This Band Performing an Ancient Christian Hymn in a Train Station Will Give You Chills (VIDEO)
In this September 2013 video, Icelandic indie-folk band Árstíðir treats travelers in a train station in Wuppertal, Germany to a haunting a capella performance of the ancient hymn "Heyr himna smiður" ("Hear, Smith of Heavens").
The original poem was written by Kolbeinn Tumason, a powerful chieftain in Iceland around the turn of the 12th century. It's believed he wrote the poem before a large battle in which he lost his life. The lyrics were arranged into a hymn 700 years later.
Below is a rough English translation of the ancient Icelandic poem.
Hear, smith of the heavens,
what the poet asks.
May softly come unto me
thy mercy.
So I call on thee,
for thou hast created me.
I am thy slave,
thou art my Lord.God, I call on thee
to heal me.
Remember me, mild one,
Most we need thee.
Drive out, O king of suns,
generous and great,
human every sorrow
from the city of the heart.Watch over me, mild one,
Most we need thee,
truly every moment
in the world of men.
send us, son of the virgin,
good causes,
all aid is from thee,
in my heart.