piparskeggrskald

Spring Even Night 2013

This is my first new song in a couple of years, been a long road back to myself, more of the mountain ahead, but I own my future as well as my past and present...1st stave repeated as the Burden.

Ostara Blessing - Spring Even-night 2013

Spring Even-night has come again Herald of warmth and new green growth Ostara has walked o’er the Land Ever welcome for her blessing Happy the Day! Happy the Folk! Kin, Kith and Friends, sitting at board Winter is o’er, Weal has topped Woe Time to give thanks and look ahead -Burden- On the morrow, first farming day Earth will be turned, stones will be picked Fields to be made ready for seed Looking ahead to Harvest Gain -Burden- Skies will be watched for signs of frost To help assure that crops will grow Too early will hurt young seedlings Warmth for the earth will ward their strength -Burden- All of this will, prepare the way For sowing seed in rich, dark earth Plots are laid out, furrows stretch long Hope for the days to come ahead -Burden- Under the sun, many toil To wrest the wealth that all will need When Even-night comes once again Winter’s Herald, at Harvest time -Burden- Happy the Day! Happy the Folk! Kin, Kith and Friends, sitting at board Winter is o’er, Weal has topped Woe Time to give thanks and look ahead -Burden- -Burden- ©SPRobinson Tune is a rough draft, a usual. =)

To Vinland

A song I wrote in 2001 to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of Leif the Lucky Eriksson's voyage to the west where he found land unknown to his folk. He named 3 places: Helluland - the Place of Stones, Markland - the Place of Trees, Vinland - the Place of Vines (posited to have been those of wild grapes).

Foamy necked waves break o'er the shoal Racing to wash, granite toothed beach Greenish sea moss, garlands the rocks Dark, wet and grey, set in the sand

The land ever waits, patient and hard Always unchanged, uncaring, still Beckoning those, who hear the call Find me, find me, I lie in wait Oaken sea steed, dances in mist Crossing whale way, gull road taken Into sunset, onward to West Driven to prove, tales of new land Ship's crew sings out, words to the sky Odin, Ægir, Thor speed our way Trust in the Gods, and strength of back Steersman holds board, sets a true course Long are the nights, longer the days Grey backed swells, endlessly same Evening stars bright, lead ever on Darkened sky sheep, cloud gift fills kegs Noise comes to ear, watcher hears roar Breakers tumbling, whispering birds Fading mist lifts, sight to behold Lowslung land dark, o'ertopped with green Beyond the beach, river's mouth gapes Calling the crew, travel this way Longship slips in, trout home to wend Pull to the bank, landsmen again Uneasy heads, fitfully rest Dreaming a dream, unproven land Unproven folk, unproven wealth Unproven Gods, unproven Fate Wake to the dawn, Sun smiling warm Heavy branched trees, round fragrant lea Firs like at home, and grasses too Eagle's shrill cry, splits morning calm Sights to behold, richness of beasts Branch antlered stag, bushy tailed squirrel Trees of strange hue, flowers not known Wild grapes found, Vinland is named Old crewman dies, tree falls awry Grave hole is dug, then mound is raised Kin bones in earth, strange place no more Witnessed by death, Land Bond is made Timber and fur, fruit, fish, and drink Ship is laden, cargo for home East points the prow, foam trail behind Trackless travel, wooden hull glides Tales of new land, rumor no more Place now to go, homesteads to build Wealth to be had, cargoes to gain Hofs to hallow, children to bear Long the years pass, many ships sail From many lands, head to the West Making a Home for Kin and Kith Seeking ever frontiers to tread Foamy necked waves break o'er the shoal Racing to wash, granite toothed beach Greenish sea moss, garlands the rocks Dark, wet and grey, set in the sand The land ever waits, patient and hard Always unchanged, uncaring, still Beckoning those, who hear the call Find me, find me, I lie in wait

The land ever waits, patient and hard Always unchanged, uncaring, still Beckoning those, who hear the call Find me, find me, I lie in wait

Find me, find me, I lie in wait

Folk Song from another Skald's Words

I read these words posted by Jeremy Ullrsson about 1/2 hour ago as I perused his profile as a new FB friend. They are from the script of a Tolkien fan movie "Born of Hope" set in the time before the "Lord of the Rings," telling the tale of Arathorn, father of Aragorn. I have given them the working title of "We the Faithful" because as I read them a tune was demanded.

