Viking Saga Songs: 5. Thor on a journey
Today's song is filled with the sounds of Thor's hammer that he uses to make thunder. In the story Thor and Loki journey into Jotunheim and meet the giant Skrymnir...who they follow to a castle full of feasting giants.
The saga
Return in shame? Never! We're going after him!Thor
In Part 2 of the story Thor and Loki continue their journey into Jotunheim, home of the giants. It grows icy cold and when darkness falls they stop outside what they believe to be some sort of building, intending to spend the night inside. Shortly after they've settled down the whole building starts shaking...and a huge eye appears at the doorway. They are inside a giant's glove! In Part 3 Thor and Loki follow the giant Skrymnir to his castle, where he is feasting with many other giants. Thor challenges them and they set him three tasks: to empty a drinking horn, to lift a cat off the ground and finally to wrestle with an old lady. Thor fails each of the challenges...only to learn as he is leaving for Asgard that it was magic that defeated him. Thor swears to return for vengeance.
In the saga...
| Name | Reminder |
|---|---|
| Loki | Viking god of fire |
| Odin | Chief of all the Viking gods |
| Thor | Viking god of thunder |
| Thor's goats | They're able to perform an extraordinary trick - so long as their bones remain undamaged! |
| The humble villager | Required by Thor to offer somewhere to stay for the night |
| Skrymnir | An important giant |
| Hel | Skrymnir's great-great-grandmother - and death itself |
| Midgard | Home of the humans |
| Jotunheim | The frozen land that is home to Skrymnir and the other giants |
In the song tutorial
| Timing | Content |
|---|---|
| 00 00 | Hearing about the character Thor and practising the words 'Thunder bang 'n' bash / crash' while tapping the rhythm. |
| 02 15 | Learning the chorus, beginning: 'Thor on a journey...' Exploring the wide dynamic range of the chorus. At 04 36 putting the whole chorus together. |
| 05 40 | Learning Verse 1, beginning: 'Travel to a mansion-hall...' Noting that the melody has four notes, which rise step by step. |
| 08 38 | Learning Verse 2, beginning: 'At a feast...' Noting that the verse has the same rising four notes and exaggerating the slowing down at the end. |
| 09 36 | Learning Verse 3, beginning: 'Thor the mighty...' Using a contrasting loud / quiet voice. |
| 10 47 | Learning the coda - repeating the words 'Thor on a journey' x 3, ending 'Thunder bang 'n' CRASH!' |
Story questions
What does Loki think the glove is?
A building made up of a central hall with five narrow chambers leading away from it
Who owns the glove?
Skrymnir - a giant
Why can't Thor empty the drinking horn?
Because the end of it reaches into the sea
Why can't Thor lift the cat?
Because it is really a serpent that winds its tail around the world
Why can't Thor defeat the old lady?
Because she is Hel - death itself - and nobody can beat death
How does Thor react to being beaten by magic?
He calls it an 'outrage' and swears he will return for vengeance, saying 'Next time - I shall win!'
Resources
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Teacher's Notes
Guidance on all the content (pdf)
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Lyrics - Thor on a journey
Download / print the lyrics (pdf)
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Music - Thor on a journey
Download / print the music (pdf)
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Pupils' pamphlet
Lyric sheets and activities (pdf)
