The whole reason that Beowulf is famous is because it is the oldest surviving story written in the English language. Though most English speakers today would not understand it because the language has evolved so much. This is why it's called "Old English." It's also the oldest surviving European literature written in something other than Latin.
and Old English was the language of the Saxons, who originally were from the area in Northern Germany closest to Denmark. So... it almost is a Scandinavian language.
According to Wikipedia, Old English acquired a number of words (sky, leg, they, are, to name a few) from Old Norse, thanks to the Scandinavians who took their vacations there. As for Beowulf, part of it is set in Denmark, so you had good reasons for thinking it was written in some Germanic language other than English.
yes. like I just pointed out, the Saxons and Danes were neighbors.. reasonable assumption to make. Though I remember learning in high school that it was written in Old English and trying to make sense of it in the original language.
Old (and modern) English and Scandinavian languages are all Germanic languages -- though the vocabulary of English is about 60% Latinate because of invasions by Rome and later good Old William of Orange in 1066.
Sometimes you hear "old top hat" as an alternative lyric in some modern versions of the song. (Michael Buble). It was an old silk top hat in most depictions, but the original lyric is "old silk hat." Maybe consider adding "top hat" as an acceptable answer.
KIDDING! Just kidding!
Said this for years.
I first encountered this alternate meaning in a book by Hunter S Thompson - “Hell’s Angels” which might explain the reference?