We came from the water,

It runs through our ancient days,

down the long years to this moment

coursing through our lives

like the bloodline of Kings

A swiftly flowing stream of memory and sorrow One drop of water of blood and then another can become a ripple, a river, a rising torrent unstoppable which in time breaks down all resistance to flow free once again on the journey to it's destiny The remnant of the faithful

Our Mother - Earth

Hail all; Here's one I wrote, which was inspired by a fairly modern (early 20th century - WW-I-era) account of a survival of an English "Well-Dressing" ritual performed in the spring. . Her Wellspring - A Nerthus Poem . The waters dark, beneath the Earth Wellspring of Life, True Mother’s Milk Carrying Mægn from Wyrding Well Flows in our hearts, flows in our souls . Nerthus, Mother, good, fertile Earth Birthing green life, which sustains us Fodder for beasts, fruit for the plate Give thanks we do, for stream of Life - Burden - . In Elder Days, we knew You well And lived our Bond, in Your goodwill We also knew, give Gift for Gain Was our Duty, for Common Weal - Burden - . When the Maytree, springs bright and green Comes the day to, show honest thanks Laughter and song, feasting and drink Words for Mother, Adornments, too - Burden - . The day does start, with rising Dawn Mani has slid, into his bed Sunna barely, peeks o’er the trees The Folk gather, Well Dressing Rite - Burden - . Echoes of Blót, are in our ways Dark Fee for Her, Who Does Send Life Feast swine is slain, with Blessing words Boar’s blood reddens, wells in Her name - Burden - . Day is merry, and day is long All are happy, Luck’s been assured She has Her fee, and Wells are dressed Folkways honored, day comes to rest - Burden - . And Wyrdly comes the Water’s Touch That mighty flow which livens all For without Spring, inside our hearts Our Souls will die, and become dust - Burden - . Nerthus, Mother, good, fertile Earth Birthing green life, which sustains us Fodder for beasts, fruit for the plate Give thanks we do, for stream of Life - Burden - -Burden - (Last line softly)

My Oldest Poem

Hail all; I wrote this the day after a Jesuit priest taught me and my fellows in a high school-level Roman Catholic (my cradle religion) "Sunday school" about reincarnation, past life regression, human energy fields and how to feel/control them. Talk about "Liberation Theology!" Under his tutelage I remembered 5 deaths in battle, plus a young lady of my acquaintance who was in that class with me; I felt that we had been together in a previous life or two. To this day I will swear that a physical spark of energy exchanged between us that night.  We were a natural fit, but life took us in different directions and we parted as friends. She died several years ago, but I love her still, deeply. I am lucky, for I had a second shot at true love. My wife and I have been together for the better part of 31 years (including the time we dated).  I would be deadened without her. I like to joke that I gave up the Church for Lent in 1975; here's one of the results. . Fragment from a Battlefield - 17 March, 1975 . The waiting is the hardest part The not knowing; the hanging time The thoughts of clash and thoughts of crash The thoughts of home and family . I look across the open field At long dark lines of massing foe The air is thick with stink of fear But courage is, to duty do . The bugles blare , call the advance The foe gives voice; an awful sound My comrades march, then charge and fight No brave man I, but fear is held . I keep my place by shieldman's side The steely line comes straight at me My life becomes this final act To win and live, or lose and die ---------------------------------------- I was barely 18 years of age when I wrote this and new little, if anything, of life.

Allworthy - an Odin Song

Hail all; I do not declare myself as a close follower of Odin; I keep away from Him a bit, actually. However, once in a while He demands - inspires a poem or song...audio is an older version of the lyrics (same words slightly different order), as usual, 1st stave is repeated as the Burden of the song. ---------------------------- All Worthy . Wassail Woden, All Father wise Drinker from Mimir’s Well Battle Slain and Wild Hunt Lord Inspirer of the Skald . O’er the Nine Worlds, Wide-faring One Seeking for Lore, Gaining in Wit Show us the way, to be as You Learning ever, building Orlay -Burden- . Hung from the Tree, windy nights nine Hallowed to Self, wounded by Spear Cared by none, Dark Vision came Fell to the Runes, rose up again -Burden- . Kvasir the Wise, did God Tribes make And the Dwarves two did murder him Blood into Mead, prize to be gained Odin won out, despite ordeal -Burden- . Worthy the Words, sent to the Skalds Poem and Song, Lore for the Folk Weapons you give, to Warriors Looking for Men, Warband to be -Burden- . Worthy War Dead, half to Valhall Fight in the day, feast in the night Odin looks on, Gungnir in hand Einheriar for Ragnarok -Burden- . Black Raven twins of Thought and Mind They perch above His High Seat old Bringing the news of Worlds and Wights Har sits and thinks, Deemings and Dooms -Burden- . Grey are the wolves, sit at Grim’s knee Guarding the way to Æsir chief Wild Spirit, Strength of the Clan Inside the Hall, upon the Land -Burden- . Oer the Nine Worlds, Wide-faring One Seeking for Lore, Gaining in Wit Show us the way, to be as You Learning ever, building Orlay -Burden- -Burden-

