Actually Faroese began diverging from Old West Norse in the 9th century, if I recall correctly; by the 15th century it was st ill

mutually intelligible with Norn.  During the Danish Reformation, Faroese was outlawed in schools and in government but remained

the spoken language of the people.  The lack of a standard written language fostered a more rapid evolution of the language than

would have been expected had the language continued to be taught in schools and used in writing.   

 

Scott Catledge

 

From: norse_course@yahoogroups.com [mailto: norse_course@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of Amon
Sent: Friday, June 12, 2009 7:21 PM
To: norse_course@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [norse_course] Re: A song called Grímur Á Miðalnesi (Old faroese)

 




--- In norse_course@ yahoogroups. com, "Stefano Mazza" <stefanomzz@ ...> wrote:

>
> I think that Brian's translation is accurate.
> "Grímur Á Miðalnesi" is a traditional Faroese song, the complete
text is found on hildarheygur:
>
>
href="http://www.hildarheygur.dk/?sprog=&side=a2ed023ff5d13b60caf37d997fa2c247">http://www.hildarhe ygur.dk/? sprog=&side= a2ed023ff5d13b60 caf37d997fa2c247
>
> The same band (Týr) have recorded other interesting Faroese poems recited
by local people like "Nornagest rima" (text can be found here: http://www.heimskri ngla.no/wiki/ Nornagests_ r%C3%ADma), or have put them to music, like "Ormurinn langi" (on Olaf Tryggvason, text here: http://www.heimskri ngla.no/wiki/ Ormurinn_ langi) and "Regin smiður" (http://www.heimskri ngla.no/wiki/ Regin_smi% C3%B0ur).
> One cannot dig the music, but the experiment is quite amazing.
>
> You can also find original recordings of Faroese songs (Føroyskur dansur)
on Heimskringla:
>
>
href="http://www.heimskringla.no/wiki/F%C3%B8roysk_kv%C3%A6%C3%B0al%C3%B8g">http://www.heimskri ngla.no/wiki/ F%C3%B8roysk_ kv%C3%A6% C3%B0al%C3% B8g
>
> By the way, I was wondering if those traditional songs are to be
considered as "Old" Faroese literature, e.g. coming directly from Middle Age, or if they have been composed in later times.
> I know that the Faroese language did not branch from Old Norse until 15th
century, is this right?
>
> Stefano
>
>
> --- In norse_course@ yahoogroups. com,
"Amon" <marko_kolaric@ > wrote:
> >
> > Hi there,
> > i was wandering if anyone can translate this song.
> > Its in old faroese.
> > Here is this song singed by 3 old grandpas from the begining of 1900
> > The recording itself is old, but the band improved its quality.
> >
> > http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=5PZHk2VzXKg
> >
> > Here are the lyrics:
> >
> > Gevið ljóðið og lýði á
> > Fátt er um at røða
> > Bóndin fyrstur heimin bygdi
> > Harum vil eg kvøða
> >
> > Vítt um vegir gyltnir hjálmar syngja
> > Stíga á sínar hestar teir springa
> > Hoyrast kundi langen veg sum teirra sporar ringja
> > Vítt um vegir gyltnir hjálmar syngja
> >
> > Frændir teir á skógin ríða
> > Við so góðum treysti
> > Sóu brenna heitan eld
> > Og hartil fagrar kostir
> >
> > Vítt um vegir gyltnir hjálmar syngja
> > Stíga á sínar hestar teir springa
> > Hoyrast kundi langen veg sum teirra sporar ringja
> > Vítt um vegir gyltnir hjálmar syngja
> >
>

Thank you very much. I have searched for accurate translation but could not find it.