The beheading of a king

A mighty fleet came across the strait But Erik was prepared Five hundred Germans had come to his aid On horseback with their spears The fleet was carrying two thousand men Eager to draw blood But as they were about to land Erik released his heards One thousand men and five hundred horsemen Came charging down the beach When the sea-king saw this force He gave order to retreat All obeyed except one ship It held the king's own son He despised the thought of flight And attacked on his own The Danish fleet had to turn around They charged King Erik's men But it was too late to save his son His life was already spent The fighting continued bloody and fierce And the bloodshed was immense Two thousand warriors died that day Most of them were Danes The Danish king was captured Most of his guards were dead For a ransom he was released Then his people took his head