Asatru Folk Assembly - January 22, 2024


Fáfnismál, a reading

Hosted by
Steve McNallen
Mentioned
Fafnismor Sigurd Regan Regensmahl Shall Maul Wise Kvita Hjordvarssona Vinskornir Rode Behind Sigurd Gilfagening Fafnismol Faktusmal Grunhild Valkyrie Brunhild Mightier Faulkner Sigmund Siglert Regius and 11 more
Völuspá, a stanza-by-stanza breakdown Sigrdrífumál, a reading

Episode Stats


Length

20 minutes

Words per minute

110.93

Word count

2,297

Sentence count

95

Harmful content

Misogyny

3

sentences flagged

Toxicity

10

sentences flagged

Hate speech

29

sentences flagged


Summary

Summaries generated with gmurro/bart-large-finetuned-filtered-spotify-podcast-summ .

The Ballad of Fafnismal is a ballad about a young man named Sigurd, who is the son of Odin, the god of the gods. He is a poor, poor boy, and has no knowledge of his father's treasure, but he does have knowledge of the treasure itself, which is the key to understanding the story of the ballad.

Transcript

Transcript generated with Whisper (turbo).
Misogyny classifications generated with MilaNLProc/bert-base-uncased-ear-misogyny .
Toxicity classifications generated with s-nlp/roberta_toxicity_classifier .
Hate speech classifications generated with facebook/roberta-hate-speech-dynabench-r4-target .
Hosts, guests, and mentioned names generated with spaCy (en_core_web_sm), reconciled against Wikidata.
00:00:00.000 Fafnismol, the Lay of Fafnir, the Ballad of Fafnir.
00:00:27.000 The so-called Fafnismal, contained in full in the Codex Regius, where it immediately follows the Regensmal without any indication of a break, is quoted by Snorri in the Gilfagening, stanza 13, and the Skaldskullerpommal, stanzas 32 and 33, and stanzas 6, 3, and 4 appear in the Sverlis saga.
00:00:53.180 Although the Volsunga Saga does not actually quote any of the stanzas, it gives a very close prose parallel to the whole poem in chapters 18 and 19.
00:01:05.140 The general character of the Fafnismal and its probable relation to the Regensmal and the Sigridifumal have been discussed in the introductory note to the Regensmal.
00:01:16.620 While it is far more nearly a unit than the Regensmal, it shows many of the same characteristics.
00:01:23.180 It has the same mixture of stanza forms, although in this case only nine stanzas, 32, 33, 35, 36, and 40 to 44, vary from the normal Lyotahatar measure.
00:01:38.380 It shows, though, to a much less marked extent, the same tendency to introduce passages from extraneous sources, such as the question-and-answer passage in stanzas 11 through 15.
00:01:49.540 At the same time, in this instance, it is quite clear that one distinct poem, including probably stanzas 1-10, 16-23, 25-31, and 34-39, underlay the compilation which we have here.
00:02:07.800 This may, perhaps, have been a long poem, not, however, the lone Sigurdsley, it's the introduction, though, to Brotov Sigurdarkviesel, dealing with the Regen-Fafnir Sigurd-Brinnhild story,
00:02:24.000 and including, besides, most of the Fafnismal, stanzas 1-4, stanzas 6-11, of the Regensmal
00:02:31.620 and part of the so-called Sigdrufumal, together with much that have been lost.
00:02:39.460 The original poem may, on the other hand, have confined itself to the Fafnir episode.
00:02:45.400 In any case, and while the extent Fafnismal can be spoken of as a distinct poem,
00:02:50.320 far more justly than the Regan's Maul,
00:02:53.580 there is still no indication that the compiler regarded it as a poem by itself.
00:02:59.240 His prose notes run on without a break,
00:03:01.660 and the verses simply cover a dramatic episode of Sigurd's early life.
00:03:06.820 The fact that the work of compilation has been done more intelligently
00:03:10.400 than in the case of the Regan's Maul
00:03:12.140 seems to have resulted chiefly from the compiler having been familiar
00:03:15.960 with longer consecutive verse passages dealing with the Fafnir episode.
00:03:22.760 The Regensmahl is little more than a clumsy mosaic,
00:03:27.500 but in the Fafnismahl it is possible to distinguish
00:03:30.820 between the main substance of the poem and the interpolations.
00:03:36.100 Here, as in the Regensmahl, there is very little that bespeaks
00:03:40.960 the German origin of the Sigurds story.
