He wandered through landscapes painted

Green by forests and blue by lakes

All the way of leagues ten and five

Until he arrived during the fall of twilight



Gathered the villagers around him

To hear the sad news he had to bring

"Three dawns ago in the land towards sunrise

Was thy king slain in a battle at night"



A gray cloud shadowed the hearts of men

And flowing tears wet women's eyes

Their king had gone to Tuonela

Had his spirit among them died?

Had it gone away with the flames

That burned his warship - his grave

The nightwinds had called his name

The gods got another man brave



Weeks after the funeral was seen a shadow gray

Roaming in the woods of the eastern land



Hiding in daytime then returning at night

Haunting in the minds of the mortals who killed a king