Varangian Guard: Brothers of the North Sea [Old English/Old Norse/Medieval Greek] | The Skaldic Bard

Here is another song I wrote and performed (with my wife), this time in Old English, Old Norse and Mediaeval/Byzantine Greek. The use of Old English in conjunction with Old Norse is to illustrate the fact that at this point in history, the Varangian Guard was primarily made up of Anglo-Saxon warriors who fled England after the Norman Conquest, as well as Scandinavians. The Greek is adapted from Anna Komneni’s Alexiad in which she discusses the Varangians who were in her father Alexios’s service.
The song details the events of the Battle of Beroia fought by Byzantine Emperor John II Komnenos against the Pechenegs in 1122. The Emperor was forced to cut an expedition east short when the Pechenegs attacked in the north of the empire from beyond the Danube. The Pechenegs camped in a deep depression near Beroia (modern Stara Zagora), and their defence proved very hard to break down. Their horseback archers proved too effective against the Emperor’s men - until he called upon the elite and heavily armed Varangian Guard, who, in a mighty push, broke down the defences and forced the Pechenegs to flee.
I hope you enjoy.
My intention is exclusively to teach history and languages through song. I do not condone, endorse or seek to glorify violence.
I do not own any of the artworks in this video - they have been selected for educational purposes. All credit goes to the original artists and I would be happy to remove them if so required
Follow me on Spotify (The Skaldic Bard): open.spotify.c...
If you'd like to support my work, you can do so here: www.buymeacoff.... Thank you for your kindness.
Lyrics:
[Old Norse]
Norðr handan um Duná
þaðan ríðr lið Tyrkja.
Jóann garðkonungr várr
óttask hvárki ǫr né sár.
[Old English]
On fǣrsēaþe wīciaþ hīe,
on Iōhannes landum pīe!
Sē Cāsere mid searwe
þæt fæsten ārāfian wile.
[Old Norse]
Garðkonungr ofrar ljúgsátt
þá biðr herinn sǿkja at.
Tók þá til orrosta hǫrð
ok blóð helltisk út á jǫrð.
[Old English]
Fela forwearþ Rōmāna
flānum rīdendra sċyttena.
Ofercumne sind eallenga
ōþ Iōhannes ċīeġþ Wærgengan!
[Mediaeval Greek]
Οἱ ἐκ τῆς Θούλης Βάραγγοι
ἐπὶ τῶν ὤμων τὰ ξίφη κραδαίνοντες
οὐδὲ ψιλὸν πάντως ἀνέξονται
περὶ προδοσίας λόγον
[Old English]
Sunne ofer þone wang rīst.
Þā Wærgengan, on beadwe þrīst,
cweċċende brādæxa
siġe nōmon æt Beroia!
[Old Norse]
Sǿkja þeir at fjándunum
Guðr á sinnum Væringjum
Keisaranum eiðinn efna
sigrsælir við Beroia!
[Old English]
Sē hildewōma cwōm.
On heortan nis nān swicdōm.
Mid sīdrandum ġehæfnum
āsċūfaþ wē hīe eallum mihtum.
[Old Norse]
Á hlið Jóani í svarfi
vegum vér sem berserkir.
Leggjum bogmenn at velli
ok á Tyrkjum áfelli.
[Old English]
Ēalā! Hū hīe wyrċaþ flēam!
On heallum biþ medudrēam!
Forþ, Wærgengan, on siġewang!
Unfordyt is ūre forþgang!
[Old Norse]
Brǿðr erum norðrsjóvar
einskonar eiðs, blóðs ok trúar.
Fyrir sakir Miklagarðs
lifa ok deyja Væringjar!
[Mediaeval Greek]
…πάτριον παράδοσιν καὶ οἷον παρακαταθήκην..
…καὶ κλῆρον τὴν εἰς τοὺς αὐτοκράτορας πίστιν…
…ἄλλος ἐξ ἄλλου διαδεχόμενοι…
[Old English]
Sunne ofer þone wang rīst.
Þā Wærgengan, on beadwe þrīst,
cweċċende brādæxa
siġe nōmon æt Beroia!
[Old Norse]
Sǿkja þeir at fjándunum
Guðr á sinnum Væringjum
Keisaranum eiðinn efna
sigrsælir við Beroia!
[Old English]
Sunne ofer þone wang rīst.
Þā Wærgengan, on beadwe þrīst,
cweċċende brādæxa
siġe nōmon æt Beroia!
[Old Norse]
Sǿkja þeir at fjándunum
Guðr á sinnum Væringjum
Keisaranum eiðinn efna
sigrsælir við Beroia!
[Mediaeval Greek]
…Κλῆρος…
…Πῐ́στῐς…
Please do not redistribute my work without permission. Feel free to email me with any inquiries!

