The Swedish national anthem: Du gamla, du fria Posted by jennie on Jun 30, 2010 in Culture
These World Cup-times have made me think about national anthems and what they reflect of our countries. Since I don’t speak Dutch, Japanese, Portuguese or any of the other languages, I have no clue what so ever what the players are singing out there on the pitch (I do get really annoyed when they DON’T sing…) but I am still trying to ‘locate’ why this and that national anthem is this and that country’s national anthem. And truth to be told, it’s not easy! The general idea with national anthems is “to connect it with the idea of the nation – either in spirit, or directly through lyrics”. So my simple yet humble question to you today is of course: When hearing “Du gamla, du fria”, does it “represents Sweden and connects with it” – in your opinion?
Hrm hrm, will you all please rise for the Swedish national anthem!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0Cj5K-YxTU
Or does it even more so, when adding some lyrics?
I found this English translation of it, please don’t have a pop at me for not trying to translate it myself…
- Thou old, Thou freeborn, Thou mountain high Northern land
- Thou quiet, Thou joyful, Thou wonderful
- I honour Thou most beautiful country on our world
- Thy sun, Thy sky, Thy green fields
- Thy sun, Thy sky, Thy green fields
- Thou rest on memories from the Great Power’s days
- Then Thy honoured name flew over the World
- I know that Thou are and Thou remains as Thou where
- I want to live and I want to die in the North!
I want to live and I want to die in the North!
I like our anthem. I think it’s strong and powerful and I love singing the last two lines, it always make me think of big bearded Vikings for some weird reason. Not that I sing it very often to be fair, but on Sweden’s National Day (the 6th of June) and on big sports occations it is of course a must – even more so when living abroad and struggling with “God save the queen”. But “Du gamla, du fria” is actually not Sweden’s official national anthem. We sing it purely because of tradition and if we all of a sudden felt like changing our old (since 1844), well, I guess we could. Some people seriously think this should be Sweden’s national anthem and from time to time, the “Make Öppna Landskap our national anthem!”-movement has been quite strong. I have never been a part of that movement, although it is a nice – and I guess very Swedish – song.
Ulf Lundell – Öppna Landskap (Open Landscapes). I won’t even try to translate the rest…
Anyway, question time! Is “Du gamla, du fria” a good representative for Sweden ? What do you make of “Öppna Landskap”? And, any thoughts on your national anthem?
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Comments:
Minty:
Hi readers, just wanted to let you know that I post my own blog occasionally about Sweden. I include lots of my own pictures of Sweden and talk about the experiences I have, since moving here from Australia.
http://www.mintyinsweden.blogspot.com/
Just search for minty in sweden on Blogspot!
gimena:
oh this post was awesome! thanks guys!
I think Sweden’s anthem is great 🙂 I really like the lyrics. I wish I could die in Sweden 😛 Haha.
I’m from Uruguay and our anthem is considered the second best anthem in the world…dont get me wrong, it’s great and all, but it doesnt talk about our land like most anthems do. It talks about war, that we’ll fight for our country against spanish people and all. It’s more of a fight-song. That’s why part of the lyrics were cut off for the world cup. It was considered to be offensive.
Anyways, if you feel like listening to it, here’s the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoidR2Kk5Bs
Steve:
Don’t get annoyed at the Spanish when they don’t sing. Their national anthem doesn’t have any words 🙂
Edina:
Here is a little information and some translation to the Hungarian National anthem, which is the first verse of a longish poem called Himnusz. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himnusz
There is a little musical file embedded to the site so if you wish you can listen to the music of it.
I think it’s the music that makes me like my national anthem. The lyrics…well…It’s not so upbeat and cheerful as a national anthem could be I think. I guess we Hunagrians are way too traditional to change our national anthem.
jennie:
gimena: Thank you!! And my deepest condolances about the football, I cheered for you! I like your song, but it’s a bit odd that the lyrics where cut out… Or could it really be offensive, you reckon?
Steve: Ha, I didn’t know that… Well I wont be annoyed on Sunday then. Only f they beat Holland…
Edina: Thank you! I think the lyrics of national anthems in general are a bit boring and upbeat. But then again, how could I know? Purely a guess 🙂
src:
Who sings the version with lyrics?
Snöskottning nyheter:
oh this post was awesome! thanks guys! 🙂