The latest “Song of the Day” comes from my latest obsession that should take up much free time I have when not blogging or working. It’s the main theme from the latest entry in the Elder Scrolls rpg franchise from Bethesda, Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. The theme has been unofficially called “Song of the Dragonborn” and I’m more than fine with that unofficial title.
“Song of the Dragonborn” was written and composed by this franchise’s longtime music composer in Jeremy Soule. He has done the orchestral score in this series’ previous two titles and this latest one looks to continue the quality work he’s done in the past. The song is a combination of Wagnerian-style orchestral music with the martial chanting by the male chorus. The chorus itself is from the fictional language of the Nord (the Viking like race in the game) created just for this game.
All I can say is that this song has been on constant repeat since I started playing this game and it’s such a great backdrop to slaying people and things in the game with my Nord Warrior, Berek Thunderfist.
Song of the Dragonborn
(Chorus)
Dovahkiin, Dovahkiin, naal ok zin los vahriin,
Wah dein vokul mahfaeraak ahst vaal!
Ahrk fin norok paal graan fod nust hon zindro zaan,
Dovahkiin, fah hin kogaan mu draal!
Huzrah nu, kul do od, wah aan bok lingrah vod,
Ahrk fin tey, boziik fun, do fin gein!
Wo lost fron wah ney dov, ahrk fin reyliik do jul,
Voth aan suleyk wah ronit faal krein!
Ahrk fin zul, rok drey kod, nau tol morokei frod,
Rul lot Taazokaan motaad voth kein!
Sahrot Thu’um, med aan tuz, vey zeim hokoron pah,
Ol fin Dovahkiin komeyt ok rein!
(Chorus)
Dovahkiin, Dovahkiin, naal ok zin los vahriin,
Wah dein vokul mahfaeraak ahst vaal!
Ahrk fin norok paal graan fod nust hon zindro zaan,
Dovahkiin, fah hin kogaan mu draal!
Ahrk fin Kel lost prodah, do ved viing ko fin krah,
Tol fod zeymah win kein meyz fundein!
Alduin, feyn do jun, kruziik vokun staadnau,
Voth aan bahlok wah diivon fin lein!
Nuz aan sul, fent alok, fod fin vul dovah nok,
Fen kos nahlot mahfaeraak ahrk ruz!
Paaz Keizaal fen kos stin nol bein Alduin jot,
Dovahkiin kos fin saviik do muz!
(Chorus)
Dovahkiin, Dovahkiin, naal ok zin los vahriin,
Wah dein vokul mahfaeraak ahst vaal!
Ahrk fin norok paal graan fodnust vok zin dro zaan,
Dovahkiin, fah hin kogaan mu draal!
* * * * *
(Chorus)
Dragonborn, Dragonborn, by his honor is sworn,
To keep evil forever at bay!
And the fiercest foes rout when they hear triumph’s shout,
Dragonborn, for your blessing we pray!
Hearken now, sons of snow, to an age, long ago,
And the tale, boldly told, of the one!
Who was kin to both wyrm, and the races of man,
With a power to rival the sun!
And the voice, he did wield, on that glorious field,
When great Tamriel shuddered with war!
Mighty Thu’um, like a blade, cut through enemies all,
As the Dragonborn issued his roar!
(Chorus)
Dragonborn, Dragonborn, by his honor is sworn,
To keep evil forever at bay!
And the fiercest foes rout when they hear triumph’s shout,
Dragonborn, for your blessing we pray!
And the Scrolls have foretold, of black wings in the cold,
That when brothers wage war come unfurled!
Alduin, Bane of Kings, ancient shadow unbound,
With a hunger to swallow the world!
But a day, shall arise, when the dark dragon’s lies,
Will be silenced forever and then!
Fair Skyrim will be free from foul Alduin’s maw,
Dragonborn be the savior of men!
(Chorus)
Dragonborn, Dragonborn, by his honor is sworn,
To keep evil forever at bay!
And the fiercest foes rout when they hear triumph’s shout,
Dragonborn, for your blessing we pray!
Through the Shattered Lens 
Thanks! Been looking for a decent translation of this gorgeous song for ages! ;D
LikeLike
You’re welcome! I’ve put up a much easier to read version of the lyrics and it’s translation.
LikeLike
Thank you so much! I’m a bit puzzled though. I tried to match the song to the lyrics, but notice that the song seems shorter than the lyrics available? Am I crazy?
I am most curious to know which part this matches, and I like this the best: “But a day, shall arise, when the dark dragon’s lies,
Will be silenced forever and then!
Fair Skyrim will be free from foul Alduin’s maw,
Dragonborn be the savior of men!”
LikeLike
Nope, you’re not crazy. LOL.
The Dragon-tongue lyrics sometimes sung without pauses between words.
Also, the way I posted the lyrics and translation exactly matches each line. I think what throws people off is somewhere in the middle when the boy choir comes in. In the background continues part of the lyrics.