[@SkaldBard]

Here is another song I wrote and performed (with my wife), this time in Old English, Old Norse and Mediaeval/Byzantine Greek. The use of Old English in conjunction with Old Norse is to illustrate the fact that at this point in history, the Varangian Guard was primarily made up of Anglo-Saxon warriors who fled England after the Norman Conquest, as well as Scandinavians. The Greek is adapted from Anna Komneni’s Alexiad in which she discusses the Varangians who were in her father Alexios’s service. The song details the events of the Battle of Beroia fought by Byzantine Emperor John II Komnenos against the Pechenegs in 1122. The Emperor was forced to cut an expedition east short when the Pechenegs attacked the north of the empire from beyond the Danube. The Pechenegs camped in a deep depression near Beroia (modern Stara Zagora) and their defence proved very hard to break down. Their horseback archers proved too effective against the Emperor’s men - until he called upon the elite and heavily armed Varangian Guard, who, in a mighty push, broke down the defences and forced the Pechenegs to flee. I hope you enjoy! Please like, subscribe and share as it really helps the channel. If you would like, you can also support me by donating at www.buymeacoffee.com/theskaldicbard. Many thanks and God bless! Lyrics in description. My intention is exclusively to teach history and languages through song. I do not condone, endorse or seek to glorify violence.

[@St-lucifer-96]

Trust me lad we English have Anglo Saxon blood run through us like a warm spring the Normandy bloodline died out in England that's a common fact not trying to argue with you or anything it's just that we English are still here are ancestors didn't fled because if they did we white native Anglo Saxon English people wouldn't be here today the French would be but there not and yes we had that french Muppet as a king at one point in time but trust me we don't see him as one of are king because he french plus we English invaded France countless time France only invaded England once and trust me they got lucky with that one but they failed miserably countless time when it come to us English invaded them the point I'm trying to make is that we English are DNA English Anglo Saxon and that will never change we no who we are who are ancestors are and where we came from and brilliant video love hearing old English and old Norse you have a talent and 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿❤️⚔️👍🏻

[@curnonmitto]

Is it OK to download your songs into social networks to form a playlist? It would be good to be able to listen it not only in KZbin.

[@SkaldBard]

@@curnonmitto Hey mate, my songs can be bought on Amazon and I'm also on music streaming services like Spotify

[@curnonmitto]

​@@SkaldBard well Spotify is not really working in Russia, I'll try Amazon maybe it's working.

[@alexandr592]

А можно выложить текст полностью на английском языке? Буду очень благодарен

[@faryafaraji]

Amazing work as always my friend, I love the main melody

[@SkaldBard]

Hey man, good to hear from you - and thanks a lot, appreciate the kind words!

[@NorwegianSedevacantist]

Yo its FaryaFaraji, the guy who made a cool version of Psalm 135.

[@LapoRatu]

Oh My God The Legend Comments

[@losgatosboi9880]

Ay, you two should probably collab, would be awesome to hear.

[@DelendaCarthagoEst]

Everyone gangster until Iohannes calls the Varangians

[@lopakacooper1668]

All fun and games until the men of foreign lands from the Northern parts start biting their broad shields and roaring in their guttural language in a berserk frenzy…

[@Gray-Wolf-024]

It's all fun and games until the Byzantine Berserkers show up

[@vazhasilagadze9745]

Everyone gangster until georgians fuckedup varangians 😂😂

[@giuseppegaribaldi5198]

Varangians are gangsters until Seljuks comes :D

[@mohandaskaramchandshakur2772]

@@giuseppegaribaldi5198 seljuks go gangsters until Franks showed up from nowhere and runs 1vs100 barking and gesticulating into tin cans then Mongols show them all who is Daddy

[@bottleknight5463]

This is getting out of hand, hes bumped the number of languages up to 3 in one song! In seriousness, damn fine work skald, i can scarcely imagine how much hard work has to go into doing this stuff, and we appreciate it, man. Keep on rocking!

[@SkaldBard]

Haha yeah, can't lie, it is pretty exhausting - but I much appreciate your kind words, my friend

[@FrozenMermaid666]

I’m obsessed with Norse and Icelandic and the other Norse / Germanic / Nordic, so these songs with pretty melody are a great way to learn new words and structures - nice to finally see the hvárki / né (neither / nor) in action!

