Saturday, June 23, 2012

Midsummer's Eve



As Midsummer is celebrated in Sweden this weekend, I am reflecting on the Swedish National Anthem. My friend Fran, AKA Fishducky, went on the Internet and found an English translation after I talked about it on Swedish Flag Day earlier this month. What a nice thing to do, thank you Fran.


Swedish National Anthem


Thou ancient, thou freeborn, thou mountainous North,
In beauty and peace our hearts beguiling,
I greet thee, thou loveliest land on the earth,
Thy sun, thy skies, thy verdant meadows smiling.
Thy sun, thy skies, thy verdant meadows smiling.


Thy throne rests on mem’ries from great days of yore,
When worldwide renown was valour’s guerdon.
I know to thy name thou art true as before.
In thee I'll live, in thee I'll die, thou North Land,
In thee I'll live, in thee I'll die, thou North Land


That first verse does it for me, brings tears to my eyes and makes me homesick. 





Happy Midsummer's Eve to my Swedish friends. I hope the sun will shine, the Maypoles will be beautiful, and you will enjoy this most special of holidays. This time of year, it's difficult to be away from Sweden, believe me.





20 comments:

  1. Du är mycket välkommen -- lycklig midsommarafton!

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  2. Ja det förstår jag hur du kan känna. Midsommar är ju lite speciellt. Har väl varit blandat väder och en del har fått dansa i regn. Vi har haft skurar idag men sol mellan dem.
    Kul med den engelska översättningen på nationalsången.

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  3. i read about midsummer's eve on another blog yesterday - about putting the flowers under the pillow and dreaming about your true love.

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  4. Hej Inger o tusen midsommarhälsningar till dig !!

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  5. Very nice of you to share this, Inger. Anthems always touch the heart, and remind us of our roots.

    It could be the music, but I think it's the words that encapsulate the feeling.

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  6. i can tell the song is very old by the Thee's and Thous and Thy's. it is beautiful. i am sure if i were in another country i would miss this one to.

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  7. Ikväll kom det skurar som gjorde att jag inte kom ut på en fototur. Nu skiner solen kl 21,18 ?? otroligt eller hur?? Men efter en god grillad lax o lite chardonney skall man inte ut med bilen :-) även om vi har bara en liten grusväg att köra på. Får se om jag kommer upp tidigt imorgon då det skall bli fint väder.

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  8. Love this post! So very sweet, Inger!

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  9. What a nice anthem. I hope everyone enjoys the Midsummer celebrations!

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  10. How lovely, Inger. It's so like our fishducky to find a translation for you.

    Love,
    Janie

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  11. This was lovely, Inger. I am sure you are there in spirit!
    What a meaningful anthem and very reflective of a beautiful country.

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  12. So sweet Inger! I know you are there in spirit!

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  13. Happy midsummer's eve, Inger.

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  14. Inger, I know how it is to be missing a place that is part of who you are--Thank-you for sharing the anthem today, it has beautiful words!

    Happy Midsummers Eve!!

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  15. Hope you had a wonderful time. Midsummer always reminds me about a play of Shakespeare's, with fairies, and actors, and man who got the head of a donkey.

    Beautiful anthem; thanks for sharing it.

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  16. Thank you everyone -- I hope you are having a great weekend. And Rob-bear, I hope you are safe from the rain.

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  17. Sweden is deep within you and let it course through your veins. This is delightful. It must be so difficult yo to be away from your beautiful country when you miss it so....cheers!

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  18. Beautiful words is right, Inger!...:)JP

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  19. Dear Inger, I understand your longing on this day to be back in Sweden. I long to be back in Minnesota--where many people descended from Swedish immigrants live.
    Peace.

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Thanks for leaving a comment.. ~~ Inger

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