From Folk with Love
Förr skall hälleberget rämna såsom is
Förr skall solen borttappa sitt sken
Förr skall skogen bli förvandlad till en duva
Innan jag dig min vän överger
For the rocks will split and shatter just like ice,
And the sun in the heavens cease to shine,
And the forest will turn into a white dove,
Ere, my dear, you and I will parted be.
For applegnat who requested Scandinavian Folk songs with a Love theme:
If you read love songs and thought lovely songs about lovely devotions then please think again. Though love was a popular enough theme in the old songs - it was always a dark and slightly disturbing love.
One on friendship and eternal devotion
Garmarna : Bläck (Ink
This is possibly my favourite Garmarna song bar none. The lyrics sound like some ancient oath, and the music is mesmerizing.
Ge mig hit lite bäck och en penna
Jag vill rekommendera ett brev
Du skall alltid få se och besinna
Att jag håller ingen kärare än dig
Förr skall hälleberget rämna såsom is
Förr skall solen borttappa sitt sken
Förr skall skogen bli förvandlad till en duva
Innan jag dig min vän överger
Förr så spelade jag på guldtärning
Förr så spelade jag på klaver
I det samma så övergav mig sorgen
Jag skall aldrig borttappa dig mer
Förr skall hälleberget rämna såsom is
Förr skall solen borttappa sitt sken
Förr skall skogen bli förvandlad till en duva
Innan jag dig min vän överger
Bring to me pen and ink and some paper,
I´ve a letter I want to write to you.
You will find there is none I hold dearer,
I will always be constant and true.
For the rocks will split and shatter just like ice,
And the sun in the heavens cease to shine,
And the forest will turn into a white dove,
Ere, my dear, you and I will parted be.
All my hours at the dice I would squander,
All my hours playing music in vain.
When I met you I pined away no longer,
Now I never will lose you again.
For the rocks will split and shatter just like ice,
And the sun in the heavens cease to shine,
And the forest will turn into a white dove,
Ere, my dear, you and I will parted be.
Translation by Alistar Cochrane
One in which being a total badass is the way to get the girl, or "You killed all my men, and now I think you’re great!", says coming father-in-law
Gåte: Knut Liten og Sylvelin
This is and old Norwegian song about Little Knut and his love of the Princess Sylvelin. It all starts with Knut trying to sell horses to the king, and asking for the Princess as part of the payment. Not as off putting as it sounds, as Knut and Sylvelin has had a secret relationship for quite some time. Sadly the king’s first reaction to Knut’s proposal is to say he’d rather see his daughter work in the stables than marry Knut, and then he calls for all his soldiers to kill Knut. But Knut draws his sword and chops the soldiers down until “the blood ran so deep it covered the silver buckles on his shoes”. When the king sees this he rethinks his initial reaction and tells Knut to put away his sword. “You are worthy my daughter!” he says - and I suppose that is a happy ending of sorts?
Gåte does a version of this song which blends folktunes, rock and fuzzy electronica, and the main chorus of "iselilja" or "ice-lilly" is the clear vocal that drifts first ethereal-like, and then more like a battle cry above it all.
Another on how being a badass will get you the girl, but this time with ambiguity about true motives:
Villemann og Magnhild
This is one of the oldest of the Scandinavian folk songs, and there are many, many versions. (I think in Norway alone there are about 70 known versions). Basically our heroine Magnhild and her family have made a rather bad deal with a troll, and now Magnhild is set to marry the troll. Our hero Villemann will have none of this, and so he sets out to free Magnhild by playing his harp with such force that the troll releases her. Fortunately for the lovers he succeeds.
This version of the song is more a more traditional, but jazzy rendition. It was made by the Norwegian artists Rita Eriksen with the eminent Irish musician Doloreas Keane doing backing vocals.
Now the plot synopsis above? That is the simple version. The lyrics are ambiguous as hell and a lot of things imply that Villemann (whose name means Wild-man) is not just playing music - he is chanting runes. So when Villemann is playing the birds fall silent and the troll rises from the deepest see while thunder rolls through the mountains. So not your average fair singing Orpheus then.
Also Villemann might have a hidden motive - for the chorus of the song goes De runene de lyste han å vinna, meaning "Those runes he desired to win!". The runes in question could be the runes the troll possesses, as the trolls were known to be cunning in that type of magic craft. So one can debate - is Villemann just saving Magnhild or is he saving Magnhild and getting the runes or is he just using er to get to the runes. Because those runes he desired to win.