00:03:44.420 Signed at the winning of the treasure, and is in itself undoubtedly a part of the earlier southern legend.
00:03:51.320 But the manner in which he does it is thoroughly Norse.
00:03:55.960 Moreover, the concluding section, which points towards the finding of the sleeping Grunhild,
00:04:01.380 relates entirely to the northern Valkyrie.
00:04:04.100 The warrior maiden punished by Odin, and not at all to the southern Brunhild, the daughter of Boothli.
00:04:12.100 The Fafnismal is, however, sharply distinguished from the Reganmal by showing no clear traces
00:04:20.460 of the Hedwig tradition, although a part of the birdsong stanzas 40-44 in the Fornistilag
00:04:29.720 form, as distinct from the body of the poem, sounds suspiciously like the bird passage
00:04:36.080 in the beginning of the Heringer Kvita Hjordvarssona.
00:04:40.440 Regarding the general relations of the various sets of traditions
00:04:44.360 in shaping the story of Sigurd,
00:04:46.800 see the introductory note to the Gruepispa.
00:04:51.600 The Faktusmal, together with this part of the Sigurd Fumal,
00:04:55.600 has indirectly become the best known of all the Edic poems,
00:05:00.100 for the reason that Wagner used it,
00:05:02.660 with remarkably little change of outline,
00:05:05.340 as the basis for his Sigthry.
00:05:11.500 Fafnismor 0.83
00:05:12.940 Sigurd and Regan went up to the Gnitaheth
00:05:18.840 and found there the track that Fafnir made
00:05:22.360 when he crawled to water.
00:05:25.120 Then Sigurd made a great trench across the path
00:05:28.840 and took his place therein.
00:05:31.940 When Fafnir crawled from his gold,
00:05:34.500 he blew out venom, and it ran down from above on Sigurd's head.
00:05:40.760 But when Fafnir crawled over the trench, then Sigurd thrust his sword into his body to the heart.
00:05:49.080 Fafnir writhed, then struck out with his head and tail.
00:05:53.580 Sigurd leapt from the trench, and each looked at each other.
00:05:58.120 Fafnir said,
00:05:59.400 youth all youth of whom then youth art thou born say whose son thou art who in Fafnir's blood thy
00:06:11.820 bright blade reddened and struck thy sword to my heart Sigurd concealed his name because it was
00:06:20.820 believed in olden times that the word of a dying man might have great power if he cursed his foe
00:06:28.560 by his name, he said, The noble heart, my name and I go, a motherless man abroad, father
00:06:39.060 I had not, and others have, and lonely ever I live.
00:06:45.060 Fafnir spake, If father thou hast not, as others have, by what wonder wast thou born?
00:06:55.100 Though thy name on the day of thy death thou hidest, thou knowest not, thou dost lie.
00:07:04.220 Sigurd spake, My race, methinks, is unknown to thee, and so am I to myself, Sigurd my
00:07:13.440 name, and Sigmund's son, who smote thee thus with the sword.
00:07:19.100 Mothmure spake,
00:07:21.100 Who bloughed thee,
00:07:23.100 Why wert thou driven
00:07:25.100 My life to make me loose?
00:07:27.100 My father brave
00:07:29.100 Had the bright-eyed youth,
00:07:31.100 For bold in boyhood thou art.
00:07:35.100 Sigurd spake,
00:07:37.100 My heart did thrive me,
00:07:39.100 My hand fulfilled,
00:07:41.100 And my shining sword so sharp.
00:07:45.100 Fewer keen when old age comes,
00:07:47.100 age comes, who timid in boyhood be. Fafnir spake, If thou, Gry mightiest, grow, thy friends
00:07:58.780 among, one might see thee fiercely fight, and bound thou art, and in battle taken, and
00:08:06.320 to fear our prisoners prone. Sigurd spake, Thou blamest me, Fafnir, that I see from afar,
00:08:17.080 The wealth that my father's was.
00:08:20.600 Not bound am I, though in battle taken.
00:08:24.060 Thou hast found the free I live.
00:08:28.820 Fafnir spake.
00:08:31.000 In all I say dost thou hatred see.
00:08:36.120 Yet truth alone do I tell.
00:08:39.240 The sounding gold and the glow-red wealth.
00:08:43.780 And the rings thy bane shall be.
00:08:47.080 Sigurd spake, someone the horde shall ever hold, till the destined day shall come, for a time there is, when every man shall journey hence to hell.
00:09:02.920 Fafnir spake 1.00
00:09:06.160 The fate of the Nons 0.97
00:09:08.740 Before the headland 1.00
00:09:11.120 Thou findest in doom of a fool 1.00
00:09:14.020 In the water shall drown 1.00
