The Rusalka

Lyrics by Yael, who plays Danika Alicja Dabrowska. The melody is based on Herr Mannelig, a Swedish folk ballad, by Garmarna.

A recording is available here by Yael

Early one morning, not far from Semmerlak The cold light poured into a tavern; A shapeshifted Rusalka met a warden there; She looked like a beautiful woman,

Chorus: Oh Warden, oh Warden, won't you marry me For all that I'll gladly give you You may answer only yes or no Will you do so or no

To you I will give the twelve fine mills That stand between Karsk and Karov, The mill stones are made of the reddest brass And the wheels are gilded with silver;

To you I will give the mighty iron axe That jingles from fifteen steel rings And strike with it and kill in the battlefield Many foes you’ll be conquering;

To you I will give a brand new shirt Of lustrous wool and fine furs; It is not sewn with needle or thread But embroidered with the finest colours

Gifts such as these I would gladly receive If you were a fellow Varushkan, But I know that you are not who you seem to be, For surely, you are a Rusalka.

The warden did not strike her, nor did he lift his sword, For he knew of the ancient traditions; He offered her a drink, and bread for the road, And watched her angst and frustration;

The angry Rusalka ran out the door She wailed and she wept and she shrieked; "Had I gotten him to have me as his wife I would sink him in the deep!"