Herr Mannelig

Early one morning before the sun rose
Before the birds began to sing
The mountain troll proposed to a fair young man
She had a deceitful tongue

Mr. Mannelig, Mr. Mannelig, will you marry me?
For what I offer so gladly
You can only answer yes or no
Whether you want to or not

I will give you twelve steeds
That graze in the rose grove
Never has a saddle been upon them
Nor a bit in their mouths

Mr. Mannelig, Mr. Mannelig, will you marry me?
For what I offer so gladly
You can only answer yes or no
Whether you want to or not

I will give you twelve mills
That stand between Tillö and Ternö
The stones are of the reddest gold
And the wheels are silver-plated

Mr. Mannelig, Mr. Mannelig, will you marry me?
For what I offer so gladly
You can only answer yes or no
Whether you want to or not

I will give you a gilded sword
That rings with fifteen gold rings
And fight however you wish
You shall surely win the battle

Mr. Mannelig, Mr. Mannelig, will you marry me?
For what I offer so gladly
You can only answer yes or no
Whether you want to or not

I will give you a shirt so new
The best you desire to tear
It is not sewn with needle or thread
But crocheted of white silk

Mr. Mannelig, Mr. Mannelig, will you marry me?
For what I offer so gladly
You can only answer yes or no
Whether you want to or not

Such gifts I would gladly accept
If you were a Christian woman
But now you are the worst mountain troll
With the voice of the Neck and the devil

Mr. Mannelig, Mr. Mannelig, will you marry me?
For what I offer so gladly
You can only answer yes or no
Whether you want to or not

The mountain troll ran out the door
She shakes and laments heavily
Had I gotten the fair young man
Then I would have lost my torment

Mr. Mannelig, Mr. Mannelig, will you marry me?
For what I offer so gladly
You can only answer yes or no
Whether you want to or not