The longships are burning and the flames go up high To the sky the smoke rises, and memories turn to ash The waves are silently mourning the fallen and lost Forgotten in foreign lands, not praised in the sagas The longships are burning and the age draws to a close Burning together with their gods, the heroes of old Deeds of valor and of cruelty are engraved in the rune stones Fading as the years pass, gnawed by the rain and the wind The longships are burning and shadows of fire are dancing Seen from afar upon the cold waters of darkness The black mountains stand guard to this funeral And the ghosts of the past howling among their spires The longships are burning, and soon it will all end A sorrowful parting, a fatal knowing of destiny Still grief is greeted with laughter, bravery not forsaken The glowing embers sink down but the song is lifted to skies