[@njord-krakenarnesson5096]

Absolutely beautiful song, that honors the brave people of the North, that fought and died for the Byzantium Empire the last Roman Empire. Elit Bodyguards comprised of Christians and Pagans (not publicly however), united as one by Oath and Faith to the Emporer, an Oath that passed down from father to son. United as children of the North, like the Brotherhood at Jomsborg, Anglo-Saxon, Norse, Goth, Swede, Dane and Rus & Slav. Even if faiths divided them, they are children of the North Sea. Together with the Brave soldiers of Byzantium, they defended the last of the mighty Rome. Plus you deserve over a million subscribers for this song alone, hope you have it good.

[@robinrehlinghaus1944]

The ERE wasn't the last - HRE, Napoleon's Empire...

[@cmd7930]

@@robinrehlinghaus1944they weren’t roman. Roman empire died in Constantinople

[@robinrehlinghaus1944]

@@cmd7930 Give me a definition of 'Romanity' for that.

[@charliecharliewhiskey9403]

@@robinrehlinghaus1944 There's a genuine difference. The State that was Rome expanded out to the East, and then split itself after moving its political centre to constantinople. The part in the east, the ERE, was literally the Roman Empire, in the same way that your family is still your family even after you move house. The western half collapsed, and suffered significant changes in culture and leadership by foreign powers. The law changed. There were still vestiges, sure, after the new rulers realised it might be beneficial to pander to Roman history, but it was no longer the Roman Empire. What DID remain in the west was the Papacy, and yes they have a direct link back to Rome, but they weren't "The Roman Empire", they were a primarily religious body. They needed allies, protection, and wanted to spread their ideas. So they started acting *as if* they had the right to say "yep, these Germans, they're very pious, they're the new Roman Empire". The HRE wasn't Roman, it was just Roman Catholic. It emulated Rome, but it wasn't the Roman Empire. The same goes for Napoleon, the jumped up evil fool. Just because an empire makes callbacks to one of the most powerful empires in history doesn't mean they actually are that thing. But the Byzantines, they genuinely were the Roman Empire.

[@SkaldBard]

Thanks so much for the nice comment, my friend!

[@Bakarost]

The greek woman singing was great touch, all three worlds meshing great. Her pov being the greek pov of the brothers of the north sea

[@gregoryheers2633]

That's what I thought! that it was a Greek woman, given how flawless her pronunciation is! But the Skaldic Bard says in his description that it's his wife... So, either his wife is Greek, or else for some reason she is very well acquainted with the Greek language...

[@servantofaeie1569]

​@@gregoryheers2633His wife is Polish

[@gregoryheers2633]

@@servantofaeie1569 Oh, okay, thank you for clarifying!

[@Bakarost]

@@servantofaeie1569 i ment in the song, the story is a greek woman singing

[@HyperboreanJihad]

Also a nice touch when she calls them from Thule since the ancient Greeks thought there was an island called Thule in the far north full of giants and most of the Varangians would have been a decent bit taller than the Byzantines on average

[@alexanderwhittaker5855]

All I can say is... wow. I always enjoy your old English pieces the most (it's the only one I'm even mildly proficient in), but the combination with Old Norse and Byzantine Greek? What an effect. I can't think of a single song you've made where you haven't received praise, but this is easily one of the most deserving. I can't wait to see what you do next!

[@SkaldBard]

Ic þancie þe, broþor :-)

[@Mihalos93]

Brilliant! I used to think that the song "Slayers of the Huns" was your biggest work because they sang in two languages at once, but this song struck me even more. Thank you to your team for your efforts. Your music brings something new to the vastness of KZbin, which, if it was possible to meet before you, it was extremely rare. With the warmest wishes to you from Russia.

[@SkaldBard]

Большое спасибо, мой друг - and I wish I had a team, I must say ;-) but the wife brings me cups of tea while I'm making them, close enough

[@Npc1488-wc1kf]

Russia isnt my enemy Globalism is

[@iberius9937]

Amazing music, imagery and vocals by yourself and your wife!! How no one has made a high quality film about the Varangian guard is beyond me. Hearing you perform in three historical languages is always a joy!

[@Npc1488-wc1kf]

Our history erased and our people replaced, and you are really shocked at that?

[@brandonchdib5380]

As a English guy with German,Scandinavian and Greek ancestry that served in the Greek Cypriot army this slaps

[@SkaldBard]

Man's a real life Wærgenga

[@brandonchdib5380]

@@vladimpaler4689 ancestors of the celts and the italic peoples migrated into the areas around southern Germany and the alps (then splitting into the distinct Celtic and Latin cultures) and moved west to Gaul around the same time as the proto Germanic culture/language group was forming in Jutland, Scandinavia and northern Germany, those that became the Germanic peoples I heard were more influenced by the pre-indo European language in the area which is why Germanic languages are more of a outlier in the family group, but obviously due to contact with the Celtic,italic,and balto Slavic groups they again gained or in a sense regained some indo European words, but in general all European languages share a similar story (especially Greek with the hypothetically pellagasian or pre Greek Greek language ) im a bit autistic when it comes to history, especially Germanic history because like you said it’s the majority of my ancestry (also realised I went on a weird tangent lol)