He Who Watches Always

Hail all; I wrote this song a few years ago after reading an account by Valgard Murray of the life of Scotty McMurray, a longtime member of the Arizona Kindred.  Scotty was a Heimdall's man, and Valgard's words led me to the inspiration for this song as a centerpiece to an Offering Rite I'd been trying to compose to Heimdall for a Veterans' Day gathering. Hail Those Who Watch and Ward! Pip --------------------------------------------------------- -Wearer of the Wolfskin- . Heimdall you stand in wolfskin cloak Auroch's horn close at hand Guarding the way on Bifrost bright Everward, Wakeful One . Praises we sing, the Warder Bold! Heimdall, Garth Guard, Watch over us! Praises we sing, the Warder Bold! Your Deeds shine bright, Honor's Beacon! -Burden- . Heimdall, Horn Ás, Never Sleeping Looks o'er the Worlds, observing all Grim of visage, solid of stance Always ready to sound the Call -Burden- . Within your tales, are lessons true Of watchfulness, against all ill To be prepared, for Ragnarok We'll look to Worth, and battle gear -Burden- . Midgard is green, Life upon Life Quickened by Gods, Ordered by Same Folk have a place within the Clan Farmer, Craftsman, Hall Thane and Lord -Burden- . Community ties, of Birth and Word Bind tight and strong, among the Folk Rig did walk here, long, long ago Taught us to know, work we must do -Burden- . Mind and Body, Art, Craft and Wit Skill we should have, as Lord or Men Helping the Folk, ready to be In Peace or War, live large and strong -Burden- . Ever sharp ears, hear Battle Strife Farseeing eyes, watch Mannish Deeds Bell flared nostrils, smell tang of Blood Inflowing breath, brings taste of Pain -Burden- . Praises we sing, the Warder Bold! Heimdall, Garth Guard, Watch over us! Praises we sing, the Warder Bold! Your Deeds shine bright, Honor's Beacon! -Burden- -Burden-

A Vist - Uller song the first

Hey all; Here's an early recording of me singing "A Visit."  The sound is a bit like I'm in a barrel. ,-) This is the song I wrote to offer at Uller Blot in September, 2000 and offered at Uller Blot during the first and only Asatru In Action Moot in March of 2001.  AnA became Our Meadhall later that year and the Moots have continued. In my poetry, I use the word Burden instead of chorus as this stave has the "burden" of carrying the theme of the work.  The first stave is repeated as the Burden stave. enjoy - Pip A Visit - UllR Bede - 22 Shedding 2250 RE . Sing we proudly, the Bow Lord! Uller guide hand and eye. Sing we proudly, the Bow Lord! His voice in arrow's flight. . Winter is Harsh, weeds out the weak Lest they be part, of well knit clan Hearth fires warm, protect them well Old ones and young, all of them kin - Burden - . Homestead is bound, snow piled high Hunters are home, larders are bare Bellies are slack, some taken ill Elders have met, Offerings made - Burden - . Mead woven tale, deeds of the hunt Praise for the prey, and the Old One Words go awing, speed through the air Fall on sharp ears, rightful plea heard - Burden - . Snow Sender strides, on boneshoes wide Hoarfrost glistens, shrouds the woodland Branch antlered stag, puffs misty breath Beast Slayer sends, life stealing thorn - Burden - . Fur Wearer stands, within the garth Calls to the folk, come take this prize Man and woman, lad, lass and babe Share in the gift, of Forest God - Burden - . Clan Warder speaks, Blessing to give Tells of the shoes, deep snow to tread To help themselves, through mortal deeds Praises to Him, Teacher of Craft - Burden - . Across the rime, Leather Clad Ase Strides to the trees, from sight is lost Clan folk again, turn to the feast Mead horns are raised once more in praise - Burden - . Winter is Harsh, weeds out the weak Lest they be part, of well knit clan Hearth fires warm, protect them well Old ones and young, all of them kin - Burden - - Burden -

New place for Pip Songs

Welcome to Piparskeggrskald,  the new home for the poems and songs of Stefn Ullarsson Piparskeggr. I appended "A Starting Point," the poem I use to open my collections of non-ritual poetry (Skaldstone Unfinished #3 almost done). Be well and hail Our Northern Holy Ones! Pip