The Ballad of Sir Mannelig

I stumbled across Herr Mannelig while doing some research a few months back on Beowulf for my literature class. Please don’t mistake me for someone who is praising a Song often sung by some rather ‘Gothic’ bands. (I’m labeling them ‘Gothic’ because they don’t quite seem to fit into any group I know of; Rock, Acid Rock, Goth, etc. But they seem to lean in on the Acid/Goth side.)

The Ballad of Herr (Sir) Mannelig is the a rather small ‘epic,’ following in the footsteps of the classics like Beowulf and the Aenid, and deserves to be redeemed from the people who have made it rather popular. The song is an old Swedish Ballad which recounts the tale of a mountain troll who desperately desires to become human. She believes, that if she is to marry the knight Sir Mannelig, she will be able to attain human nature. So when the knight comes along, she petitions the man to marry her, and offers him many gifts if he accepts her proposal for marriage. After the troll petitions him and showers him with gifts, Mannelig ultimately refuses for one simple reason…

“Gifts such as these I would gladly receive
If you were a Christian woman
But I know you are the worst mountain troll
From the spawn of Necken and the devil”

The brave knight has the courage to refuse her and the gifts which she promises him for the simple fact she is not a Christian. It’s an interesting thing to note, for he doesn’t say that he doesn’t accept because she is a troll, but rather because of her faith. Here we see the faith which was treasured by the Knights and Warriors of Old, and we see Mannelig, promised the world, refuse it because it this creature is not a Christian.

I just thought I ought to write something on the topic, since, being sung often by some rock groups, we overlook the true nature of things. For example, if we were to look at the new Boewulf film, we would readily judge the story as immoral. But if we do the research, we find an astounding tale of chivalry and virtue.

Here are the Lyrics of the song:

Herr Mannerlig

(Swedish)

Bittida en morgon innan solen upprann
Innan foglarna började sjunga
Bergatrollet friade till fager ungersven
Hon hade en falskeliger tunga:Herr Mannelig herr Mannelig trolofven i mig
För det jag bjuder så gerna
I kunnen väl svara endast ja eller nej
Om i viljen eller ej:Eder vill jag gifva de gångare tolf
Som gå uti rosendelunde
Aldrig har det varit någon sadel uppå dem
Ej heller betsel uti munnenEder vill jag gifva de qvarnarna tolf
Som stå mellan Tillö och Ternö
Stenarna de äro af rödaste gull
Och hjulen silfverbeslagnaEder vill jag gifva ett förgyllande svärd
Som klingar utaf femton guldringar
Och strida huru I strida vill
Stridsplatsen skolen i väl vinnaEder vill jag gifva en skjorta så ny
Den bästa I lysten att slita
Inte är hon sömnad av nål eller trå
Men virkat av silket det hvitaSådana gåfvor toge jag väl emot
Om du vore en kristelig qvinna
Men nu så är du det värsta bergatroll
Af Neckens och djävulens stämmaBergatrollet ut på dörren sprang
Hon rister och jämrar sig svåra
Hade jag fått den fager ungersven
Så hade jag mistat min plågaHerr Mannelig herr Mannelig trolofven i mig
För det jag bjuder så gerna
I kunnen väl svara endast ja eller nej
Om i viljen eller ej

Sir Mannerlig

(English)

Early one morning before the sun did rise
And the birds sang their sweet song
The mountain troll proposed to the fair squire
She had a false deceitful tongue

Sir Mannelig, Sir Mannelig won`t you marry me
For all that I`ll gladly give you
You may answer only yes or no

Will you do so or noTo you I will give the twelve great steeds
That graze in a shady grove
Never has a saddle been mounted on their backs
Nor had a bit in their mouths

To you I will give the twelve fine mills
That stand between Tillo and Terno
The mill stones are made of the reddest brass
And the wheels are silver-laden

To you I will give the gilded sword
That jingles from fifteen gold rings
And strike with it in battle as you will
On the battlefield you will conquerTo you I will give a brand new shirt
The lustrous best for to wear
It is not sewn with needle or thread
But crocheted of the whitest silkGifts such as these I would gladly receive
If you were a Christian woman
But I know you are the worst mountain troll
From the spawn of Necken and the devilThe mountain troll ran out the doorShe wailed and she shrieked so loudly
&quotHad I gotten that handsome squire
From my torment I would be free now”

Sir Mannelig, Sir Mannelig won`t you marry me
For all that I`ll gladly give you
You may answer only yes or no
Will you do so or no