Ég var hin þyrsta þyrnirós,
en þú hið unga vÃn.
Ég var hinn blindi, er bað um ljós,
þú blys, sem alltaf skÃn.
Ég var sú lind, sem leggur fljótt,
þú léttur blær og hlýr.
Ég var hin þyrsta, þögla nótt,
sem þráði ævintýr.
à bak við fjöllin beið ég þÃn;
ég beið þÃn út við sund.
Ég las þér fyrstu ljóðin mÃn
á lÃfsins óskastund.
Með kross á brjósti, à hvÃtum hjúp
þú komst að hjarta mér;
á lÃfsins ey, á dauðans djúp
sló dýrð úr augum þér.
Ég var hin þyrsta þyrnirós,
en þú hið unga vÃn,
og nóttin kom með norðurljós
og nýjan söng til mÃn.
Við höfum töfratjöldin gist,
og tÃminn leið þar fljótt,
en þar var bjart, og þú varst kysst
à þúsund og eina nótt.
Þó særðir fuglar syngi dátt,
er söngur þeirra kvein.
Þeir finna til, sem flugu hátt
og féllu niður á stein.
Og yfir djúpi dimmir fljótt,
er dagur burtu flýr.
Ég er hin þreytta, þögla nótt,
en þú varst ævintýr.
English translation:
But you were a fairytale-
I was the thirsty sleeping beauty
but you were the young wine.
I was the blind that begged for light
you were a light that always shone.
I was the spring that turned into a river
you were a light and warm breeze.
I was the tired quiet night
that longed for a fairytale.
Behind the mountains I waited for you
I waited for you by the sea.
I read you my first poems
at life's wishing moments.
With a cross on your chest in a white gown
you touched my heart.
At life's island, at death's valley
shone glory from your eyes.
I was the thirsty sleeping beauty
but you the young wine.
And the night brought us northern lights
and a new song to me.
We have slept under the magic tent
and time escaped quickly.
But there it was bright and you were kissed
for a thousand and one night.
Though wounded birds sing loud
their song is a wail.
They hurt the most that flew high
and fell down to a stone.
And over the valley it darkens fast
as day escapes away.
I was the thirsty quiet night
but you were a fairytale.