Charles Martel [Song in Frankish] | The Skaldic Bard

Here’s another song I wrote and performed, this time in Old Franconian/late Frankish - specifically Austrasian Franconian, as that is likely the dialect that Charles Martel would have spoken.

The song is based on the famous Battle of Tours in 732, where Charles responded to Duke Otto of Aquitaine’s plea for aid against the rampaging Umayyad Caliphate that had recently conquered Spain. Charles and his Franks fought valiantly and prevented France, and likely the rest of Europe, from being conquered and converted.

There isn’t a great deal of information available on Frankish and its numerous dialects. As such, there is a bit of reconstruction and artistic license taken at times. This dialect, Austrasian Franconian, was on the verge of “merging” into Old High German at the time the song is set, so elements of the language are consistent with other dialects of Old High German. I followed the pronunciation rules of the time as closely as I could, but naturally, it may not be perfect.

Many thanks for your kindness and support, as always.

Please do not redistribute my work without permission. Feel free to email me with any inquiries!

My intention is exclusively to teach history and languages through song. I do not condone, endorse or seek to glorify violence.

Lyrics:
Heidine man sluogun nahgibura ioh bruoder unse.
Abur thes hoisten megin biscatuit euwih!
Ir selbo Christ ist Got ioh druhtin

fora dhemu sindun dheodun ioh riihi chihneigidiu

Karl, dher Hamar,
Frankono kuning!
Ir willon Gotes deda!

Karl, dher Hamar,
Frankono kuning!
Ir Frankonolant nerida!

Quad Otto dhem kuninge: “Hilf minan liudin!”
“Heigun heidine man harto bidwungan!”

Huob Karl gundfanon uf, dher muotago wigant,
dhen ir almahtic Got sendida.

Ir nam skild indi sper, Gode lob sageda.
Chinemnet sinan namon Heilant!

Suman thuruhskluog ir, suman thuruhstah!
Sin warth ther sigikamf!

Hwer ist ther druhtin?
Thaz lioht in finstarnessin ist!
Ni forhti thu thir.
After guotliihhin quimit ir.
So regonoda druhtin ubar Sodomam endi Gomorram swebil endi fyur,
so bim ih ubar fianta Frankonolantes chisendit!

Karl, dher Hamar,
Frankono kuning!
Ir willon Gotes deda!

Karl, dher Hamar,
Frankono kuning!
Ir Frankonolant nerida!

[SkaldBard]

Note: I've seen a few people comment that Charles Martel wasn't king of the Franks, and while that is true from a formal perspective, he was the de facto leader of the Franks. The word "king" was used in older Germanic culture interchangeably with "leader" (e.g. Norway had many "konungar" at one point), so that's the essence I'm striving for here. Slightly later Anglo-Saxon translators of the Latin term "dux Francorum" also translated it as "Froncna cyning" (king of the Franks), so it seems like a fairly authentic rendering in Frankish too.

Anyhow, here’s another song I wrote and performed, this time in Old Franconian/late Frankish - specifically Austrasian Franconian, as that is likely the dialect that Charles Martel (literally: Charles the Hammer) would have spoken.

The song is based on the famous Battle of Tours in 732, where Charles responded to Duke Otto of Aquitaine’s plea for aid against the rampaging Umayyad Caliphate that had recently conquered Spain. Charles and his Franks fought valiantly and prevented France, and likely the rest of Europe, from being conquered and converted.

There isn’t a great deal of information available on Frankish and its numerous dialects. As such, there is a bit of reconstruction and artistic license taken at times. This dialect, Austrasian Franconian, was on the verge of “merging” into Old High German at the time the song is set, so elements of the language are consistent with other dialects of Old High German. I followed the pronunciation rules of the time as closely as I could, but naturally, it may not be perfect.


Many thanks for your kindness and support, as always.

Lyrics in description!

My intention is exclusively to teach history and languages through song. I do not condone, endorse or seek to glorify violence.

[lordwark]

Charles Martel is one of those important historical figures that many people do not even know about. Glad to see he gets some love.

[grandmarshallsteve]

The Reconquista is, without a doubt, one of the greatest examples of Christian bravery in world history, and it is awesome to see that we haven't forgotten the sacrifices of these men. God bless those warriors, and God bless you for making this song!

[easternlights]

"Karl dher Hamar, frankono kuning!" gives the same badass vibes as "Harold, Godwines sunu, endenehsta cyning Engla" and "Wæs hāl, Ælfred cyning, gewieldend Dena", choruses like this really give one the urge to fight and die for a king.

[nerevardefrance]

As a french who have lived in a town near the place where Charles died, I'm proud to hear this masterpiece. Well done, great bard !

[OneFlyingTonk]

Perhaps one of the most unknown and least understood languages outside of the niche community dedicated to its study, yet you have made it sound flawlessly alive and real. ¡Kudos to you man!

[vojtechotava]

My favourite historical figure in song from my most favourite composer. What a day!

[joshclegg]

Now you have to do song of Roland in old frankish, nice job as always.

[Killerwale-hkwy]

The sheer influence this man had is insane. People are so stuck on Charlemagne whilst his Grandfather was the one who not only had the hardest nickname every, but also pushed back the Saxons, Conquered Frisia, kept a hold on the Neustrians fought a ton in Germany. Player a big role in shaping the concepts of Feudalism, Knighthood and medieval European war doctrine. Centralised France to a level unseen since the fall, and most important of all stopped the seemingly endless streak of Islamic conquests, beating the Ummayads in a period where they seemed unbeatable.

[cmd]

As a Dutchman I can understand most of it.

Also have been to Charlemagne’s grave in Aachen as a child.

[bertrandcarel]

Love from France. I'm an Norman, born close to the place where William the conqueror's army weapons have been made and won at Hastings. Beautiful music and very intelligent, documented and sensible text.

[Hoshinosaull]

Sequel to March of Visigoths. Roderic avenged!

[kadirbozkus-sssm]

Please keep blessing our ears with your songs man... they have soul in them.

[Flavius]

In this day and age when men like Charles the Hammer are desperately needed, not only in Frankia but throught the Continent, the creation of this inspiring song is not just a work of art but a valuable contribution to our peoples.

[iberius]

Awesome song! Bringing an extinct Germanic language to life again! Excellent work, as always. That bouzouki mixed with your awesome overlayed vocals and percussive effects are your Bardic signature!

[remiamouret]

French guy here, glad to see a song about The Hammer of The Franks. First time hearing Frankish too.
Great song, as always. Discovered your chanel with Haraldr Harðráði's song, and oh my. Like Gungnir does not miss its target, not one of your songs fails to impress.
Much respect from France. ^^

[Anglo-SaxonTeaDrinker]

Incredible! Your knowledge of archaic languages is truly impressive. Please create more songs in Old English, and also some in Old French!

[DBW]

We need more songs in Frankish, it's such a rare language that almost nobody has heard in over 1, 200 years

[fredericbiguenet]

This is a banger. God bless you the skaldic bard.

[draculin]

Wow, you did it again. Awesome, more than just a song - you created a true hymn. And unlike the case of other "medieval inspired artists", your songs have a true soul. Thank you.