Herr Mannelig

Herr Mannelig

Early one morning before the sun rose up
Before the birds began to sing
The mountain troll proposed to the handsome young man
She had a false tongue
Sir Mannelig, Sir Mannelig, will you be betrothed to me?
For that, I offer you gifts very gladly
Surely you can answer but yes or no
If you wish to or not

To you I wish to give the twelve steeds
That go in the grove of roses
Never has there been any saddles upon them
Nor bridles in their mouths
Sir Mannelig, Sir Mannelig, will you be betrothed to me?
For that, I offer you gifts very gladly
Surely you can answer but yes or no
If you wish to or not

To you I wish to give the twelve mills
That stand between Till and Tern
The stones are made of the reddest gold
And the wheels are laden with silver
Sir Mannelig, Sir Mannelig, will you be betrothed to me?
For that, I offer you gifts very gladly
Surely you can answer but yes or no
If you wish to or not

To you I wish to give a glistening gilded sword
That klings of fifteen gold rings
And battle you will, however you will fight, the battles victory surely shall be yours!
Sir Mannelig, Sir Mannelig, will you be betrothed to me?
For that, I offer you gifts very gladly
Surely you can answer but yes or no
If you wish to or not

To you I wish to give a shirt so new
The best you will want to wear
It was not sewn by needle or thread
But woven of white silk
Sir Mannelig, Sir Mannelig, will you be betrothed to me?
For that, I offer you gifts very gladly
Surely you can answer but yes or no
If you wish to or not


Such gifts I would surely accept
If thou wert a Christian (or christ like) woman
However, thou art the vilest mountain troll
With the voice of Ncken and the Devil
Sir Mannelig, Sir Mannelig, will you be betrothed to me?
For that, I offer you gifts very gladly
Surely you can answer but yes or no
If you wish to or not

The mountain troll ran out the door
She shakes and wails in rage
Had I got the handsome young man
I would have got rid of my torment
Herr Mannelig, Herr Mannelig, will you be betrothed to me?
For that, I offer you gifts very gladly
Surely you can answer but yes or no
If you wish to or not