words

[@doomer64-ky5po]

becouse swedish is a germanic langauge

[@Criss207]

Thanks nice to now👍

[@InAeternumRomaMater]

Swedes were also the Rus', the last remaining true Rus' of the Viking age🇸🇪

[@skybluesbolognese58]

With this One we are getting out of the siege of Constantipole 🗣️🗣️🗣️🔥🔥🔥 Now really,this hit harder than the Mehemed cannon All haip t'ho the varangians

[@MatthewWilliams-jj3ue]

I wouldn't let no one around my family that was like that when i was growing up

[@toyfoxy-rq4ee]

Dis shit is fire! No puns atended

[@myrtov4225]

The part of Wi aerom wæriare sounds like an Hepirus song

[@cossackbrotherhood5772]

varangian still exist during fall of constantinople?

[@SkaldBard]

Probably not, but possibly!

[@willtherealgeorgemichaelpl5879]

Yes, of course. They were the personal guard of the emperor.

[@jimmin190]

Think you could make an old Swedish version of Turias "The March of the Varangian Guard"?

[@kompisen3440]

As a Swede I can’t really understand a word but it sounds kind of similar to Icelandic

[@CallMeConnell]

Ek ꝼugir þæt... Miklagarðr, Gardaiki

[@stovolbelinche3178]

REMEMBER THE SWEWDISH GUARDS OF CRISTIANTIY

[@user-ri8oh2bq4x]

As a greek girl who lives in Constantinople ,i feel disappointed tbh "we will not simply give up the city" :( but you all did... (maybe not simply)

[@lopakacooper1668]

Tbh, I don’t think they gave up the city, but merely died *defending* it…

[@PanzertruppenLeopard_1]

does anyone have the lyrics?

[@mjrusvarvik3486]

I am not Swedish but I had the occasion to hear a lot of Swedish and I have never heard this "w" pronounciation in Swedish. Is there any Swede here who can tell me if this pronounciation still exists nowadays ?

[@SkaldBard]

It's now "v" in Rikssvenska but certain dialects like Elfdalian retain the "w"

[@yuri_andropov6973]

Skandinavíu yfir allir

[@henrikwindelius1953]

where can i learn these old languages?

[@emiliodepalma54]

To my knowledge W was never pronounced as a W in older Swedish, but as an ordinary V. It was just a stylistic way of writing.

[@SkaldBard]

It preserved the /w/ phone from ON much longer than the other languages and is still preserved in several Swedish dialects

[@emiliodepalma54]

@@SkaldBard The only accent I can think of that has such a sound today is Västervik.

[@SkaldBard]

@@emiliodepalma54 The Dalecarnian dialects do, as did Skåne, Halland, Västergötland and south of Bohuslän into the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries

[@francisdec1615]

@@SkaldBard It still exists on the island Orust close to where I live, even if most speakers are >85 now. It exists on some islands near Göteborg and even existed in the city itself just a few decades ago. Working class people in Strömmensberg, just 3 km from the city center, spoke like that.