Ja, vi elsker dette landet
English: Yes, we love this country | |
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U.S. Navy Band instrumental version (one verse) |
"Ja, vi elsker dette landet" (Norwegian pronunciation: [ˈjɑː viː ˈɛ̂lskə ˈɖɛ̂tːə ˈlɑ̀nːə] ⓘ; English: "Yes, we love this country") is the Norwegian national anthem. Originally a patriotic song, it came to be commonly regarded as the de facto national anthem of Norway in the early 20th century, after being used alongside "Sønner av Norge" since the 1860s. It was officially adopted in 2019.[1]
The lyrics were written by Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson between 1859 and 1868, and the melody was written by his cousin Rikard Nordraak sometime during the winter of 1863 and 1864. It was first performed publicly on 17 May 1864 in connection with the 50th anniversary of the constitution. Usually only the first and the last two verses are sung, with the first being by far the most common.
History
Until the mid-1860s, the songs "
Background
Norway did not have an official national anthem until 11 December 2019, but over the last 200 years, a number of songs have been commonly regarded as de facto national anthems. At times, multiple songs have enjoyed this status simultaneously. "Ja, vi elsker dette landet" is now most often recognized as the anthem, but until the early 20th century, "Sønner av Norge" occupied this position.
In the early 19th century, the song "Norges Skaal" was regarded by many as a de facto national anthem. From 1820, the song "Norsk Nationalsang" (lit. '"Norwegian National Song"') became the most recognised national anthem. It came to be known as "Sønner av Norge" (originally "Sønner af Norge"), after its first stanza. "Sønner av Norge" was written by Henrik Anker Bjerregaard (1792–1842) and the melody by Christian Blom (1782–1861), after the Royal Norwegian Society for Development had announced a competition to write a national anthem for Norway in 1819. "Norsk Nationalsang" ("Sønner af Norge") was announced as the winner.[4][5][6] "Blant alle Lande" (also called "Nordmandssang") by Ole Vig has also been used as a national anthem. Henrik Wergeland also wrote an anthem originally titled "Smaagutternes Nationalsang" ("The Young Boys' National Anthem") and commonly known as "Vi ere en Nation, vi med".
"Ja, vi elsker dette landet" was written by
In addition, Norway has an unofficial royal anthem, "Kongesangen", based on "God Save the King" and written in its modern form by Gustav Jensen. The psalm "Gud signe vårt dyre fedreland", written by Elias Blix and with a melody by Christoph Ernst Friedrich Weyse, is often called Norway's "national psalm".
Lyrics
Bjørnson wrote in a modified version of the Danish language current in Norway at the time. Written Bokmål has since been altered in a series of orthographic reforms intended to distinguish it from Danish and bring it closer to spoken Norwegian. The text below, and commonly in use today, is identical to Bjørnson's original in using the same words, but with modernised spelling and punctuation. The most sung verses—1, 7 and 8 (which are highlighted and in bold)—have been modernised most and have several variations in existence. For example, Bjørnson originally wrote «drømme på vor jord», which some sources today write as «drømme på vår jord», while others write «drømmer på vår jord».
In each verse, the last two lines are sung twice, and one or two words are repeated an extra time when the lines are sung the second time (for example "senker" in the first verse). These words are written in italics in the Norwegian lyrics below. The first verse is written down in full as an example.
Original[9][10] | IPA transcription[a] | Literal translation |
---|---|---|
I |
1 |
I Rome . 𝄇III Farmers their axes sharpened wherever an army advanced, Tordenskjold along the coastline thundered so that we could see it back home. Even women stood up and fought as if they were men; 𝄆 others could only cry but that soon would end! 𝄇 IV Sure, we were not many but we were enough, when we were tested sometimes, and it was at stake; we would rather burn our land than to declare defeat; 𝄆 just remember what happened down at Fredrikshald! 𝄇 V Hard times we have coped with, were at last disowned; but in the worst distress, blue-eyed[g] freedom was to us born. It gave (us) father's strength to carry famine and war, 𝄆 it gave death itself its honour – and it gave reconciliation. 𝄇 VI The enemy threw away his weapon, up the visor went, we, in wonder, to him hastened, because he was our brother. Driven forth to a stand by shame we went to the south; 𝄆 now we three brothers stand united, and shall stand like that! 𝄇 VII Norwegian man in house and cabin, thank your great God! The country he wanted to protect, although things looked dark. All the fights fathers have fought, and the mothers have wept, 𝄆 the Lord has quietly eased so we won our rights. 𝄇 VIII Yes, we love this country as it rises forth, rugged, weathered, above the sea, with those thousand homes. And as the fathers' struggle has raised it from need to victory, 𝄆 even we, when it is demanded, for its peace will encamp (for defense). 𝄇 |
Poetic translation and metric version
The three commonly used stanzas of Ja, vi elsker were translated into English long ago. The name of the translator is seldom mentioned in printed versions of the English text. It has so far not been possible to identify the translator or ascertain when it was translated. But the following versions of stanzas 1, 7, and 8 are well known and often sung by descendants of Norwegian immigrants to the United States. Its popularity and familiarity among Norwegian-Americans seems to indicate that it has been around for a long time, certainly since before the middle of the 20th century, and possibly much earlier. This translation may be regarded as the "official" version in English.
