Gilead – Herr Mannelig (Thousand Times 2015)

“Herr Mannelig” (from Sweedish “sir Mannelig”) is a medieval Scandinavian folk ballad. This song tells us about a troll woman who fell in love with a knight named Mannelig and wanted to become human. According to a widespread Scandinavian legend, a troll could have turned into a human being if a human has loved him or her. The troll woman offers the knight multiple gifts, including a silk shirt, mills with copper grindstones and a magic sword. However, sir Mannelig refuses her love, emphasizing that the troll woman is not Christian. Many consider that the lyrics have a satirical implication: there are some subtle hints that the troll woman and the knight had a sexual intercourse earlier. The original text was written in Old Norse. Lyrics: Bittida en morgon innan solen upprann Innan foglarna borjade sjunga Bergatroliet friade till fager ungersven Hon hade en falskeliger tunga :Herr Mannelig herr Mannelig trolofven i mig For det jag bjuder sa gerna I kunnen val svara endast ja el