Alternative Lyrics to Well Known Songs: 4 - Shine On

[Pre-amble: This is one in a series of posts which includes an alternative set of lyrics to a well known song.  Each post will also contain a short introduction to the topic at hand, and a brief explanation of the song itself.  A video of the original song will be included so that the reader can listen to the original song while reciting the alternative lyrics at the same time.]

The Song: Shine On (Based on Shine On by House of Love)

This is a song about a story from Norse mythology, and involves just three characters (one of whom you know): Thor, Sif (a fertilitity goddess who is married to Thor, and is known for her golden hair), and Loki (a fire giant who is known as 'The Trickster' because, well, that's what he is!).

The story goes that one night, Loki, in a mischievous mood, decides to creep into Sifs house and cut her golden hair off.  When Thor comes back home and finds out what has transgressed, he threatens to bash Loki with his hammer (Mjolnir) if Loki doesn't put the situation right.  Loki listens to Thor and so pays a visit to some Dwarves (who are well known for being excellent craftsmen) who make a replacement wig for Sif, made of pure gold.  Loki gives the wig to Sif, who takes it and puts it on.  The wig then fuses with her head and becomes like her original hair, only golder and brighter.  (A full re-telling can be found HERE.)

Loki from the Uppsala site.  A fire-haired Loki displays his fire-minded ways.  He is very much like fire: chaotic, on-edge, unpredictable, impetuous, dangerous yet also necessary.  It's never a dull moment with Loki around!

I don't know what the moral of this story is.  It depends whether you see Loki as 'a loveable rogue whose impetuousness gets him into sticky-situations', or as a 'cunning soul with far-sightedness that helps everyone'.  If you see him as a 'loveable rogue' then his Mischief-Making is only childish fun.  But if you see him as 'cunning' then you see his Mischief-Making in a completely different light.



Play the song and sing along with the lyrics given below.

# Shine On #

Sleeping sound on a goose-feather bed,

Sif was peaceful and deep in dream-land,

When Loki crept in her private-quarters,

Intent on mischief,

On this day.

He saw Sif's hair and he saw it shine.

It shined so bright because it was divine.

Loki took it and he chopped it off,

The Trickster,

Just for fun.

Sif,

Sif, Sif, Sif, shine on.

Sif, Sif, Sif, shine on.

Sif, Sif, Sif, shine on.

Thor came home and he saw Sif's head,

He saw the evil that Loki had done.

Thor threatened to bash Loki,

with Mjolnir,

for his deeds.

Sif,

Sif, Sif, Sif, shine on.

Sif, Sif, Sif, shine on.

Sif, Sif, Sif, shine on.

It transpi-ired that Loki heeded Thor.

He went to a Dwarf,

Who made replacement golden hair.

It was bright, so bright as the summers day.

It was golden.

It will last,

For eternity.

Sleeping sound on a goosefeather bed,

Sif was peaceful and deep in dream-land,

When Loki crept in her private-quarters,

Intent on mischief,

On this day.

Sif,

Sif, Sif, Sif, shine on.

Sif, Sif, Sif, shine on.

Sif, Sif, Sif, shine on.

Oh Sif,

Sif, Sif, Sif, shine on.

Sif, Sif, Sif, shine on.

Sif, Sif, Sif, shine on.

Oh Sif,

Sif, Sif, Sif, shine on.

Sif, Sif, Sif, shine on.

Sif, Sif, Sif, shine on.

And on.

And on.

Shine.

Shine on.

Shine.

Shine.

[End of lyrics.]