1 |
Yes, we love with fond devotion |
Metrical versions
Two alternative metrical versions also exist. The second follows the original closely, and was learnt by heart by a Norwegian[12] who did not know the translator's name. It was published (without the translator's name) in a collection of Sange og digte paa dansk og engelsk[13] [Songs and Poems in Danish and English]. There are two small changes in the text in this version, which is presented here. Verse 2, which is seldom sung, has been omitted, and the last two lines in each verse are repeated, in the same way as it's sung in Norwegian.
1 |
Norway, thine is our devotion, |
Yes, we love this land arising
Stormbeat o'er the sea With its thousand homes, enticing, Rugged though it be. Love it, love it, not forgetting Those we owe our birth, Nor that night of saga letting Down its dreams to earth, Nor that night of saga letting Down its dreams, its dreams, to earth. Norseman, where thou dwellest, render Praise and thanks to Him, Who has been this land's defender, When its hopes looked dim. Wars our fathers' aims unfolded, Tears our mothers shed, Roads of them for us He molded, To our rights they led. Roads of them for us He molded, To our rights, our rights, they led. Yes, we love this land arising Stormbeat o'er the sea With its thousand homes, enticing, Rugged though it be. Like our fathers who succeeded, Warring for release, So will we, whenever needed, Rally for its peace. So will we, whenever needed, Rally for its peace, its peace. |
Deleted verse a tribute to King Charles IV
A verse hailing
The lyrics that were taken out were:
- Kongen selv står stærk og åpen
- som vår Grænsevagt
- og hans allerbedste Våpen
- er vår Broderpagt.
In English this reads:
- The King himself stands strong and open
- As our border guard
- and his most powerful weapon
- is our brethren pact.
The "brethren pact" the text refers to was a military treaty between Norway, Sweden and Denmark to come to one another's assistance should any of them come under military assault. But when German troops invaded South Jutland in February 1864, none of the alliance partners came to Denmark's rescue. This perceived treason of the "brethren pact" once and for all shattered dreams of unification of the three countries.[14]
Controversies
This section needs additional citations for verification. (August 2022) |
Norwegian independence
In 1905 the Union between Sweden and Norway was dissolved after many years of Norwegian struggle for equality between the two states, as stipulated in the 1815 Act of Union. The unilateral declaration by the Norwegian Storting of the union's dissolution 7 June provoked strong Swedish reactions, bringing the two nations to the brink of war in the autumn. In Sweden, pro-war conservatives were opposed by the Social Democrats, whose leaders Hjalmar Branting and Zeth Höglund spoke out for reconciliation and a peaceful settlement with Norway. Swedish socialists sang Ja, vi elsker dette landet to demonstrate their support for the Norwegian people’s right to secede from the union.
Nazi occupation
During
Urdu translation
In May 2006, the multicultural newspaper
See also
Notes
- ^ See Help:IPA/Norwegian and Norwegian phonology. The transcription is based on Urban East Norwegian; /r/'s are guttural in more western dialects, among other differences.
- ^ Often written as drømme.[9][10]
- ^ Also written malte.[9]
- ^ Also written talte.[9]
- ^ Also written værste.[10]
- ^ Also written nu vi står tre brødre sammen.[9]
- ^ "Blue-eyed" (Norwegian: blåøyd) here means "innocent"; it is derived from the eye color of newborn babies.[11]
References
- ^ "Representantforslag om å vedta at "Ja, vi elsker dette landet" skal anerkjennes som Norges offisielle nasjonalsang". 4 June 2019.
- ^ Verdig tilstandsrapport fra nasjonalartistene Archived December 29, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, BT.no
- ^ Lindahl, Björn (2001-09-11). "Norsk festyra fick ny dimension". Svenska Dagbladet (in Swedish). Retrieved 2012-05-26.
- ISBN 82-560-0828-8
- ISBN 82-7115-100-2
- ISBN 82-00-06623-1
- ^ Verdig tilstandsrapport fra nasjonalartistene Archived 2013-12-29 at the Wayback Machine, BT.no
- ^ Björn Lindahl (2001-09-11). "Norsk festyra fick ny dimension". Svenska Dagbladet (in Swedish). Retrieved 2012-05-26.
- ^ Hojskolesangbogen(in Danish). Retrieved 2022-02-13.
- ^ Den norske Studentersangforening (in Norwegian Bokmål). Archived from the originalon 2022-02-13. Retrieved 2022-02-13.
- ^ ""Blåøyd"". naob.no. Det Norske Akademis Ordbok (Dictionary of the Norwegian Academy). Retrieved 13 April 2024.
- ^ Torolv Hustad, born around 1930.
- ^ Volk, John, ed. (1903). Sange og digte paa dansk og engelsk. New York Public Library, digitized by Google: "Nordlysets" forlag. pp. 30–31.
- ISBN 82-02-19092-4.
- ^ Vil ha «Ja vi elsker» på urdu Archived May 11, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Fr.p. sier nei til "Ja vi elsker" på urdu". Archived from the original on May 21, 2006.
- ^ "Oslo - Aftenposten". Retrieved 2006-12-30.[dead link]
External links
- Sung May 1, 2005 in Salt Lake City Utah with Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Norwegian soprano Sissel Kyrkjebø; first stanza only and then in English