[@brandonchdib5380]

@@vladimpaler4689 yea the Belgae were seen as the “transition” between celtic and Germanic people, due to it being on the border(Rhein), Indo Europeans as a people were all white or Caucasian (obv because they came from the caucuses) and when the indo aryans went south they formed the ruling class in those areas and or supplanted the native populations but in India’s case due to it having a large native population the newcomers really assimilated dna wise into the society bar from the ruling and priest class (Brahmans I think they call it) which was quite rigid in Indian society

[@brandonchdib5380]

@@vladimpaler4689 just want to make clear I don’t believe there is any inherent superior traits in any particular people, they were all built to be suited to their environment (Africans being dark skinned to protect against the sun and northern peoples like north East Asians and Europeans for the opposite effect) But more so the culture that affects a peoples rise or fall TLDR, some cultures can be seen as “superior” but race wise I personally don’t believe so

[@user-df4kf6fg7h]

@@vladimpaler4689 OK, after objectively examining all the available info: 1) "Aryan" was originally used by Indo-Iranians themselves. So "Iran" means "Kingdom of Indo-Iranians". Nothing more, nothing less. It's an ethnic name, not some bigger racial category. Yes, they were almost certainly white, but that does not prove the word was ever used for other whites outside the Indo-Iranian ethnicity. 2) Persian and Indian literature and myths are *massive*, you can cherry pick any and all symbolism you want out of it. 3) Going form "Ur" and "Ar" to "Aryan" is the biggest stretch in the world. It's a single freaking syllable. "Muscogee" has more similarity to "Muscovy", I guess that means that Native American tribe are secretly white Slavs! 4) "Archaeological evidence"? Where? All you used was attempt at names and myths. And I don't care if the Jews have any archeology about their history or not, this is about *your* claims. 5) "All civilizations"? Then I'm curious about the "white origin" of Egyptian and especially East Asian (Chinese/Korean/Japanese) civilizations?

[@stevethegrandmarshall9916]

You're a legend, Skaldic. Three languages in one song? Epic. Just epic, and your wife's part is amazing I've listened to so many of these I can actually tell the difference between Old English and Old Norse

[@SkaldBard]

Haha, good stuff! Thanks for the ongoing support, buddy, really appreciate it

[@joefalko3756]

Imagine being a Turkic Invader, you’ve gotten used to fighting the Byzantines over the centuries, and all of a sudden a new unit forms with tall blonde guys in foreign helmets, huge round shields and comically huge axes, and they won’t run like the rest of the army and they always take down a huge part of your army before they die

[@krakart8181]

I started listening to your songs recently, and not gonna lie, your songs give me the boost I need at the gym!

[@SkaldBard]

Must admit, part of the reason I make them is to fuel my own workouts lel. Glad you like them!

[@Npc1488-wc1kf]

The gym owner plays deathcore crap and the stick figures all play shitty cRap Its oppressive

[@eindalton2638]

I've also lifted to Skaldic Bard songs, so I can understand.

[@NorthSeaAssociation]

Brothers of the North Sea forever ❤🔥 One of your best songs so far!👌

[@Anglisc1682]

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@Angle-saxon-94]

@@Anglisc1682🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿❤️✝️⚔️✊🏻

[@mozzarella_boyy7779]

For me, this one and the new Alfred the great song are your absolute best bangers, can't stop listening to them!

[@SkaldBard]

Awesome to hear! Thanks

[@agentbimlo4555]

No way i mean this is my favorite song so far i just simply love it so much. The fun fact is that this song dropped out while i was in the gym and i listened it right there and i just simply felt like all of my 3 ancestors related to this song helped me out. Keep doing what you do because you’re the best at it!

[@SkaldBard]

Legend. Glad to hear it, my friend

[@servantofaeie1569]

Are you of English, Norse, and Greek heritage?

[@TheSwissObserver27]

An exam day was made better with a little notification from the legendary Skaldic Bard, to which I thank you ;) Awesome song and I love the return of the Old Norse and a lovely Greek addition!

[@SkaldBard]

Hope it went well, my man!

[@TheSwissObserver27]

@@SkaldBard Appreciate it!

[@finiangsheehan]

I grew up, very near where I live now, in rural southern Ireland. I heard Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd when I was 16 and the music blew my mind! I'm 62 and now these songs are doing the same thing! I've never taken any drugs, never felt I needed any! Music is my stimulant. These songs are unbelievable! Please keep them coming!

