Valkyries choose the battle-dead.
Freyja will choose the battle-dead.
Tis better to fall than to falter
Tis better to fall than to falter

Full moon shone o’re Gunnar’s mound
Stones and stars glitter’ing white
No shadows were to be found
Though the cold hours of night

From within a song did arise
Which echoed throughout the land
Gunnar’s men focused their eyes
To witness events at hand

Valkyries choose the battle-dead.
Freyja will choose the battle-dead.
Tis better to fall than to falter
Tis better to fall than to falter

Open-earth lit with gold light
Gunnar’s face seemed to be smiling
Countenance merry and bright
He spoke of his own reconciling.

Bell-verse rang over the field:
Ring-giving father with heart,
Now the ghost who grasps the shield,
Amid the red-rain did depart…”

Valkyries choose the battle-dead.
Freyja will choose the battle-dead.
Tis better to fall than to falter
Tis better to fall than to falter

None would believe the true tale
The eve Gunnar shared his intent
Lest they had seen the night pale
And witnessed the spectral event.

His helm shown the silvery moon
Undulled by the wound-spirits old
Gunnar was taken too soon
He fought and unyielding died bold.

Valkyries choose the battle-dead.
Freyja will choose the battle-dead.
Tis better to fall than to falter
Tis better to fall than to falter

No recompense do I crave,
A reckoning of good or ill
Joy-filled I lie in my grave
Like the night, I am now still.

Good men I counted as friends
An honor-filled life I have led
Troubles I had at the end,
But Freyja, she chooses the dead.

Valkyries choose the battle-dead.
Freyja will choose the battle-dead.
Tis better to fall than to falter
Tis better to fall than to falter