King Ormel in his pride
Sits on his golden throne,
His young queen by his side.
Between four walls of stone
In this dark cell alone
By day and night I bide.
Yet he who sings
Is lord of kings,
For song doth shake the golden throne,
And rend the walls and towers of stone.

King Ormel spake the word
That banned me from the light;
The young queen trembling heard
As one who dreads the night
When hope has taken flight,
A shadow-startled bird.
Yet he who sings
Is lord of kings,
And song doth shake the golden throne,
And rend the walls and towers of stone.

King Ormel rules the lands
That spread from sea to sea,
And lords from far-off strands
Before him bend the knee;
He smiles to think that he
Doth hold me in his hands:
But he who sings
Is lord of kings,
And song doth shake the golden throne,
And rend the walls and towers of stone.

King Ormel in his pride
The years shall overthrow;
His name the countries wide
By this alone shall know—
That one by him struck low
Mocked him with song and died:
For he who sings
Is lord of kings,
And song doth shake the golden throne,
And rend the walls and towers of stone.