THE CREW OF THE LONG SERPENT by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: Summary, Meaning & Analysis
This poem presents the bold and vibrant crew of King Olaf's flagship, the Long Serpent, as they relax in a Norwegian harbor.
The poem
Safe at anchor in Drontheim bay King Olaf's fleet assembled lay, And, striped with white and blue, Downward fluttered sail and banner, As alights the screaming lanner; Lustily cheered, in their wild manner, The Long Serpent's crew Her forecastle man was Ulf the Red, Like a wolf's was his shaggy head, His teeth as large and white; His beard, of gray and russet blended, Round as a swallow's nest descended; As standard-bearer he defended Olaf's flag in the fight. Near him Kolbiorn had his place, Like the King in garb and face, So gallant and so hale; Every cabin-boy and varlet Wondered at his cloak of scarlet; Like a river, frozen and star-lit, Gleamed his coat of mail. By the bulkhead, tall and dark, Stood Thrand Rame of Thelemark, A figure gaunt and grand; On his hairy arm imprinted Was an anchor, azure-tinted; Like Thor's hammer, huge and dinted Was his brawny hand. Einar Tamberskelver, bare To the winds his golden hair, By the mainmast stood; Graceful was his form, and slender, And his eyes were deep and tender As a woman's, in the splendor Of her maidenhood. In the fore-hold Biorn and Bork Watched the sailors at their work: Heavens! how they swore! Thirty men they each commanded, Iron-sinewed, horny-handed, Shoulders broad, and chests expanded. Tugging at the oar. These, and many more like these, With King Olaf sailed the seas, Till the waters vast Filled them with a vague devotion, With the freedom and the motion, With the roll and roar of ocean And the sounding blast. When they landed from the fleet, How they roared through Drontheim's street, Boisterous as the gale! How they laughed and stamped and pounded, Till the tavern roof resounded, And the host looked on astounded As they drank the ale! Never saw the wild North Sea Such a gallant company Sail its billows blue! Never, while they cruised and quarrelled, Old King Gorm, or Blue-Tooth Harald, Owned a ship so well apparelled, Boasted such a crew! XV
This poem presents the bold and vibrant crew of King Olaf's flagship, the Long Serpent, as they relax in a Norwegian harbor. Longfellow paints each warrior as if in a portrait — highlighting their size, scars, and swagger — before zooming out to reveal the entire group celebrating in taverns and dominating the sea. The final stanza proclaims that no previous king has ever led such remarkable men as Olaf does.
Line-by-line
Safe at anchor in Drontheim bay / King Olaf's fleet assembled lay,
Her forecastle man was Ulf the Red, / Like a wolf's was his shaggy head,
Near him Kolbiorn had his place, / Like the King in garb and face,
By the bulkhead, tall and dark, / Stood Thrand Rame of Thelemark,
Einar Tamberskelver, bare / To the winds his golden hair,
In the fore-hold Biorn and Bork / Watched the sailors at their work:
These, and many more like these, / With King Olaf sailed the seas,
When they landed from the fleet, / How they roared through Drontheim's street,
Never saw the wild North Sea / Such a gallant company
Tone & mood
The tone is both celebratory and confident — this poem truly admires its subjects and encourages you to share in that admiration. It carries warmth and humor (like the swearing sailors and the astonished tavern host), while also maintaining a sense of grandeur. Longfellow writes as if he's sharing a beloved tale by the fire, taking pride in every detail.
Symbols & metaphors
- The Long Serpent — Olaf's flagship is more than just a ship; it symbolizes collective identity and Viking power at the heart of the poem. Everything and everyone in the poem connects to it. Its name brings to mind the serpents of Norse mythology and the sleek danger of the vessel itself.
- Thor's hammer (Thrand's hand) — Comparing Thrand's fist to Thor's hammer links the crew to the ancient Norse gods, implying that these men embody a mythological power. It also indicates that their strength goes beyond the physical; it’s a divine blessing rooted in old pagan traditions.
- The anchor tattoo — The anchor on Thrand's arm signifies his permanent connection to the sea. It shows that his identity is intertwined with his life as a sailor and fighter — the sea is etched into his skin.
- The coat of mail (frozen river) — Kolbiorn's armour, likened to a frozen, star-lit river, transforms military gear into a reflection of nature. It implies that these warriors are intertwined with the northern landscape — cold, beautiful, and as relentless as a Norwegian winter.