[@SkaldBard]

This is awesome, thanks a lot - really pleased you're enjoying them.

[@gabriels6795]

I'm half northern English and half Greek. This is now my training anthem hahaha

[@Demiancreed]

Waos

[@TruekingoftheLeinstermen]

The amount of languages you and your wife can speak is impressive

[@z-mkgaming7464]

What an incredible song. I thought the English Varangians was good, but this absolutely blows it out of the water. A hammering beat and brilliant vocals, keep it up mate!

[@SkaldBard]

Appreciate it!

[@UltimaThulean]

My brother, Another masterpiece..another testament..to the sacrosanct blood of our kindred. I had been struggling..a few months ago, you galvanized me... Thank you brother. And hail to your loved ones

[@SkaldBard]

Keep the strength, my man, and may God bless you

[@4TheWinQuinn]

You know what… I really appreciate the rythm switch you used for the Greek sections! It sounds so close to the orthodox hymns I know. I could almost see it being carried on the wind over the rooftops of Constantinople…Yep you absolutely smashed it out the park with this one and I really wish I could show it to an old Varangian guard or Byzantine soldier !!!!

[@Shiroiji]

English-Viking-Byzantine friendship is strong 🇬🇷🇳🇴🇮🇸🇬🇧💪

[@njord-krakenarnesson5096]

You forget the Faroe Islands🇫🇴, Denmark🇩🇰, and Sweden🇸🇪, among your flags.

[@AthelstansSuccessor]

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 not 🇬🇧

[@Angle-saxon-94]

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿✊🏻👍🏻

[@franckvermont1926]

Lets take back Istanbul !

[@jiaxunliu8181]

@@franckvermont1926No, it is Constantinople!

[@ragingsmurfling7205]

Haven't even listened yet and I know it's going to be fantastic! Go from listening to Old Norse music and the notification for a new Skaldic Bard song comes up.

[@mark13prepper]

God bless you and your wife and thank you for making songs such as this. The Old English, Old Norse, and Greek being used together is something beautiful.

[@sirlag4854]

This is a masterpiece. A vigorous song and also the lyrics sung by your wife are enchanting. Awesome work, Skald

[@SkaldBard]

Thank you very much, friend

[@sunkan_dunkan_]

Easily your best work yet, love the percussion on this one! Pass my compliments on to your wife for such angelic singing!

[@Hu55ar]

This has to be the most ambitious song you've composed, and you and lady skald are both really good singers, I love the duality of the languages, rather trilogy of languages now, I love the quality and the badassness to go along with your songs, can't wait to see what you do next!

[@SkaldBard]

Thanks a lot, my friend! I think my wife is rather taken with the name "Lady Skald" now ;-)

[@JorgeTrejo23]

Such a brilliant piece! I absolutely loved the language combination. Makes me think about how it must’ve been back then.

[@krakenmckraken9128]

Quickly becoming my favorite KZbinr and I mean that genuinely.

[@SkaldBard]

High praise, my friend - thank you

[@xristospalaiokostas8903]

Brilliant song, congratulations for your excellent work, this song honouring the memory every Scandinavian and Anglo-Saxon warrior who served in the Varangian Guard under the banner of my ancestors.

[@Hoshinosaull]

Irish-English-AlsoPolishSpeaking man cooked us another masterpiece. 🎉. Thanks!

[@SkaldBard]

Hah, you're welcome! Thanks for the support

[@Anastasis-is-here]

This is insane, you deserve millions of views

[@SkaldBard]

Thanks a lot, friend

[@la_cervoiserie.]

It's rare that I comment and like on KZbin... but your works deserve to be recognized. When you close your eyes and listen to the music you literally travel through time. You relive these forgotten episodes through time. I'm impatiently waiting for a work in Old Frankish 😉 Signed by a Belgian soldier and history buff

[@SkaldBard]

Much appreciate you taking the time to comment in that case, my friend, and thank you for the edifying words! Still trying to dig up enough resources on Frankish but it's definitely on the cards ;-)

[@LAC03098]

@@SkaldBardthere’s hardly any surviving scripts of anything in that region until old Dutch (still very few) so I think your best route would be reconstructions and a bit of lyrical implications

[@samueldamuel1689]

for how many languages being dealt with here, this is scarily good, you should keep on doing these sorts of ideas

[@SkaldBard]

Thanks, my friend

[@paulliston8561]

another moving and powerful masterpiece. Excellent vocals by you and your wife. Thank you!

[@Historiaefecatolica]

This guy is a True artist.

[@paulovictor4018]

ele é mesmo, obrigado por me apresentar o trabalho dele, Lorenzo

[@LSEXTON]

Beautiful mix of language and voices. Amazing work! Love it!