00:09:16.420 If thou row against the wind
00:09:18.460 All danger is near to death
00:09:21.680 Sigurd spake
00:09:24.560 Tell me then, Fafnir
00:09:28.260 For wise thou art famed
00:09:30.300 And much thou knowest now
00:09:32.740 Who are the Norns who are helpful in need 0.94
00:09:36.060 And obeyed from the mother of Breen? 1.00
00:09:40.720 Fafnir spake 0.96
00:09:41.700 Of many births the Norns must be 0.84
00:09:45.860 Nor one in race they were 1.00
00:09:48.480 Some to gods, others 1.00
00:09:51.140 To elves or kin
00:09:53.080 And to Valin's daughters some
00:09:55.820 Sigurd spake 0.95
00:09:59.200 Tell me, Fafnir
00:10:02.480 For wise thou art famed, and much thou knowest now.
00:10:09.400 How call they the isle where all the gods in search shall sword sweat mingle.
00:10:17.900 Fafnir spake, O Skapnir is it, where all the gods shall seek the play of swords.
00:10:26.340 Biltroth breaks when they cross the bridge, and steeds shall swim in the flood.
00:10:32.480 The fear helm I war to affright mankind, While guarding my gold I lay, Mightier seemed
00:10:41.520 I than any man, For a fiercer never I found.
00:10:48.720 Sigurd spake, The fear helm surely no man shields
00:10:53.560 When he faces a valiant foe, Oft one finds when the foe he meets
00:10:59.440 that he is not the bravest of all.
00:11:03.560 Fafnir spake, Venom I breathed when bright I lay,
00:11:08.960 By the horde my father had.
00:11:12.380 There was none so mighty as dared to meet me,
00:11:16.200 And weapons nor wiles I feared.
00:11:21.280 Sigrid spake, Glittering worm, thy hissing was great,
00:11:27.140 And hardest show thy heart. 0.94
00:11:30.620 But hatred more hath the sons of men, For whom he owns the helm.
00:11:40.580 Fafnir spake, I counsel thee, Siglert, heed my speech,
00:11:47.700 And ride thou homeward hence, The sounding gold, the glow-red wealth,
00:11:54.140 and the rings thy bane shall be.
00:11:59.380 Sigurd spake, Thy counsel is given, but those I shall, till gold to the heath were hidden.
00:12:07.320 And Faulkner, thou with death dost fight, lying where hell shall have thee. 0.85
00:12:16.720 Faulkner spake, Regin betrayed me, and thee will betray. 0.54
00:12:23.960 both to death will he bring. His life, methinks, must Fafnir lose, for the mightier man must
00:12:32.580 thou. Regan had gone to a distance while Sigurd fought Fafnir, and came back while Sigurd
00:12:42.100 was wiping the blood from the sword. Regan said, Hail to thee, Sigurd! Thou victory hast,
00:12:51.400 And Fafnir in fight is slain
00:12:53.720 Of all the men who tread the earth
00:12:56.440 Most fearless art thou, methinks
00:12:59.440 Sigurd spake
00:13:01.920 Unknown is it
00:13:04.360 When all are together the sons of the glorious gods
00:13:08.620 Who bravest born shall seem
00:13:12.080 Some are valiant who redden no sword
00:13:14.940 In the blood of a foeman's beast
00:13:17.580 Regan spake
00:13:20.640 Glad art thou, Sigrid, the battle gained, as graham was grass thou cleanest.
00:13:28.800 My brother fierce in fightest slain, and somewhat I did myself.
00:13:36.460 Sigrid spake.
00:13:37.460 Afar didst thou go, whilst Fafnir reddened, with his blood my blade so keen.
00:13:46.020 For the might of the dragon my strength I matched, While thou in the heather didst hide.
00:13:53.660 Reckon spake, Longer wouldst thou in the heather of let
00:13:59.580 Yon holy giant hide.
00:14:02.880 Had the weapon availed not the once I forged, The keen-edged blade didst thou bear.
00:14:10.460 spake, Better in heart than a mighty blade, For him who shall fiercely fight.
00:14:19.860 The brave men well shall fight and win, Though dull his blade may be.
00:14:25.800 Brave men better than cowards be, When the clash of battle comes,
00:14:31.280 And better the glad than the gloomy man Shall face what before him lies.
00:14:37.580 Thou reed it was that I should ride, hither are mountains high.
00:14:42.980 The glittering worm would have wealth and life, if thou hast not mocked at my might."
00:14:51.340 Then Regan went up to Fafnir and cut out his heart with his sword.
00:14:55.760 That was named Rithil, and then he drank blood from the wounds.
00:15:01.380 Regan said,
00:15:02.380 Sit now, Sigurd, for sleep will I. Hold Fafner's heart to the fire, for all his heart shall eaten be, since deep of blood I have drunk.
