The Childish Edda
Words by Bela of Eastmarch (Poul Anderson) and Ron Ellik
TTTO The Ballad of Jesse James


Chorus (after every verse):
     G                                   D
Yggdrasil, where Nine Worlds clash, is a noble piece of ash
                                          A
That shelters Norns and Gods and all that crew.
                                     G               D
There, a dragon gnaws the base of an eagle's resting place,
                           A                     D
And four harts, a goat and squirrel complete the zoo.


       D                       G                D
Frigga took a year or so, and, except for mistletoe,
                                        A
Got from everything an oath for Baldr's good.
     D                           G            D
Evil Loki wished him harm, so he hired Hodr's arm
                            A                 D
And the staff the Blind God threw was kissing wood.

Tyr vowed Fenris Wolf his hand if he couldn't break the band
That All Father's wisdom made both light and hefty.
Lupine muscles strained away, but the magic held its sway
And from then until The Time they called Tyr "Lefty."

When Thor went out to fish, he quickly got his wish,
And he hauled a Jormungandr from the bay.
But Hymr cut the cable, and Thor was only able
To brag about "the one that got away."

When Thor called on the Giants, they didn't show defiance,
But they soon got rid of him, and of his hammer.
For the sea he could not swallow, and old Grandmaw beat him hollow,
And the house pet caused an awful katzenjammer.

Asa Thor became a "her" for to repossess Mjollnir
And unto a frosty brute his troth did plight.
But the vittles that he ate would an army more than sate,
And the chefs at Utgard always rued that night.

Each God's apple every day kept the doctor far away
'Til a Giant captured Ydun from their halls.
Loki fetched home Bragi's bride with her health food store besides,
Plus a char broiled eagle underneath the walls.

Odin said to Mim, "I think I would sort of like a drink."
Answered Mim, "That will cost you your left eye.
For you've come so very late to the Well at Wisdom's Gate,
And the set up prices after hours are high."

Oh, the Giants brought their war up to Bifrost's very door,
And the battling wrecked Asgard's perfect clime.
Jormungandr, Hel, and Fenris dealt out Death in doses gen'rous
And in fighting did the Aesir pass The Time.