One in which confessions of love is deadly and dark:
Veslemøy Solberg: Olafur Lilljuros
Olafur Lijluros is the Islandic version of the Pan-Scandinavian Olav Lilly-wreath (Lilly being a symbol of purity). The theme of the ballad is best expressed in the ballads Danish name Elveskud, meaning that Olav is shot, stung or struck by an elf woman. The elf woman just wants Olav to love her, but he will have none of it. The elves could be dangerous, especially if people ventured out in the wild nature and this is what Olav is doing. He is riding along the mountainsides, and the when he spurs the elf woman’s declaration of love she leaves him to die. He manages to drag himself home, takes farewell of his relatives and dies shortly after.
One with ponderings on the true nature of ones lover:
Hedningarna: Räven (The Fox)
This is not a traditional ballad like the ones above, but it is still a kick-ass Scandinavian folk song. Performed by the Finnish band Hedningarna (the name means Heathen) it is a love song to a very cunning, difficult to catch woman. In fact the woman in question is so cunning that the lyrics wonder "is she a woman or a fox"? (and yes, puns about a foxy lady would be appropriate here)
The fox-woman is also folklore figure. Like the elf woman in Olafur Liljuros Nordic folklore is filled with seductive, extremely dangerous women who lure men into the forest and away from civilization. In Norwegian tales these women have cow-tails, but in Swedish and Finnish tales they sometimes have fox-tails.
Hedningarna makes gritty folk-rock, and is one of the best live bands I know. I’ve been to a few shows with them now, and they never fail to make the crowd ecstatic. Granted this is one of their calmer songs, but it still has that drive and energy that is so typical of them. Also lovely Finnish female vocals.
And one on love betrayed:
Garmarna: Hilla Lilla
Poor Little Hilla. She fell in love with the Duke Hillebrandt, much too her family’s loathing. In fact they dislike it so much that they kill her lover and sell Hilla for the price of a church bell. If you thought that was bad, be reassured - it gets worse.
Hilla Lilla sitter i kammaren sin
Ingen vet min sorg utan Gud
Hon fäller så mången tår uppå kind
Den lever aldrig till som jag kan klaga mina sorger
Brådt kom bud för drottningen in
Stolts Hilla Lilla syr så vildt i sömmen sin
Drottningen axlade kappan blå
Så månde hon sig till stolts Hilla Lilla gå
Nådiga Drottning I sätten er här ned
Att jag må tälja mina sorger för er
Min fader han höll mig så hederlig
En riddare dagligen tjänte mig
Och det var Hertig Hillebrand
Med honom så månde jag fly utav land
Och när som vi kommo i rosende lund
Där lyste Hertig Hillebrand att vila en stund
Han somnar en stund allt uti mitt sköt
Han sof där en sömn så ljuvlig och söt
Hillebrand Hillebrand sov inte nu
Jag hörer min fader och mina bröder sju
Jag hade ej förr utsagt dessa ord
Förrn sju sår lade Hillebrand till jord
Min broder han tog mig en guldgulan lock
Så binder han mig vid sadelknopp
Och när som vi kommo i första led
Min sorgbundna moder hon ståndar dervid
Då ville min broder kvälja mig
Min moder ville bortsälja mig
Så sålde de mig för en klocka ny
Hon hänger i Marie Kyrkeby
När moder min hörde den klockans klang
Hennes hjerta sönder i stycken sprang
Stolts Hilla Lilla slöt sitt tal härmed
Ingen vet min sorg utan Gud
Så föll hon död ned för Drottningens knä
Den lever aldrig till som jag kan klaga mina sorger
Hilla Lilla sits in her bedchamber
No one knows my sorrow but God
Many a tear falls down her cheek
Who could share my pain, he lives no more: he is gone
An urgent message to the Queen arrived
Proud Hilla Lilla sews frenzied her seams
The Queen wears her cloak of blue
To pay proud Hilla Lilla a visit to
Gracious Queen please sit down here
That I may tell to you my sorrows my dear
My father he kept me oh so pure
Served by a knight both hand and foot
And it was the Duke of Hillebrand
With him I would flee to the foreign lands
And when we reached a shady grove
There the Duke he lay himself down
He lay for a time inside of me
And then he slept so calm and sweet
Hillebrand Hillebrand sleep not now
I hear my father and my brothers seven
Hardly had I said these words
When seven wounds struck my Hillebrand down
One brother seized my golden locks
And bound me onto his saddle horn
And when we came to the first gate
My mother forlorn stood awaiting me
My brother he wished to strangle me
But my mother she chose to sell me away
She sold me for a brand new bell
It hangs in the village of Marie Church
When my mother heard the chime of that bell
Her heart it shattered into pieces small
Proud Hilla Lilla finished her tale like that
No one knows my sorrow but God
At the Queen's feet she fell down dead
Who could share my pain, he lives no more: he is gone
- translation from the Garmarna website
-------
Ye olde music master list
Förr skall solen borttappa sitt sken
Förr skall skogen bli förvandlad till en duva
Innan jag dig min vän överger
For the rocks will split and shatter just like ice,
And the sun in the heavens cease to shine,
And the forest will turn into a white dove,
Ere, my dear, you and I will parted be.
