Viking Saga Songs: 6. Apples of Iduna
Iduna's magic apples give the Viking gods immortality. Loki isn't that fond of her...so when he is forced to help the king of the giants against the gods Iduna's apples provide the perfect opportunity to cause mayhem.
The saga
Cheeky, me? Course not! I'm just trying to be helpful.Loki
In Parts 1 and 2 of the story Odin and Loki journey to Midgard and when lunchtime comes Odin orders Loki to use his skills to make a pot of stew. The stew will not cook and a great eagle in the trees above them reveals that he has put a spell on the pot...and they must allow him to share the food. When the eagle takes too much Loki beats him...only to be carried into the air. Later the eagle reveals that he is in fact Thiassi - king of the giants - and he wants Loki's help in a plot against the gods. Loki must persuade the goddess Iduna to come out of her garden with her magic apples so that Thiassi can seize her. The gods rely on her magic apples for their everlasting youth and deprived of them they will grow old and frail.
In the saga...
| Name | Reminder |
|---|---|
| Loki | Viking god of fire |
| Odin | Chief of all the Viking gods - he makes Asgard, Midgard and Jotunheim |
| Iduna | Keeper of the magic apples that are the source of the gods' everlasting youth...and only Iduna can give the apples |
| Thiassi | King of the Giants of Jotunheim - able to transform into a huge eagle |
| Heimdall | Guardian of the rainbow bridge - he and Loki don't get on |
| Asgard | Shining city of the gods |
| Iduna's orchard | Full of apple trees that are able to speak...and warn Iduna against Loki's plans! |
| Jotunheim | Frozen home of the giants |
In the song tutorial
| Timing | Content |
|---|---|
| 00 00 | Tapping out the rhythm of the song title - 'Apples of Iduna' - and finding out about Iduna and the magic of the apples in her orchard. |
| 01 40 | Learning the chorus, beginning: 'Apples of Iduna, what is your secret?' Listening then repeating a line at a time. Noting where to take a breath. |
| 03 19 | Learning Verse 1, beginning: 'Loki and Odin...' Going straight on at 03 56 to learn Verse 2, beginning: 'Down through the river...' Noting that Verse 2 is sung higher. |
| 06 05 | Learning Verse 3, beginning: 'Off to the garden...' Noting that the verse is higher still, in a new key. |
| 07 25 | Learning Verse 4, beginning: 'Old and slow...' Noting that the words are sung slowly and with an 'old' voice. Noting the new key. |
| 09 10 | Learning Verse 5, beginning: 'Time for Loki...' and adding a chorus. |
| 10 19 | Learning Verse 6, beginning: 'Eagle-Thiassi...' and moving on to the coda, repeating the words 'Wait and see...' |
Story questions
How does Loki start the fire to cook the food?
He clicks his fingers together - it's one of his special tricks
Why will the stew not cook?
The eagle - Thiassi in disguise - has put a spell on it...and it will only cook when Odin agrees to share it with him
Who is Thiassi?
King of the Giants of Jotunheim
How does Loki try to persuade Iduna to leave her garden?
By telling her about another apple tree he has seen elsewhere - with apples that are much better than her own. (He's telling lies of course.)
Why does Iduna refuse to leave her garden?
Her apple trees can speak and they warn her of Loki's plan, telling her not to go with him
How is Iduna finally removed from her garden?
Thiassi has had enough of waiting - he swoops down in eagle disguise and carries both Iduna and her basket of apples away
Resources
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Teacher's Notes
Guidance on all the content (pdf)
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Lyrics - Apples of Iduna
Download / print the lyrics (pdf)
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Music - Apples of Iduna
Download / print the music (pdf)
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Pupils' pamphlet
Lyric sheets and activities (pdf)
