Heyr himna smiður
This Icelandic hymn was written by Kolbeinn Tumason (1173–1208) on his deathbed.
The original text is presented here with Icelandic spelling from the 19th century. The translation is loose and is in a metrical pattern of 5 beats per line.
Heyr himna smiður
Hear, Smith of the Heavens
Hymn
Hymn
(Icelandic)
(English)
Heyr, himna smiður,
hvers skáldið biður.
Komi mjúk til mín
miskunnin þín.
Því heit eg á þig,
þú hefur skaptan mig.
Eg er þrællinn þinn,
þú ert drottinn minn.
Guð, heit eg á þig,
að þú græðir mig.
Minnst þú, mildingur, mín,
mest þurfum þín.
Ryð þú, röðla gramur,
ríklyndur og framur,
hölds hverri sorg
úr hjartaborg.
Gæt þú, mildingur, mín,
mest þurfum þín,
helzt hverja stund
á hölda grund.
Send þú, meyjar mögur,
málsefnin fögur,
öll er hjálp af þér,
í hjarta mér.
Hear, smith of heavens.
The poet seeketh.
In thy still small voice
Mayest thou show grace.
As I call on thee,
Thou my creator.
I am thy servant,
Thou art my true Lord.
God, I call on thee;
For thee to heal me.
Bid me, prince of peace,
Thou my supreme need.
Ever I need thee,
Generous and great,
O'er all human woe,
City of thy heart.
Guard me, my savior.
Ever I need thee,
Through ev'ry moment
In this world so wide.
Virgin–born, send me
Noble motives now.
Aid cometh from thee,
To my deepest heart.
Notes
Rough Literal Translation:
Hear, smith of the heavens,
what the poet asks.
May softly come unto me
thy mercy.
So I call on thee,
for thou hast created me.
I am thy slave,
thou art my Lord.
God, I call on thee
to heal me.
Remember me, mild one*,
Most we need thee.
Drive out, O king of suns,
generous and great,
human every sorrow
from the city of the heart.
Watch over me, mild one,
Most we need thee,
truly every moment
in the world of men.
send us, son of the virgin,
good causes,
all aid is from thee,
in my heart.
*Or "mild king"
Thanks!
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Both translations come from Wikipedia.
