[Verse 1]
In ancient times you once watched
You threw Gungnir, you were a spear in battle
You traveled through the nine worlds as a wanderer by night
You gave us Mimir's holy well brought again
[Refrain]
Nine days you hung
In Yggrasil's branches
Nine long nights
For 16 magical signs
Magic signs about death to summon
To heal the sick and disturb enemies
To hold flames, to direct the swords
To ask spirits and lower the spears
Há vamál, verses 138, 139, 144
Veit u200bu200bek, at ek hekk
Vindga meiði á
Nætr allar nÃu
Geiri undaðr
Ok gefinn Ãðni
Sjalfr sjalfum mér
á þeim meiði
Er manngi veit
Hvers af rótum renn
Við hleifi mik sældu
Né við hornigi;
Nýsta ek niðr
Nam ek upp rúnar
æpandi nam
Fell ek aftr þaðan
Veistu, hvé rÃsta skal?
Veistu, hvé ráða skal?
Veistu, hvé fáa skal?
Veistu, hvé freista skal?
Veistu, hvé biðja skal?
Veistu, hvé blóta skal?
Veistu, hvé senda skal?
Veistu, hvé sóa skal?
Wounded hung I
At the storm-tossed tree
For nine long nights
Wounded by the spear
Sacrificed to Odin
Sacrificed myself
On that tree
Sacrificed myself />Of which not even the wisest know
From what root it sprouted
They gave me no bread
They gave me no mead
I looked down;
Then I took the runes
Screaming, I took them
Then I fell from the tree
Do you know how to write them?
Do you know how to interpret them?
Do you know how to fill them with paint?
Do you know how to test them?
Do you know how to question them?
Do you know how to offer something to them?
Do you know how to send them?
Do you know how to stop them?

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