{"id":3916,"date":"2011-07-29T14:54:49","date_gmt":"2011-07-29T14:54:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/swedish\/?p=3916"},"modified":"2011-07-29T14:56:49","modified_gmt":"2011-07-29T14:56:49","slug":"the-little-frogs-in-swedish","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/swedish\/the-little-frogs-in-swedish\/","title":{"rendered":"The Little Frogs – in Swedish"},"content":{"rendered":"

I\u2019m in Denmark attempting to learn Danish<\/a> (if you\u2019re trying to learn Danish, check out the Transparent Danish blog<\/a> and Transparent Danish on Facebook<\/a>). And while my Danish is coming along, I\u2019ve also had the opportunity to spread a little Swedish culture while I\u2019m here.<\/p>\n

Of course, there has been the ever popular exchange of foreign swear words (Swedes, just like most Scandinavians, tend to invoke hell and the devil when they are swearing), the ever-popular exchange of foreign alcohol, and the somewhat less popular folksong and dance.<\/p>\n

I, of course, opted to share some traditional songs. Because what better way to promote a language than by butchering a traditional song with my lack of singing talent? Since Sweden just celebrated Midsummer about a month ago, I thought Sm\u00e5 Grodorna<\/em> was appropriate.\u00a0 The Little Frogs<\/em> is a song sung every Midsummer in probably around every maypole in every town in Sweden.\u00a0 It\u2019s a classic.<\/p>\n

So this post might be a little late. Or early. That\u2019s because Swedes also dance to this song at Christmas time.\u00a0 Replace the maypole with a Christmas tree and the long days with long nights and you\u2019ve got the perfect opportunity to hop around like a little frog while singing.<\/p>\n

The text is below for those of you who want to give the song a shot:<\/p>\n

Sm\u00e5 grodorna, sm\u00e5 grodorna \u00e4r lustiga att se.
\nSm\u00e5 grodorna, sm\u00e5 grodorna \u00e4r lustiga att se.
\nEj \u00f6ron, ej \u00f6ron, ej svansar hava de.
\nEj \u00f6ron, ej \u00f6ron, ej svansar hava de.<\/p>\n

Kou ack ack ack, kou ack ack ack,
\nkou ack ack ack ack kaa.
\nKou ack ack ack, kou ack ack ack,
\nkou ack ack ack ack kaa.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve included an English translation that you can find on Wikipedia here<\/a>:<\/p>\n

The little frogs, the little frogs are funny to observe.
\nThe little frogs, the little frogs are funny to observe.
\nNo ears, no ears no tails do they possess.
\nNo ears, no ears no tails do they possess.<\/p>\n

Kou ack ack ack, kou ack ack ack,
\nkou ack ack ack ack kaa.
\nKou ack ack ack, kou ack ack ack,
\nkou ack ack ack ack kaa.<\/p>\n

And if you\u2019re really feeling inspired, check out the YouTube clip showing the dance moves you\u2019ll have to master before your next Midsummer or Swedish Christmas. The lyrics are a bit hard to hear, but if you follow along with the text you should be fine. Note though that as they switch directions, they break into a different verse singing about the little pigs.\u00a0 Enjoy: