The Horn That Drank The Sea

Across the frost and mountain stone

The thunder god did ride alone

With loki laughing at his side

And þjálfi swift in youthful stride

They came at last to a giant hall

Where laughter echoed off the wall

For útgarða-loki raised a grin

Come test your strength if you would win

Drink this horn the giant said

Thor just laughed and tipped his head

One mighty pull of ale so deep

Yet still the horn was far from empty

Again he drank with thunder's breath

Till the rafters shook beneath his chest

But when he lowered the horn once more

The drink still sloshed along its floor

Ho fill the horn and pass it round

Let the northern halls resound

Drink it deep and drink it free

Like thor who drank the northern sea

Ho raise your voice and stomp the floor

Thunder shakes the giant's door

Sing it loud for you and me

The day thor drank the sea

Then next they brought a gray old cat

Lift her up they laughed at that

Thor bent low with a thunder growl

And strained against the creature's prowl

Up she arched with a serpent's grace

Till one paw lifted from its place

The giants gasped though none would say

What secret beast he'd raised that day

Then came a crone with wrinkled skin

To wrestle her if you would win

Thor fought hard with might and pride

But the old one forced him to one knee aside

The giants roared and mocked his name

Till morning broke and truth then came

For útgarða-loki laughed and said

You've shaken the world with what you did

That horn you drank was ocean tide

The sea itself you pulled aside

The cat you fought the world serpent be

And old age none can victory see

Thor raised his hammer in angry roar

But the hall was gone forevermore

Yet sailors swear by storm and breeze

That thor once drank the northern seas