00:15:16.300 Sigurd then took Fafner's heart and cooked it on a spit.
00:15:20.700 When he thought that it was fully cooked and the blood foamed out of the heart, then he tried it with his finger to see whether it was fully cooked. 0.88
00:15:28.500 He burned his finger and put it in his mouth
00:15:31.980 But when Fafnir's heart's blood came on his tongue
00:15:35.320 He understood the speech of birds
00:15:37.160 He heard nuthatches chattering the thickets 0.88
00:15:40.860 A nuthatch said
00:15:42.940 There sits Sigert, sprinkled with blood
00:15:47.520 And Fafnir's heart, with fiery cooks
00:15:50.960 Wise for the breaker of rings, I wean
00:15:54.100 To eat the life muscles all so bright
00:15:57.000 A second spake 0.99
00:15:59.820 There, Regan lies, and plans he lays
00:16:05.800 The youth to betray who trusts him well
00:16:08.720 Lying words with wiles while he speaks
00:16:11.800 To his brother, the maker of mischief, avenges
00:16:15.400 A third spake 1.00
00:16:18.080 Lest by the head of the chattery horde 1.00
00:16:21.840 Go from hair to head 0.99
00:16:24.260 Then all of the wealth he alone can wield, The gold that fought there guarded.
00:16:35.440 A fourth spake, Wise would he seem, if he so would he'd,
00:16:41.820 The count so good we sisters give, Though he would give in the raven's garden.
00:16:47.020 There is the ever wolf, Where his ears I spy.
00:16:53.060 A fifth spake, Let's wise must be the tree of battle,
00:16:57.140 Then to me would seem the leader of men, If forth he lets,
00:17:01.420 One brother fair, When he of the other the slayer is. 0.99
00:17:05.880 A sixth spake, Most foolish he seems, 0.97
00:17:10.080 If he shall spare His foe the bane of the folk, 0.99
00:17:15.080 Their egg and lies, Who hath wronged him so,
00:17:19.420 Yet falsehood knows he not.
00:17:23.060 A seventh spake, Let the heed of the frost-cold giant be hewed,
00:17:29.940 And let him of rings be robbed, Then all the wealth which Fafnir's was
00:17:35.560 Shall belong to thee alone.
00:17:40.620 Sigurd spake, Not so rich a fate shall Regan have
00:17:45.840 As the tale of my death to tell, For soon the brothers both shall die,
00:17:51.520 and hence the hell shall go. 0.82
00:17:54.980 Sigurd hewed off Regan's head, 0.94
00:17:57.700 and then he ate Fafnir's heart 0.99
00:17:59.360 and drank the blood of both Regan and Fafnir. 0.93
00:18:02.840 Then Sigurd heard what the nuthatch said.
00:18:07.620 Behind Sigurd the golden rings together, 0.99
00:18:10.960 nothing kingly is it, ought to fear. 1.00
00:18:14.580 I know a maid, there is none so fair, 0.99
00:18:17.560 rich in gold, if thou mightest get her. 0.98
00:18:19.920 Greening the past that's a yucky lead
00:18:23.680 And his fate the wanderer way shows
00:18:27.640 The daunty king a daughter has
00:18:30.880 That thou as a bride may sing it by 1.00
00:18:34.780 Another spank 0.97
00:18:37.640 A hall stands high 1.00
00:18:40.440 On hither for y'all
00:18:42.560 All the flame is it ringed without
00:18:45.480 Warriors wise
00:18:48.000 Did make it once
00:18:49.580 Out of the flaming light of the flood
00:18:51.780 On the mountain 1.00
00:18:53.820 Sleeps a battle maid 0.92
00:18:55.300 And about her blaze the bane of the wood 0.85
00:18:58.200 Eeg with the thorn
00:19:00.560 Hath smitten her thus 0.99
00:19:01.980 For she felled the fighter
00:19:04.020 He fain would save
00:19:05.560 There mayst thou behold
00:19:07.720 The maiden hand
00:19:08.860 Who forth on Vinskornir
00:19:11.420 Rode from the flight
00:19:13.280 The victory bringer, her sleep shall not break
00:19:17.660 Thou hero's sun, so the norns have set
00:19:21.280 Sigurd rode along Fafnir's trail to his lair and found it open
00:19:27.960 The gateposts were of iron, and the gates of iron, too
00:19:32.060 Were all the beams in the house, which were dug down into the earth
00:19:36.340 There Sigurd found a mighty store of gold, and he filled two chests full thereof
00:19:42.380 He took the firhelm and the golden mailcoat and the sword, hiroti, and made other precious
00:19:49.400 things, and loaded drani with them, but the horse would not go forward until Sigurd mounted
00:19:55.920 on his back.
00:20:12.380 Thank you.