It’s an old story: man meets mermaid, and the inevitable happens. It’s not quite like Hans Christian Anderson.
Mr. Olof saddles his grey horse
He rides it to the mermaid’s yard.
Mr. Olof rode and the golden saddle floated
He sinks into the mermaid’s lap.
Welcome, welcome Mr. Olof to me
For fifteen years I have waited for you.
And where were you born and where were you born
And where did you have your court clothes cut?
In the king’s yard I was born and born
And there did I have my court clothes cut.
There I have a father and there I have a mother
And there I have a sister and a brother.
But where do you have a field and where do you have a meadow
And where is your bridal bed made up?
Where do you have your betrothed
With her I will live and die?
There I have a field and there I have a meadow
And there is my bridal bed made up.
There I also have my betrothed
With her I will live and die.
But come knight Olof, come with me in
And drink from my jug the clearest wine.
And where were you born and where were you born
Where did you have your court clothes cut?
Here I was born and here I was born
Here I have my court clothes cut.
Here I have a father and here I have a mother
Here I have a sister and brother.
But where do you have a field and where do you have a meadow
And where is your bridal bed made up?
Where do you have your betrothed
With her I will live and die?
Yes, here I have a field and here I have a meadow
And here is my bridal bed made up.
Here I also have my betrothed
With you I want to live and die.
(Translated from the Swedish by machinery.)