Part of Sons of Norway is a pin system for various activities primarily falling under two programs: Cultural Skills and Sports Medals. Today’s meeting was an experiment to see if were could complete “Music and Musicians of Norway Part 1: Folk Music: Roots of Norwegian Music” together over Zoom. Wendy organized a program around its activity sheet consisting of a playlist, group discussion, and support from our musically inclined members: Ann, Nancy, and Todd. This program builds on the “Traditional and Folk Music” article in December’s newsletter.

Tusen takk! It was a great meeting.

Ulrikke - Ja, vi elsker dette landet

Ja, vi elsker dette landet is Norway’s national anthem. You can learn more about its history, lyrics, and translation on Wikipedia. The linked version features beautiful scenic footage from all around Norway.

Gåte - Solfager om Ormekongen

Gåte is a band from Trøndelag, Norway who plays Norwegian folk music bred with metal and electronic.

The story behind Solfager om Ormekongen,

The great Ormekongen (The Worm King) falls in love with a beautiful maid named Solfager and desperately wants her for his own. Solfager, however, is engaged to David, and as such Ormekongen conjures up a cunning plan. He gives Solafager an anesthetic drink, causing her to fall into a deep sleep. It is quickly assumed that Solafager has died, and David and his folk proceed to bury the beautiful Solfager. Once buried, Ormekongen visits Solfager’s grave and gives her a choice: She can die there alone or join him without anyone suspecting she is under his command. Fearing for her life Solfager chooses to join Ormekongen. David soon learns that she is alive and comes to her rescue and kills Ormekongen. As such, David’s love for Solafager does not only release her from a life in barbaric captivity, but he also conquers death and proves that true love is eternal.”

And the lyrics to Solfager om Ormekongen,

David kongjen kom seg riand i går
Solfager to ute og sola sitt hår

Han støypte gullkrossen i solfagers hond,
At ho sill` vera kjend på fremminde lond

Ormekongjen kom seg riand i går Solfager sto ute, ho sola sitt hår

Så gav han henne dei dvaledrykkjin` tri
Solfager ho dåna, då ho fekk di

Kongen let seg pilmrimsklæ`i skjera
Liksom ein pilgrim han vera

Solfager ho lyfte på pilgrimshatt
«Er du kongjen, du seie meg satt.»

Learn more about Gåte on Wikipedia.

Mari Boine - Vuoi Vuoi Me

Mari Boine is a Norwegian Sámi singer who combined traditional Sámi joik singing with rock, electronic, etc. Vuoi Vuoi Me is her most popular song on Apple Music.

Learn more about Mari Boine on Wikipedia.

Bonus: SKÁLD - Þat Mælti Mín Móðir

SKÁLD takes inspiration from the poetry of the ancient skalds who sang and told stories of the Vikings and their gods. Their music is characterized by singing in Old Norse and the use of ancient instruments. Þat Mælti Mín Móðir is one of their newer songs. The version linked is a lyric video with old norse and runes (with English captions available).

Bonus: Wardruna - Lyfjaberg

Wardruna is a Norwegian music group dedicated to creating music based around Nordic traditional and historical instruments. Lyfjaberg is one of their songs which has almost 35M views on YouTube.

Learn more about Wardruna on Wikipedia.

Hardanger fiddle photo © Frode Inge Helland (Wikimedia)