We had moved across the Northern passage
Long centuries before Europeans could see
We discovered a lush, fertile green continent
Long before Columbus had come to ravage
But we chose to go back to our Greenland
Although it was less fertile, we'd felt safe
And then with the downturn in temperatures
Colonies died, never adapted to other ways
Despite the indigenous surviving we did not
We refused to do what they did, foolish pride
It was never about racism, but a belief, hubris
We'd tamed Iceland and our home in Europe
As the world called us the Scourge of the sea
We were called the Vikings, but raid no more
Tamed by the Europeans, defeated elsewhere
We were no longer feared, but were admired
For what we discovered, accomplished
And had carved from history
A legacy
Long centuries before Europeans could see
We discovered a lush, fertile green continent
Long before Columbus had come to ravage
But we chose to go back to our Greenland
Although it was less fertile, we'd felt safe
And then with the downturn in temperatures
Colonies died, never adapted to other ways
Despite the indigenous surviving we did not
We refused to do what they did, foolish pride
It was never about racism, but a belief, hubris
We'd tamed Iceland and our home in Europe
As the world called us the Scourge of the sea
We were called the Vikings, but raid no more
Tamed by the Europeans, defeated elsewhere
We were no longer feared, but were admired
For what we discovered, accomplished
And had carved from history
A legacy
