Spring is in the Air Posted by Bjørn A. Bojesen on Feb 27, 2021 in Culture
Hvide hyacinter. (Free image from Pixabay; no copyright.)
Der er forår i luften! (Spring is in the air!) Even though February is traditionally considered a vintermåned (winter month) in Denmark, the country surprisingly just jumped from frost og sne (frost and snow) to open blomster (flowers) – some say the temperatur increased more than 30 degrees in about a week (from -20 °C to 14°C some places)!
Of course, foråret (spring, literally ”the fore-year”) is a beautiful season in many places. For me, though, the contrast is particularly striking in Denmark, where so many winters are just dark and rainy (with just a few shining days of sne). All of a sudden, træerne (the trees) står i knop (are in bud), and the golden sol (sun) is filling people’s faces with renewed optimisme.
The transformation of spring is so magical in Denmark that many songs have been written about it. The following song, which many Danes know from pop singer Kim Larsen’s rendition, nicely captures the mood. (The text was written in 1895, so the copyright has expired.)
| Det er idag et vejr (Lyrics by L. Holstein, melody by P. Schierbeck) |
”Today there is a weather…” |
| Det er i dag et vejr, et solskinsvejr! O søde vår, så er du atter nær! Nu vil jeg glemme rent, at det var vinter, nu vil jeg gå og købe hyacinter og bringe dem til én, som jeg har kær. |
Today there is a weather, a sunshine weather! O sweet Spring, then you are close again! Now I’ll totally forget winter was there, now I’ll go and buy hyacinths and bring them to someone I hold dear. |
| Hun købte af de hvide og de blå hun købte af de smukkeste, hun så. Det er i dag et vejr! Og solen skinner! Og om mig svæver lutter lyse minder, dem ta’r jeg med til den, jeg tænker på. |
She bought of the white and the blue ones she bought of the most beautiful she saw. Today there is a weather! And the sun is shining! And around me floats nothing but bright memories, I’ll bring them to the one I’m thinking of. |
| Og de kom svævende i ring og rad., Hun gik imellem dem og var så glad. Det er idag et solskin uden mage! Og jeg har solskin nok til mange dage, og jeg må kysse hvert et lille blad.
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And they came floating in circles and rows, she was walking between them and was so happy. Today there is a sunshine like no other! And I’ve got sunshine enough for many days, and I have to kiss each little leaf. |
| Hun kyssede dem alle, hver især, hun bragte dem til den, hun havde kær. Min ven, her kommer jeg med hyacinter! Min ven, nu glemmer vi, at det er vinter! Det er idag et vejr, et solskinsvejr! |
She kissed them all, each of them, she brought them to the one she held dear. My friend, here I come with hyacinths! My friend, let’s forget now it’s winter! Today there is a weather, a sunshine weather! |
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About the Author: Bjørn A. Bojesen
I was born in Denmark, but spent large parts of my childhood and study years in Norway. I later returned to Denmark, where I finished my MA in Scandinavian Studies. Having relatives in Sweden as well, I feel very Scandinavian! I enjoy reading and travelling, and sharing stories with you! You’re always welcome to share your thoughts with me and the other readers.