For applegnat who requested Scandinavian Folk songs with a Love theme:
If you read love songs and thought lovely songs about lovely devotions then please think again. Though love was a popular enough theme in the old songs - it was always a dark and slightly disturbing love.
One on friendship and eternal devotion
Garmarna : Bläck (Ink
This is possibly my favourite Garmarna song bar none. The lyrics sound like some ancient oath, and the music is mesmerizing.
Ge mig hit lite bäck och en penna
Jag vill rekommendera ett brev
Du skall alltid få se och besinna
Att jag håller ingen kärare än dig
Förr skall hälleberget rämna såsom is
Förr skall solen borttappa sitt sken
Förr skall skogen bli förvandlad till en duva
Innan jag dig min vän överger
Förr så spelade jag på guldtärning
Förr så spelade jag på klaver
I det samma så övergav mig sorgen
Jag skall aldrig borttappa dig mer
Förr skall hälleberget rämna såsom is
Förr skall solen borttappa sitt sken
Förr skall skogen bli förvandlad till en duva
Innan jag dig min vän överger
Bring to me pen and ink and some paper,
I´ve a letter I want to write to you.
You will find there is none I hold dearer,
I will always be constant and true.
For the rocks will split and shatter just like ice,
And the sun in the heavens cease to shine,
And the forest will turn into a white dove,
Ere, my dear, you and I will parted be.
All my hours at the dice I would squander,
All my hours playing music in vain.
When I met you I pined away no longer,
Now I never will lose you again.
For the rocks will split and shatter just like ice,
And the sun in the heavens cease to shine,
And the forest will turn into a white dove,
Ere, my dear, you and I will parted be.
Translation by Alistar Cochrane
One in which being a total badass is the way to get the girl, or "You killed all my men, and now I think you’re great!", says coming father-in-law
Gåte: Knut Liten og Sylvelin
This is and old Norwegian song about Little Knut and his love of the Princess Sylvelin. It all starts with Knut trying to sell horses to the king, and asking for the Princess as part of the payment. Not as off putting as it sounds, as Knut and Sylvelin has had a secret relationship for quite some time. Sadly the king’s first reaction to Knut’s proposal is to say he’d rather see his daughter work in the stables than marry Knut, and then he calls for all his soldiers to kill Knut. But Knut draws his sword and chops the soldiers down until “the blood ran so deep it covered the silver buckles on his shoes”. When the king sees this he rethinks his initial reaction and tells Knut to put away his sword. “You are worthy my daughter!” he says - and I suppose that is a happy ending of sorts?
Gåte does a version of this song which blends folktunes, rock and fuzzy electronica, and the main chorus of "iselilja" or "ice-lilly" is the clear vocal that drifts first ethereal-like, and then more like a battle cry above it all.
Another on how being a badass will get you the girl, but this time with ambiguity about true motives:
Villemann og Magnhild
This is one of the oldest of the Scandinavian folk songs, and there are many, many versions. (I think in Norway alone there are about 70 known versions). Basically our heroine Magnhild and her family have made a rather bad deal with a troll, and now Magnhild is set to marry the troll. Our hero Villemann will have none of this, and so he sets out to free Magnhild by playing his harp with such force that the troll releases her. Fortunately for the lovers he succeeds.
This version of the song is more a more traditional, but jazzy rendition. It was made by the Norwegian artists Rita Eriksen with the eminent Irish musician Doloreas Keane doing backing vocals.
Now the plot synopsis above? That is the simple version. The lyrics are ambiguous as hell and a lot of things imply that Villemann (whose name means Wild-man) is not just playing music - he is chanting runes. So when Villemann is playing the birds fall silent and the troll rises from the deepest see while thunder rolls through the mountains. So not your average fair singing Orpheus then.
Also Villemann might have a hidden motive - for the chorus of the song goes De runene de lyste han å vinna, meaning "Those runes he desired to win!". The runes in question could be the runes the troll possesses, as the trolls were known to be cunning in that type of magic craft. So one can debate - is Villemann just saving Magnhild or is he saving Magnhild and getting the runes or is he just using er to get to the runes. Because those runes he desired to win.
