Brethren, lend thy ear
listen to my tale
How I discovered

the secrets of runes
I hung for nine full nights
on the windswept tree

Sacrificed to Odin
Myself to myself


Depraved of water
and bread for strength
Pierced by a spear

hangs the one-eyed

This son of Bestla and Borr

threefold the highest is he
Tyr of the hanged man
Ruler of Asgard


Father to the slayer of giants
Once gave his eye, a sacrifice

so he might drink from Mimir's well
to master poetry and wisdom


There I hung from Yggdrasil's branch
Reached for the runes and screamed with all my might
Suffered for wisdom, fell from the tree

Magic of runes, strong and stout staves
Fell from the tree
Fell from the tree

The highest of Aegir
that in Asgard dwell


But with this wisdom
come frightful visions
of the sailing of Naglfar

And Loki's son
unchained at last
marching in Surtr's wake


For the gods are doomed
once the branches burn