[@SkaldBard]

Many thanks!

[@WGGplant]

The call-and-answer rhythm between OE and ON is super catchy. It really sounds like a war cadence. And I love the modern liberties taken in the poetry, OE poetry (and i assume ON) didnt really rhyme, they mostly used rhythm and alliteration, but this format make it much more attractive to the modern ear.

[@SkaldBard]

Yep, that's absolutely right! Alliteration is far more authentic (though there is evidence of rhyme in both OE and ON), but my aim isn't necessarily to be authentic (at least not with everything I do), rather to create things that suit my own style/are appealing to other modern listeners

[@WGGplant]

@@SkaldBard very cool

[@ukaszkarwacki6639]

It's so good I find it difficult to put in words. The 3 languages used make it so unique. Hope to hear more Greek on this channel in the future!

[@SkaldBard]

Thank you, brother! Will try to get more Greek in :-)

[@alphaundpinsel2431]

I have been listening to your songs (especially the germanic ones) for the past hour during my workout, the effect is splendid, thank you, Skaldic bard

[@SkaldBard]

Based. Glad you enjoyed, my friend

[@Alex-up8pg]

Absolutely beautiful, you and your wife can sing amazingly with wonderful lyrics. Can't wait for more

[@LAC03098]

Might have to change my favourite song after this one, by far the best creation of yours. The tune is perfect for the story. Loved the mono of the different languages, helped show the difference of these men. Also loved that your wife lead the Greek part seeing as you got that from a woman. Amazing as always God Bless

[@SkaldBard]

Appreciate the thoughtful comment, and spot on with the Greek observation! Cheers, God bless

[@lordcomandantesolartontopo435]

I've been binge-hearing this one for a week. Bloody brilliant.

[@VenomVaxo]

This is awesome! I love it! I really love your music! You have such a talent! May God help you in your creativity!

[@bugrahanduymaz3159]

scyttena = archers on back scyttena = Scythians I love languages and the music created by them. This is a true gem people, we need to produce more and more music like this. Please keep them coming!

[@TOFEK-pg8ti]

Yep fr bc the scythians are the ones who invented this art of comabt

[@whocares7633]

Прекрасная работа, отправляю вам благодарность из места, которое раньше называлось Гардарики

[@josephbrown1153]

Absolutely epic to have three languages in one song. It really does work beautifully and I really enjoyed it. I've also now started to imagine what a multilingual song about the Battle of Brunanburh in 937 would look like.

[@SkaldBard]

Actually a great idea

[@Highwayman32]

I wish someone would make a film about the Varangian Guard. That way we could hear this song at the cinema...

[@johnbatesibusquets8290]

This is definitely one of your best compositions I think! It doesn't fail to inspire me every time I listen to it! The drums, the various languages, the whole style is great! The story also simply brings the whole thing to another level. Keep it up!

[@SkaldBard]

Awesome to hear, thanks!

[@yamatosimmons7071]

Beautiful song. It is great to hear ancient tongue used in song in the modern age. Wonderful work to you and your wife!

[@jackal192]

A formidable male warrior begins to sing, following a hymn that could only be sung by a winged shieldmaiden angel. I am not exaggerating when I say that this song is a masterpiece. Iam obsessed with this and listening to it non stop while going to school. We need more people like you like farya faraji and only odin knows how many good singers there are not known much. Thank you so much for this.

[@PenSpice7]

My wife now thinks I have autism because I'll only listen to you, Skald, along w/ Miracle Aligner & Farya Faraji! I'm so out of place in this world!

[@iberius9937]

I also listen to almost nothing but Farya and Skaldic Bard, these days! Miracle Aligner's music I've listened to the least.

[@Ianiosos]

It's the same with me but I'm just a kid😁😁😁

[@alphaundpinsel2431]

you probably do...

[@MarshallTheArtist]

I'm autistic and suspect that your wife is correct.

[@GrosseFlotte]

Are you sure this you're wife?

[@Lukemacleary]

Your work is like a musical version of Tolkien; both works give us "Westerners" a modern interpretation of our cultural story. Music should be a far more common medium, for learning language and history. -From a US citizen with German-Celtic background: Thank you for presenting our history in such an engaging way!

[@SkaldBard]

Thanks for the thoughtful comment and the very humbling comparison! Much appreciated, glad you're enjoying it

[@Lukemacleary]

​@@SkaldBard Scaoil amach do cheoil os cionn do chairde is chlann mar na gaoithe sa spéir

[@brockpaine]

This is one of my favorite of your original compositions. Well done!

[@lahostiaeseldead]

And I thought that two languages in one song was already nuts. Now we have three, and with beautiful lyrics! Great job, Skald!

