Harald Hardrada: Varangian, Crusader, Viking (Old Norse Saga Song)

Here’s another Old Norse song, composed and performed by me - the latest in my Sagas in Song series. It is based on the Saga of Harald Hardrada by Snorri Sturluson. Harald Hardrada (lit. Harald the Harsh-Ruler - there are many interpretations/possible translations of this name, but I think Harsh-Ruler is probably the best) was, essentially, an absolute chad. Of all the Norwegian kings and heroes from the sagas, he’s probably my all-time favourite. He achieved and did more in his life than most people could only dream of doing in several lifetimes. For the purposes of the song, I’ve picked out some of the highlights of his life as told in the saga. He fought with his half-brother St Olaf II at Stiklestad aged only 15, went east to Kievan Rus and Constantinople not long afterwards and quickly became the prime Varangian Guardsman for the Byzantine Empire. In this role, he fought many wars (too many to include in one song), but his mightiest achievements in this role were probably against the Bulgar