One in which confessions of love is deadly and dark:
Veslemøy Solberg: Olafur Lilljuros
Olafur Lijluros is the Islandic version of the Pan-Scandinavian Olav Lilly-wreath (Lilly being a symbol of purity). The theme of the ballad is best expressed in the ballads Danish name Elveskud, meaning that Olav is shot, stung or struck by an elf woman. The elf woman just wants Olav to love her, but he will have none of it. The elves could be dangerous, especially if people ventured out in the wild nature and this is what Olav is doing. He is riding along the mountainsides, and the when he spurs the elf woman’s declaration of love she leaves him to die. He manages to drag himself home, takes farewell of his relatives and dies shortly after.
One with ponderings on the true nature of ones lover:
Hedningarna: Räven (The Fox)
This is not a traditional ballad like the ones above, but it is still a kick-ass Scandinavian folk song. Performed by the Finnish band Hedningarna (the name means Heathen) it is a love song to a very cunning, difficult to catch woman. In fact the woman in question is so cunning that the lyrics wonder "is she a woman or a fox"? (and yes, puns about a foxy lady would be appropriate here)
The fox-woman is also folklore figure. Like the elf woman in Olafur Liljuros Nordic folklore is filled with seductive, extremely dangerous women who lure men into the forest and away from civilization. In Norwegian tales these women have cow-tails, but in Swedish and Finnish tales they sometimes have fox-tails.
Hedningarna makes gritty folk-rock, and is one of the best live bands I know. I’ve been to a few shows with them now, and they never fail to make the crowd ecstatic. Granted this is one of their calmer songs, but it still has that drive and energy that is so typical of them. Also lovely Finnish female vocals.
And one on love betrayed:
Garmarna: Hilla Lilla
Poor Little Hilla. She fell in love with the Duke Hillebrandt, much too her family’s loathing. In fact they dislike it so much that they kill her lover and sell Hilla for the price of a church bell. If you thought that was bad, be reassured - it gets worse.
Hilla Lilla sitter i kammaren sin
Ingen vet min sorg utan Gud
Hon fäller så mången tår uppå kind
Den lever aldrig till som jag kan klaga mina sorger
Brådt kom bud för drottningen in
Stolts Hilla Lilla syr så vildt i sömmen sin
Drottningen axlade kappan blå
Så månde hon sig till stolts Hilla Lilla gå
Nådiga Drottning I sätten er här ned
Att jag må tälja mina sorger för er
Min fader han höll mig så hederlig
En riddare dagligen tjänte mig
Och det var Hertig Hillebrand
Med honom så månde jag fly utav land
Och när som vi kommo i rosende lund
Där lyste Hertig Hillebrand att vila en stund
Han somnar en stund allt uti mitt sköt
Han sof där en sömn så ljuvlig och söt
Hillebrand Hillebrand sov inte nu
Jag hörer min fader och mina bröder sju
Jag hade ej förr utsagt dessa ord
Förrn sju sår lade Hillebrand till jord
Min broder han tog mig en guldgulan lock
Så binder han mig vid sadelknopp
Och när som vi kommo i första led
Min sorgbundna moder hon ståndar dervid
Då ville min broder kvälja mig
Min moder ville bortsälja mig
Så sålde de mig för en klocka ny
Hon hänger i Marie Kyrkeby
När moder min hörde den klockans klang
Hennes hjerta sönder i stycken sprang
Stolts Hilla Lilla slöt sitt tal härmed
Ingen vet min sorg utan Gud
Så föll hon död ned för Drottningens knä
Den lever aldrig till som jag kan klaga mina sorger
Hilla Lilla sits in her bedchamber
No one knows my sorrow but God
Many a tear falls down her cheek
Who could share my pain, he lives no more: he is gone
An urgent message to the Queen arrived
Proud Hilla Lilla sews frenzied her seams
The Queen wears her cloak of blue
To pay proud Hilla Lilla a visit to
Gracious Queen please sit down here
That I may tell to you my sorrows my dear
My father he kept me oh so pure
Served by a knight both hand and foot
And it was the Duke of Hillebrand
With him I would flee to the foreign lands
And when we reached a shady grove
There the Duke he lay himself down
He lay for a time inside of me
And then he slept so calm and sweet
Hillebrand Hillebrand sleep not now
I hear my father and my brothers seven
Hardly had I said these words
When seven wounds struck my Hillebrand down
One brother seized my golden locks
And bound me onto his saddle horn
And when we came to the first gate
My mother forlorn stood awaiting me
My brother he wished to strangle me
But my mother she chose to sell me away
She sold me for a brand new bell
It hangs in the village of Marie Church
When my mother heard the chime of that bell
Her heart it shattered into pieces small
Proud Hilla Lilla finished her tale like that
No one knows my sorrow but God
At the Queen's feet she fell down dead
Who could share my pain, he lives no more: he is gone
- translation from the Garmarna website
-------
Ye olde music master list