[Intro] Before the worlds were woven, when fire met the rime, Yggdrasil the World Ash rose through space and time. Three roots drink the wells of fate, its branches pierce the sky, Nine realms forever bound as one—hear the skald’s reply. [Verse 1 – Asgard & Vanaheim] Asgard shines on high, where Aesir gods hold court, Odin seeks his wisdom, Thor defends the fort. Bifrost rainbow burns, the trembling bridge of light, Linking godly halls to Midgard’s mortal sight. Vanaheim the verdant, where the Vanir dwell in peace, Freyr rides his golden boar, Freyja’s magic never cease. Their wisdom flows through Yggdrasil’s highest boughs so green, Trading gifts with Aesir kin in bonds both fierce and keen. [Chorus] Yggdrasil! World Ash, guardian of the Nine, Roots and branches bind us through the threads of wyrd and line. From godly heights to shadowed depths, through frost and sacred flame, The Nine Realms stand as one—eternal is their name! [Verse 2 – Alfheim, Svartalfheim & Midgard] Alfheim glows with elven light, Ljósálfar dance and sing, Fair and swift as morning beams, their joy makes heavens ring. Their realm rides the upper limbs where sunlight filters through, Whispers carried on the wind to every world anew. Svartalfheim deep in stone, where dwarves in forges roar, Sons of Ivaldi craft the treasures gods adore. Dark elves hammer, dark elves sing beneath the middle roots, Gifting Mjolnir, Brísingamen—power from the brutes. Midgard, cradle of mankind, encircled by the snake, Farmers, warriors, dreamers—lives that Yggdrasil awake. Its trunk stands firm through storm and strife, the middle realm of men, Connected by the rainbow bridge and every kinsman’s ken. [Chorus] Yggdrasil! World Ash... [Verse 3 – Jotunheim & Muspelheim] Jotunheim of giants vast, frost and mountain kin, Thrym and Skrymir test the gods with cunning strength within. One root drinks from Mímisbrunnr, wisdom’s ancient well, Where Odin traded eye for sight where giants dwell. Muspelheim the southern fire, Surtr’s flaming blade, Fire giants march when Ragnarök calls forth the last crusade. Its heat feeds Yggdrasil’s opposing root of flame, Balance born of opposition—life from embers came. [Verse 4 – Niflheim & Helheim + Ratatoskr] Niflheim of endless mist, where ice and poison flow, Hvergelmir’s boiling cauldron feeds the rivers down below. One great root drinks its waters cold, sustaining Tree and all, Home to frost and serpents where the darkened shadows crawl. Helheim, realm of quiet dead, where Hel rules half in light, Half in darkness—those who died of age or peaceful night. Beneath the deepest roots it lies, yet still the Ash connects, Honoring the cycle: birth and death in perfect step. [Ratatoskr’s Bridge – faster, playful yet cunning delivery] Now heed the squirrel Ratatoskr, red as ember’s spark, He races up the trunk and down from dawn until the dark. From eagle Vedrfolnir perched in glory at the crown, To Níðhöggr gnawing roots in venom deep below the ground. He bears the words of insult, gossip sharp as winter’s blade, Stirring eagle’s anger, feeding dragon’s jealous rage. Yet in his frantic duty, the messenger connects, Carrying tales between the heights and depths—worlds intersect! No realm stands alone when Ratatoskr runs the line, The living thread of Yggdrasil, both trickster and divine. [Final Chorus – soaring, full choir with scurrying undertones] Yggdrasil! World Ash, eternal, vast, and wise, Nine realms in sacred balance under starlit northern skies. Inhabitants of light and dark, of ice and fire and bone, All are children of the Tree—forever bound as one! (Final fade with rapid percussion and chant: “Ratatoskr runs… Yggdrasil… Skål till the Nine!”)