Buying the Prima Games hardcover limited edition strategy guide for Skyrim best investment since on page 4 or so is the lyrics to the song. 🙂
LikeLike
Nuz aan sul, fent alok, fod fin vul dovah nok
Fen kos nahlot mafaeraak ahrk ruz
paz Keizal fen kos stin bein Alduin jot
Dovahkiin kos fin saviik do muz
that corresponds with the verse u were looking for
LikeLike
You know, I’m surprised you haven’t figured out that Song of the Dragonborn is a lyricised adaptation of Reign of the Septims already. Or maybe not. I’m not really sure, you see. Here, have some cheese while I skip rope with your intestines.
LikeLike
Ahh, was wondering when the Prince of Madness would deign to visit. Anyone who has listened to Dragonborn can hear it sharing musical cues from Reign of the Septims. Some have said it also has some cues from Nerevar Rising but I, myself, cannot hear it.
LikeLike
Ah, yes, Nerevar Rising AKA Morrowind Title Theme has also been adapted into Song of the Dragonborn. You know, Morrowind is the story of when I had the false Nerevarine stick the Fork of Horripilation into a Giant Bull Netch to make sure it was done, after which I gave her the Spear of Bitter Mercy for her trouble. She didn’t seem to be properly grateful to Me, muttering that she more important things to be getting on with, but I let it go. I’m merciful like that, unlike some other Princes I could mention.
LikeLike
BTW, this Wabbajack you gave me doesn’t seem to be working properly.
LikeLike
Oh, did I ‘forget to mention’ that it won’t work on humanoids? No matter, you’re far enough down the Golden Road from all the frustration that resulted from your naturally fruitless attempts at turning Argonians into other things.
LikeLike
I know all that. I meant it won’t turn these mammoths I use it on into bunnies.
LikeLike
Okay, well giants and their mammoths aren’t automatically hostile, thus not enemies. Wabbajack will only work against non-humanoid enemies.
LikeLike
Not enemies…tell that to them while one tries to pulp me with a giant bone and the other tries to squish me with mammoth feet.
LikeLike
I have wanted to mention, you are in need of a new gatekeeper. Since I am in aquaintence with the dragonborn, I have been helping them. And whole they were taking a visit to the shivering isles, I saw that he had… dealt with him. I realize that you are probably aware of this, but I wish you best of luck on finding, or if you would like, then I could provide you with a few of my loyal wolves. :3
LikeLike
Are your loyal wolves housebroken?
LikeLike
Have you tried not getting too close? Or you could try Walks-in-Shadows’ method of firing an arrow into them, hiding behind something until they’re calm once more, then firing again. I’m keeping an eye on that Argonian because there aren’t many who understand that melee and magicka aren’t the only ways to get things done.
LikeLike
Where’s the fun in staying away from Giants and Mammoths.
LikeLike
And another one goes
And another one goes
And another one goes insane
Hey, your mind is now Mine
Another one goes insane
Just talking about how I’ve successfully led you down the Golden Road. *Whistles the Final Fantasy Battle Victory Theme*
LikeLike
Ahhh, I see Sheogorath has given you a wabbajack. I have tried one on a willing creature of mine. I was interested in seeing how it worked. The wolf did not change, so I tryed it on a mammoth, and it did not work. I have yet to inform Sheogorath of this.
LikeLike
I’m sory to say those lyrics above are inaccurate, in fact those lyrics have 3 choruses when they are in fact only two in the song, and a whole lot of extra lyrics that after many, many, times scouring the song, cannot find. The actual lyrics are:
Dovahkiin, Dovahkiin,
Naal ok zin, los vahriin,
Wah dien vokul mahfaeraak ahst vaal!
Ahrk fin norok paal graan,
Fod nust hon zindro zaan,
Dovahkiin, fah hin kogaan mu draal!
Huzrah nu, kul do od,
wah aan bok lingrah vod,
Ahrk fin tey, baziik fun,
do fin gein!
Wo lost fron wah ney dov,
arhk fin reyliik do jul,
Voth aan suleyk wah ronit faal krein!
Fod zeymah win kein meyz fundein!
Alduin, feyn do jun,
kruziik vokun staadnau,
Voth aan bahlok nah diivon fin lein.
Nuz aan sul, fent alok,
fod fin vul dovah nok,
Fen kos nahlot mahfaeraak ahrk ruz!
Paaz Keizaal fen kos stin nol bein Alduin jot!
Dovahkiin, Dovahkiin,
Naal ok zin, los vahriin,
Wah dien vokul mahfaeraak ahst vaal!
Ahrk fin norok paal graan,
Fod nust hon zindro zaan,
Dovahkiin, fah hin kogaan mu draal!
LikeLike
Inaccurate? hmmm…I got it straight from the official skyrim hardcover guide which I would assume was given to them by Bethesda. I will admit that the way the song is sung some of the words tend to flow into each other sounding like one long one.
LikeLike
No, what I mean is that it seems the song “dragonborn” has a shortened version of those lyrics. The full lyrics you have posted I will say in retrospect,after further investigation, are correct. However as I stated before the song ‘Dragonborn’ or ‘song of the Dragonborn’ as some call it, doesn’t have all those lyrics in it. If you listen carefully, the missing lines are
Ahrk fin zul, rok drey kod, nau tol morokei frod,
Rul lot Taazokaan motaad voth kein!