- The ocean itself — The sea isn't merely a backdrop; it acts as a spiritual force in the poem. It evokes a sense of 'vague devotion' in the crew — a wordless, almost sacred feeling of freedom and wonder. The ocean influences these men’s identities more profoundly than any king or battle ever could.
- The scarlet cloak — Kolbiorn's scarlet cloak signifies his rank and distinction in a world where most men opt for plain colors. It captures the attention of everyone on the ship, much like how Kolbiorn's likeness to the king makes him both a target and a protector in battle.
Historical context
This poem is Canto XV of Longfellow's *Tales of a Wayside Inn* (1863) — specifically from "The Musician's Tale: The Saga of King Olaf," a lengthy narrative poem that retells stories from Snorri Sturluson's *Heimskringla*, the saga of medieval Norse kings. Longfellow was part of the 19th-century Romantic movement that showed a growing interest in Norse and medieval themes, a trend that also influenced Wagner's operas and William Morris's translations. King Olaf Tryggvason (who reigned from 995 to 1000 AD) was a historic Norwegian king known for forcibly converting Norway to Christianity and for his death at the Battle of Svolder, where the Long Serpent served as his flagship. Longfellow drew from both the sagas and earlier English translations, skillfully blending historical elements — like Einar Tamberskelver, Kolbiorn the marshal, and the ship's name — into a poem that feels like a saga recounted aloud.
FAQ
Yes, it's absolutely true. Olaf Tryggvason reigned as King of Norway from approximately 995 to 1000 AD. He's well-known in the sagas for his vigorous efforts to convert Norway to Christianity and for his demise at the Battle of Svolder, where he faced a larger coalition of foes. The Long Serpent was his real flagship, and some of the crew members that Longfellow mentions — Einar Tamberskelver and Kolbiorn — also appear in Snorri Sturluson's *Heimskringla*.
It was Olaf's actual warship, one of the largest Viking longships ever constructed according to the sagas. Its name in Old Norse is *Ormrinn Langi*. Viking longships were frequently named after serpents or dragons due to their slender, low profile and the dragon heads carved on their prows. The ship gained its legendary status in part because of the dramatic way it was lost at Svolder.
It’s Canto XV of *The Saga of King Olaf,* which is one of the stories included in *Tales of a Wayside Inn* (1863). The book uses the framing device of travelers at an inn sharing stories, a concept inspired by Chaucer's *Canterbury Tales.* The King Olaf section stands out as the longest and most ambitious tale in the collection, exploring various episodes from Olaf's life and reign.
It’s a purposeful contrast. Einar was known in the sagas as one of the greatest archers of his time — lethal, not ornamental. By portraying him with a gentle, almost feminine beauty, Longfellow is challenging the Viking warrior stereotype and highlighting that heroism can take many forms. This contrast makes Einar the most striking figure in the poem.
It refers to the awe or reverence you experience when faced with something immense that defies full explanation. The crew isn't made up of philosophers or priests, but the open ocean affects them — instilling a feeling of both freedom and insignificance at once. Longfellow implies that the sea serves as a form of religion for these men, even if they can’t articulate it.
Both were actual kings of Denmark. Gorm the Old (who died around 958 AD) is recognized as the first King of Denmark. His son, Harald Bluetooth (who died around 986 AD), is the king after whom Bluetooth wireless technology is named—the logo is a runic monogram of his initials. Longfellow refers to them as the greatest Danish rulers before Olaf's time, which makes the boast in the final stanza hit harder.
Longfellow mixes bouncing trochaic and anapestic rhythms with a consistent rhyme scheme (roughly AABCCB), and each stanza wraps up with a short, punchy line that snaps the rhythm shut. This combination of flowing longer lines followed by a quick clincher reflects the rise and fall of waves, creating a sense of forward momentum that fits a crew of Viking sailors perfectly.
Not exactly. The poem is primarily about the crew's looks, their friendships, and their passion for the sea, rather than emphasizing battle or killing. While their warrior nature suggests violence, Longfellow focuses on their human traits: their confidence, the laughter shared in the tavern, and the wonder the ocean brings them. It celebrates a specific kind of wild, free life rather than glorifying war itself.