Who will sing me
Into the death-sleep sling me
When I walk the road to Hel
And the tracks I tread
Are cold, so cold
I sought the songs
I sent the songs
When the deepest well
Offered drops so mighty
Of Valfather’s pledge
I know it all, Odin
Where you hid your eye
Early or in fading day
Still the raven knows if I fall
When you stand by the gate of Hel
And when you must tear loose
Follow you I shall
Across the bridge of Gjöll
With my song
You will be free from the bonds that bind you
You are free from the bonds that bound you
[Håvamål - The High Ones' Speech, Poetic Edda]
Cattle die, kinsmen die
You yourself will also die
But the word about you will never die
If you win a good reputation
Cattle die, kinsmen die
You yourself will also die
I know one thing that never dies
The reputation of those who died