Read it: The Wanderer’s Hávamál

Despite having read contemporary translations of Beowulf and Gilgamesh, as well as having the entirety of History Channel's Vikings under my viewing belt, I only recently became aware of the Hávamál. A Norse term that translates into "sayings of the high one" and possibly "sayings of the one-eyed", the Hávamál is a single extensive poem in the Codex Regius, a collection of Old Norse poems from the Viking age. Attributed to Odin, the poem lays out practical advice for living.

The Wanderer’s Hávamál is a modern translation of the text prepared by Dr. Jackson Crawford, a Youtube celebrity of sorts, who's online channel "features expert information on all aspects of Old Norse language, myth, culture, and sagas, plus related subjects and some other things just for fun." (Jackson Crawford's Old Norse Channel). My own awareness of his expertise and celebrity was inversely obtained: I came across the title online, ordered and read it, before realizing there even was a YouTube channel. While the Dr. Crawford envisioned while reading the book is slightly different than the "character" presented in the videos, both make Norse mythology incredibly accessible to the common joe like your's truly. Not surprisingly, however, that which is communicated verbally is a little more readily understandable than the text. In this case though, the text is insightful and challenging, in a good way, and rewards the reader who engages it either before (as in my case) or after the benefit of Dr. Crawford's very well produced and orated YouTube content.

Dr. Crawford on YouTube.

Using the familiar introduction-original text-translated text-commentary structure of many contemporary translated works, The Wanderer’s Hávamál, is a highly readable work wherein the coolest stuff (at least for this reader) lies in the commentary and explanation Dr. Crawford offers regarding his translation process and practice. The Hávamál translation, including original text, comprises less than 50% of the book (roughly 85 of 220 pages) and is laid out on the pages as 164 stanzas, some connected by repeated lines and others more randomly placed. Confident Dr. Crawford's placement of stanzas is very intentional rather than "random," to my uneducated perception of the organization, the transitions--if they exist--are less-than-clear.

Some of my favorite translated stanzas from The Wanderer’s Hávamál include the following:

While the majority of stanzas (such as 15 and 31 above) bear truth that resonates in a contemporary context, a few are not surprising a little dated, such as 84 which suggests that “no man should trust the words of a girl… Faithlessness is planted at their core.” These are after all the product of Old Norse culture so some sexist nuances are to be expected. Either as result of Crawford's choice of words in translation or the emphasis on male life in general, the overwhelming majority of The Wanderer’s Hávamál avoids overtly misogynistic advice.

Occasionally we are reminded of our original speaker of the poems as Óđin is addressed within the text. For example, in stanza 98 wherein “Billing’s daughter” suggests that “You should come back/in the evening, Óđin…”. While the deceit is that Óđin is communicating these suggestions for living

A number of stanzas throughout (especially beginning right around 97) are also directly tied to Old Norse mythology and culture through the inclusion of specific names or objects. For example, the giant’s daughter, Gunnlođ, appears in stanza 105 to offer drink to the narrator sitting upon a golden chair. Of course, her(?) name is also dropped much earlier in stanza 14 but without an identified relation to the giant. As a result, Gunnlođ's gender remains unclear to me (assuming they’re the same individual). Challenging inconsistencies of this nature only make the overall text more interesting for this reader as it invites one to actively engage in the text by researching the answers to such questions in both the edition's commentary or online.

Like Beowulf, Gilgamesh, or even the Hagakure (Book of the Samurai), Dr, Crawford's The Wanderer’s Hávamál reminds how valuable, and relatable, ancient wisdom remains in a modern context. In edition to recommending The Wanderer’s Hávamál, I would also recommend stopping by his aforementioned YouTube channel which is chock full of additional insight... both vehicles of education complement one another very well, so where you choose to begin is up to you!