Margit Hjukse (Proud Margit)
 

Oh, Margit was the proudest maid in Saudherad,  

– Time passes slowly – 

She grew up on the county’s finest farm.  

– How heavy my sorrow lays upon me – 

 

Margit walked to church her chin high in the air

– Time passes slowly –

She climbed the mountain crossing of danger unaware

– How heavy my sorrow lays upon me – 

 

For Margit’s pride attracted the awful mountain king,

– Time passes slowly –

He laid in wait with snares he knew would Margit bring

– How heavy my sorrow lays upon me – 

 

The mountain king appeared and offered her his seat,

– Time passes slowly –

And then he gave a stool to rest proud Margit’s feet.

– How heavy my sorrow lays upon me – 

 

He showered her with dresses, gold and shoes to wear,

– Time passes slowly –

He offered her twelve maidens to comb and dress her hair, 

– How heavy my sorrow lays upon me – 

 

He offered her a goblet of the brightest wine,

– Time passes slowly –

Take this and drink it and then you will be mine

– How heavy my sorrow lays upon me – 

 

Nine years sped along living with the mountain king,

– Time passes slowly –

Many sons and daughters did Proud Margit bring

– How heavy my sorrow lays upon me – 

 

One fateful Sunday morning reminded her of home,

– Time passes slowly –

She heard the church bells ring as the sat and spun alone,

– How heavy my sorrow lays upon me – 

 

Margit asked the king if she might see her father dear,

– Time passes slowly –

Her father cried “Oh Margit, are you really here?”

– How heavy my sorrow lays upon me – 

 

He welcomed her and offered her her mother’s seat,

– Time passes slowly –

Then came a frightful stomping of a horse’s feet

– How heavy my sorrow lays upon me – 

 

The mountain king was frightened that his wife might stay

– Time passes slowly –

He rode as fast as fire to spirit her away

– How heavy my sorrow lays upon me – 

 

“Your children need their mother at home with them tonight”

– Time passes slowly –

“Won’t you come with me now before the day’s last light”

– How heavy my sorrow lays upon me – 

 

As they mounted his great steed her eyes with tears did burn,

– Time passes slowly –

“Goodbye now my darlings, I shall not return.”

– How heavy my sorrow lays upon me – 

 

She rapped with tiny fingers on the mountain dome,

– Time passes slowly –

Unlock the door, my daughter, I have come back home.

– How heavy my sorrow lays upon me –