[@KiernanRenaud]

Man its very impressive you make songs with this quality in such a short time

[@jimmin190]

This is epic, been trying to sing along with it but it is tough you guys did an awesome job on this song as well as "The Last Varangians". Hope to see more in the future.

[@evangelosnikitopoulos]

Just discovered your channel. Really great stuff! I'd love to hear more Medieval Greek. Maybe parts of the Digenis Akritas epic? There's a part where Digenis saves the maiden, would make a great duet!

[@Bjorn_Algiz]

Hail! Powerful piece brother 😮 may everyone here listen to your work with open ears. ❤

[@dries2999]

Briljant mate 😊 Tel your partner that your songs are beautiful Plus it always comes at the perfect time

[@TzarTzarevich777]

Legendary trio of a Norseman, Anglo-Saxon and a Romaiois (Roman).

[@TzarTzarevich777]

This is the best trio ever, don't try to change my mind

[@jackwhitehead5233]

​@@TzarTzarevich777facts

[@georged.5595]

The trio is legendary but jsyk Romaioi is the plural, singular would be Romaios.

[@TzarTzarevich777]

sorry, just sometime I see the Romaioi without the s sometimes with it, thanks for correcting me@@georged.5595

[@robertmastnak581]

Amazing music, sound, vocals... Very well done.

[@DamnYouDamnMe]

Chills. Great work, man!

[@sallycardew785]

My favourite so far. Haunting and beautifully put together and performed

[@antoniogivaldri5184]

Just found this, I listened to 1 minute, and I instantly subscribed, amazing stuff!

[@keighlancoe5933]

We are long overdue a big budget movie that follows a band of Anglo-Saxon and Viking Varangians on some kind of madcap adventure across the Empire. All the dialogue must be in authentic Old English, Norse & Greek though otherwise there's no point.

[@casonwilliamson4556]

An artistic mix of the languages! I love this!

[@AthelstansSuccessor]

Amazing! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@Igor-my6ml]

This is one of the most awesome things I have ever heard.

[@drtimothydaly]

That switch to Greek

[@byzansimp]

Some much needed appreciation for the Battle of Beroia! Thanks for the song, from an enjoyer of Ioannes II Komnenos and the Varangians of Thule!

[@ЕгорФедоренко-б4н]

Thank you for another masterpiece !

[@SladeWilder1683Hussar]

Ultra Based, your wife and yourself make the most excellent of duos

[@kristiangg4263]

yet again amaizing song! I really enjoy listening to your songs! Keep up the great work

[@SkaldBard]

Thanks, mate! I do have some Bulgarian planned as I know you've been asking, just in case you were wondering ;-)

[@kristiangg4263]

@@SkaldBard thank you very much that makes me very happy! I guarantee you that i will continue supporting you

[@Space_Celt]

Holy shit. Your songs make my blood pump like nothing else. Well met🤘🏼🪓🛡️❤️‍🔥

[@MrWhite-fm4lj]

An other Idea fo a next song could be one sung in Norman-French about the Normans of Normandy. P.S. This song here by the way was beautiful (As always) i really enjoyed it , the greek language strain was a touch of class 😉

[@aseris8024]

I hail Varangians. I hail them from the old capital, Constantinople. Bravery will never be forgotten. Loyal lions of the old Emperors, their names will live forever. Lots have changed, but not all. Byzantine Emperors were so lucky to have them, host them in my city. I thank you both husband and wife for this masterpiece.

[@Fact-fiend_1000ASMR.]

Can someone answer this question: Are there any differences between Byzantine and Koine Greek? Like grammar, for instance?

[@wiseguygr]

First of all the language on the video comes from Anna Komnene as stated in the description, she was the daughter of Emperor Alexios, she is know for her literary work called Alexiad thats about her father. The language she uses is actually a more archaic version of Greek even for her time. Writers ever since late antiquity and the Middle Ages were trying to mimick the language of Ancient Athenian writers(Plato, Aristotle, Xenophone, Thucydides etc) (They were writing in the Attic Greek dialect). Now Koine Greek(which is also the language of the Bible) was a common(koine) form of the Greek language that was adopted in the broader area of the Eastern Mediterranean after the conquests of Alexander the Great and the establishment of Greek Kingdoms in Egypt, Syria, Persia, India and Antatolia. Attic Greek dialect was chosen to be the official language of these kingdoms and eventually this dialect evolved into Koine Greek which was a more simplistic version(in grammar, syntax) since it had became a lingua franca in the area I mentioned above. Koine Greek retained the same status during the period of the Roman Empire and through the years and after the ascension of Christianity and the loss of the Latin West to the barbarian invasions, Koine Greek became the official religious(church) and state language in the Empire. Now of course as the centuries were passing by the language went through some changes arriving into the Middle Ages, but heres the thing most writers as i said were trying to use an archaic version of Greek when writing to show their knowledge and education and as I also said the church in their own writings were using the language of the Bible(which was 1st-2nd century Koine Greek). Now the common people in the Empire during the 1000s and after were obviously speaking a more simple version which comes closer to the syntax, grammar and (a big percentage) of the vocabulary of Modern Greek and its dialects that were prevalent at least until 100 years ago from today

[@Fact-fiend_1000ASMR.]