Sahrot Thu’um, med aan tuz, vey zeim hokoron pah,
Ol fin Dovahkiin komeyt ok rein!
Dovahkiin, Dovahkiin, naal ok zin los vahriin,
Wah dein vokul mahfaeraak ahst vaal!
Ahrk fin norok paal graan fod nust hon zindro zaan,
Dovahkiin, fah hin kogaan mu draal!
Ahrk fin Kel lost prodah, do ved viing ko fin krah
Now excluding the chorus in the middle, All the lyrics are present in the song ‘Sovngarde’, so I’m guess that the lyrics that you and many other sites posted are the FULL song, but the actual song dragonborn excluded some of them to make the song flow better, or just to shorten it for presentation.
I must also say that the section:
And the Scrolls have foretold, of black wings in the cold,
That when brothers wage war come unfurled!
Alduin, Bane of Kings, ancient shadow unbound,
With a hunger to swallow the world!
makes little sense when you remove “And the Scrolls have foretold, of black wings in the cold,” which corresponds to “Ahrk fin Kel lost prodah, do ved viing ko fin krah”, but that line is one that is not present in “dragonborn”.
LikeLike
Yes, since they’re werewolves. It wouldn’t really matter if they weren’t, though. I mean, if My celebrants are willing to wade through huge piles of old wolf turds just to come see Me…
LikeLike
Hail! Sheogorath! Champion of Cyrodiil! Lord of Madness! Slayer of Jiggylag! And so on so forth. Oh, do say hello to Haskill for me. I also found a new intestine jump rope for you Madgod
LikeLike
Although, i have to ask, did Ma’iq ever visit the Isles? he seems a bit… Manic to me
LikeLike
What are the stats for the intestine jump ropes?
LikeLike
Thank you for the cattle’s intestine skipping rope. Stretched between Haskill and Wide-Eye, it should be plenty long enough for me and my chosen mate, Vicente Valtieri, to skip rope together.
LikeLike
Sang this song for my little brother at his b-day (he is a HUGE Elder Scrolls fan as am I). I noticed that when a group of 16 yr olds (numbering around 12 of em) all sing this song (only half of us could do the draconic version tho) it sends shivers up ur spine
LikeLike
can any1 find a version w/o the bacground music? I can hardly hear some parts of the main song and I wanna learn to sing all of it
LikeLike
Have you tried Googling “Sons of Skyrim acapella version”? (Yeah, the buggers at BethSoft changed its name. And I thought _I_ was crazy!)
LikeLike
hmm, although, You never answered my question about Ma’iq…
LikeLike
@ Noromical: My apologies for not answering your question the last time, Haskill was insistent that I try a new cheese from your universe. It comes from your moon, apparently. Most interesting! Anyway, to answer your question, it depends on what you mean by visited. M’aiq entered My realm, ran around Passwall, then when he found out he would have to stay in that town for a while if he wanted to get any further, he ran out again, saying, “M’aiq wonders if Malacath is more accomodating.”
LikeLike
How was the moon cheese?
LikeLike
I think it must have been kept in the Pelagius Wing of the Blue Palace in Solitude because it was very dusty and gritty.
LikeLike
by visit i meant stayed long enough to come under the influence of Your realm’s magic that You imbued into it. Also, if You happen to see Nocturnal, give her my regards, and also, Pelagius needs a new hip bone…
LikeLike
1. M’aiq came under My realm’s influence only very slightly, but that’s not too little!
2. I passed on your regards to Nocturnal, and She asked for Her mask back.
3. Obviously not, as he seems to be walking around fine without it.
LikeLike
ok, as for Nocturnal’s cowl, i may be head of thieves guild, but i can’t find where Mercer stashed the darn thing
and also, would it be possible for You to loan me 10 Mazken? We have had some issues with order here in Skyrim, and I don’t mean
LikeLike
ok, as for Nocturnal’s cowl, i may be head of thieves guild, but i can’t find where Mercer stashed the darn thing
and also, would it be possible for You to loan me 10 Mazken? We have had some issues with order here in Skyrim, and I don’t mean peace keeping, it seems the Knights of Order have been spotted outside Skyrim’s borders… (srry for double post, smart phones are stupid)
LikeLike
@ Noromical: Why so modest of your needs? As I recall from the time before I became Me, those Knights are TOUGH! So I’m going to commission twenty Mazken to go to your aid. (Don’t tell Haskill, but I prefer the Mazken, too. So dark, yet so nice. Books and covers, eh?)
LikeLike
The reason I asked for Mazken is cuz they look like dunmer (except for the eyes) qnd the docks have Order knights walking about. but thank You, and tell Jyggylagg to stay out of Tamriel, i have already repelled one daedric prince from Tamriel, i can handle another
btw, tell Nocturnal i found her cowl and I am on my way to her shrine in Cyrodiil with it
LikeLike
Umm… Madgod, I have a bit of an issue down in Bravil (Cyrodiil province), those crystal obelisks are starting to appear in the bay where your portal between Tamriel and the Isles used to be… Th
LikeLike