Swan of Death

In Finnish mythology, dead souls have to step down to River of Death to get to Tuonela, their final resting place. Swan of Death often helps the souls, so that they wouldn't get lost - on the other hand, if you see the Swan of Death, you will die quite soon...

Thank you so much for translating this, Thiefy!


Swan of Death, the blackest bird
more black than darkes nights,
darker than duskly sorrow
colder than the sleep of death
asked a man to travel with it
to swim with it just for a while
to walk along the riverside
"There's no place for man in water
never a home among the fishes.
Why should I follow you
travel deeper by your side
sink down to the world of Ahti?" *

Swan of Death, the blackest bird
swimmer of the darkest current
looked straight to the haughty male,
the prideful son of prideful man.
"Why do you, oh man of soils
creature carrying shakles of ground
are suspicious of a helper
abandon aid so freely given?
Your road will not be danger free
to darknes path shall soon lead thee.
To safety I would guide you
to a shelter from grief, despair.

Swan of Death, the blackest bird
old and wise traveler of deep water
tried once more: "Come now friend!
Step towards the hope and joy
leave the chill of darkness behind"!
The man uttered: "How do I know,
what proves that I can trust?
Maybe you'll lead me to passing,
underneath the deepest waters
as a gift for Ahti you'd take me."
So turned the man to leave the shore,
to return to amidst the trees.

Swan of Death, the blackest bird,
worried, shook it's feathered head,
With denying answer concerns grew.
Tried just once more: "Please just wait!
You don't have to come to depths,
just walk the shallows near the shore."
The man thought a moment, two
pondered his decision long, and more.
"So be it, if your word you give,
if you lead me past the dangers."
And so stepped he into the river,
let the Swan guide him ahead.

Swan of Death, the blackest bird,
traveller of the coldest waters
floated along the riverbank
careful not to drift to depths.
Heard the wishpers from the birches,
promises of alder trees,
the quiet hums of ancient firs.
"Give him back to us, black Swan,
so he can return to home.
From soil to stream you took the man,
from home into your foreing world,
from safety to impending doom."

Swan of Death, the blackest bird
more black than darkes nights,
glanced into the blackest forest,
woodland of a grim deception.
"What do you have stored for him,
what would be his destiny?
From his path you would stray him,
alone you would leave him to travel,
from all hope you would him strip.
It's better to be brought to river,
to be guided amongst the waves,
to lead him of his doomed road."

Swan of Death, the blackest bird
The guardian of oldest oath
turned it's back to vicious birches,
looked away from gloomy firs,
led the man along the shore
guided past the patches of reeds.
Behind they left the firs and birches,
left old pines and aspen trees;
Looming ahead was massive isle,
on the lap of watery mother, a piece of land
Vivid green against the waters
life amidst the cold, dark death.

Swan of Death, the blackest bird,
the one who travels with the dead,
looked at the man, now so quiet,
a one who's words had abandoned him.
"To death your path shall lead you now,
your road takes you to lands of demise.
There you'll find the peace, the stillness
There you'll finally find your rest."
Man descendet to deeper waters,
waded toward his destination
to the dark gates of Northernlands,
to the fields of Land of Death

Swan of Death, the blackest bird,
the one who guards the River of Death
for once again it floated onwards
left the place of eternal sleep
to bring home other passing soul
to find another one of mankind.
A child of earth so easily lost,
never finds a way back home.
So the Swan shall always travel.
The Swan of Death, the blackest bird
darker than a duskly sorrow,
more black than darkes nights.


* Ahti = the king of deep waters