@@wiseguygr Thank you. Learning about languages is always worth it. As an aside, It is my understanding from conversations I've had with a German linguist that Gothic is heavily based upon Koine Greek. It even follows the grammar in some cases. I've said before, but Ulfilas was a genius.

[@desertnomadbilal4512]

Enjoying this masterpiece from Algeria

[@totalwartitan5118]

Very lovely song, I love how it portrays the multicultural nature of the Varangian guard. A song I'd love to hear someday is a song about William the Conqueror since you made one for Harald and Harold. Being a descendant of the Conqueror, I'd love to hear you make a song about him.

[@randomguy-tg7ok]

I'm not sure how good it would sound, but not having the both the Old English and Old Norse versions of the Chorus play at the same time feels like a missed opportunity.

[@wholesome2399]

Lovely! I was wondering, have you thought about making a song in Alanian one day? Alans have fascinated me for a while, being sort of "fish out of water", migrating through the Roman Empire with their Germanic neighbours

[@servantofaeie1569]

What is Alanian? An extinct sister tongue or old form of Ossetian?

[@danielfloyd1679]

lol just got back from work and was telling my Norwegian boss about the Varangian guard! perfect timing

[@matthewwhittall1205]

Thanks, you've given me the perfect song to listen to whilst I play the new Varangian Guard hero in For Honor.

[@felipeschmoellerSCJ]

I must say, you are my favorite skáld, flawless job, i have to say that this kind of "tense" rythm and passe really catches me (im brazilian, dont know how to translate my idea well, sorry) this song and haraldr haldradr are my favorite. And the less "tense" are Sigurd the crusader and olafr trygvason. Waiting form some jomsviking too! God bless and stay with you, every single day until the end of the world!

[@m_h8745]

Wodanaz really proud of his warriors bloodying spears and waiving banners across the world to the point of "more sophisticated" Arabs and Greeks telling of their valor. From The coasts of Vinland, to Miklagaard and beyond, the spirit of adventure is still clearly latent in us all.

[@justinianthegreat1444]

Is a collab with Farya Faraji too much to ask? 🥺

[@SkaldBard]

Hm, well.. watch this space

[@faryafaraji]

@@SkaldBardHehehe

[@TheSpookiestgoose]

They said their names would live for ever more. may it continue till long after we’ve joined them on the pages of history.

[@NorwegianSedevacantist]

Yay, the old norse is back.

[@SkaldBard]

I could feel you breathing down my neck.. ;-)

[@NorwegianSedevacantist]

@@SkaldBard 😅

[@mrjackwale]

Amazing work, I really commend you for this, it is fantastic 💪🏻

[@SkaldBard]

Thanks a lot man, and congrats again on your recent cover of Foss

[@CalSprigley]

Incredible stuff as always

[@dimitriosvlissides5781]

Εξαιρετικη αφηγησης μιας ιστορικης σημασιας μαχης .Παρα πολυ ωραιος και πρωτότυπος τρόπος για να μαθαινουν ιστορικα γεγονοτα μιας πολυς σημαντικης εποχης για ολη την ευρωπη

[@ethanpearson853]

Had no idea this actually happened in European history. Impressive. Such a thing would have blown away the minds of Both Scandinavian and Saxons of King Alfreds kingship.

[@siggyvdz8213]

Goshhhhhh amazing !!! I love the singing rythm !

[@Haimariks]

Hail! This is probably my favourite out of all your works. Keep it up! Would be cool to see songs about Migration Period figures like Arminius and Sigurd the Dragon Slayer.

[@stevenweaver3386]

I discovered from my family research my Dad's family immigrated from Germany in 1710. Thanks to my wife's German born family, I have regained some of that German heritage. My sons were raised on that culture, and identify culturally as German, as do I, now. I still value my Mom's Yorkshire background though. A strong Norse influence there.

[@Domina1190]

You truly are Skaldic.

[@losgatosboi9880]

We need more music in Latin! Maybe something about a guy from 'Ispania?

[@josemontorio561]

Alfonso I The Fighter, Don Pelayo, The Cid Champion, Jaime (James) I the Conqueror, Alfonso X The Wise, etc.