A Nordic Rowing Song

Part chant to help rowers keep time, part prayer against the often foul and dangerous weather in the Sea of Ghosts, I recorded this song from the crew of the Langtskradjar, a fishing vessel operating from the port of Dawnstar. It consists of a call and response; one side of rowers singing out in Tamrielic, the other singing out in the ancient dragon-tongue, the language of Skyrim's great Word Walls and Dragon-chants. Accompanied by the beating of a large cow-skin drum, one can imagined its effect when bellowed by 20 burly Nord fishermen. -Caoran Fiascian, U. Gwylim

Kaan fin Ven, Monah Brom-muz (Kyne the Wind, Mother of the Nords [lit. North-men])

Wind and Rain, through which we row,

Spaan okaaz-muz faad hofkiin (Shield these sea-men warmly home)

Wretched sea defies us, oh.

Dibyey sil-frin, hofkiin kun (Dibella, soul-heat [fervor?], home light)

Ice and rocks and reefs that crack,

Spann okaaz-muz faad hofkiin (Shield these sea-men warmly home)

Nord-men now defy them back.

Modre, deinmaar, Ven aar-lot (Mara, guardian, Wind's [Kyne's] great-servant)

Clan and hall await us home,

Spaan okaaz-muz faad hofkiin (Shield these sea-men warmly home)

Over deadly seas we roam.

Tsun zeymah, zahkrii wah paal (Tsun Brother, sword to foes)

Every inch draws us to port,

Spaan okaaz-muz faad hofkiin (Shield these sea-men warmly home)

Damn the sea-ghosts at their sport!

Shor Zok-jun, fodiiz bormah (Shor greatest king, Hoar-father)

If the storm never abates,

Spaan okaaz-muz faad hofkiin (Shield these sea-men warmly home)

Brave souls Sovngarde awaits.