My — Mother Told Me

"My Mother Told Me" ( Þat mælti mín móðir ) is a 13th-century Old Norse poem famously attributed to Egill Skallagrímsson, gaining modern fame as a Viking-themed song featured in the TV show Vikings . While popularized as a sea shanty, the original verse from Egils saga actually depicts a dark story of a seven-year-old Egill committing murder and receiving approval from his mother.

The poem's lyrics focus on Viking aspirations for naval combat and exploration, with the original Old Norse ending explicitly referencing violent action. The song's popularity surged on social media through covers by artists like Peyton Parrish and various folk adaptations. My Mother Told Me