Nehalennia's Return

Dea Nehalennia,
we do honor thee
you’re our tutelary Goddess
at the dangerous sea.

Germanics, Celts and Romans too
along the North Sea shore,
before they sailed they knew it due,
that oath they deeply swore.

To the temple they went
and there promised to spend
part of what they’d earn
on their healthy return.

Dea Nehalennia,
we do honor thee
you’re our tutelary Goddess
at the dangerous sea.

Three hundred sixty years ago
after a heavy gale,
the water level was very low,
no ship had set yet sail.

What the storm had revealed.
What for centuries was sealed,
on the beach there stood
Altars saved really good.

Dea Nehalennia,
we do honor thee
you’re our tutelary Goddess
at the dangerous sea.

A fishing boat was on its trek,
nineteen-seventy the year.
the call was heard all hands on deck,
the nets threatened to tear.

‘t Was not without a painful groan
and surely not their wish
so many heavy votive stones
they hauled up in stead of fish.

Nehalennia appeared,
again by many revered.
Pray the goddes to bless,
if you’re at sea in distress.