{"id":4828,"date":"2011-12-13T23:59:20","date_gmt":"2011-12-13T23:59:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/swedish\/?p=4828"},"modified":"2016-12-13T19:34:09","modified_gmt":"2016-12-13T19:34:09","slug":"sankta-lucia-in-sweden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/swedish\/sankta-lucia-in-sweden\/","title":{"rendered":"Sankta Lucia in Sweden"},"content":{"rendered":"

A couple of years ago, we wrote about the Lucia tradition in Sweden<\/a>. But with it being the 13th<\/sup> of December yet again, it was time to give a quick refresher course.<\/p>\n

The Lucia tradition involves a woman dressed in white with a crown of candles upon her head. Following her are several young boys, also dressed in white, with conical star covered hats on their heads, and several women dressed in, you guessed it, white. The woman appointed to be Lucia is usually carrying baked goods and coffee to serve.\u00a0 Known as Luciat\u00e5gs (literally a Lucia train), these processions wander through offices and schools on December 13th<\/sup> spreading light and delicious fika materials.<\/p>\n

Katja did a great job of explaining some of the baked goods that make a traditional Lucia day a few days ago when she wrote Lussekatter, Lussebullar and Lussel\u00e4ngd<\/a>. If you\u2019re feeling adventurous, check it out and try baking your own Lussekatter. Be warned, they do call for saffron and saffron is not cheap.<\/p>\n

Along with the candles, the coffee, and the baked goods is the singing.\u00a0 There are several Lucia songs that could be considered classic, but the one that always comes to mind from my time in Sweden is simply titled Sankta Lucia<\/p>\n

The melody (apparently) is an old Neopolitan one, but there are several different lyrical versions. Below, you will find a lovely rendition on YouTube, as well as the accompanying text. Enjoy:<\/p>\n

Sankta Lucia, ljusklara h\u00e4gring,
\nsprid i v\u00e5r vinternatt glans av din f\u00e4gring.
\n||: Dr\u00f6mmar med vingesus under oss sia,
\nt\u00e4nd dina vita ljus, Sankta Lucia.\u00a0:||<\/p>\n

Kom i din vita skrud, huld med din maning.
\nSk\u00e4nk oss, du julens brud, julfr\u00f6jders aning.
\n||: Dr\u00f6mmar med vingesus, under oss sia,
\nt\u00e4nd dina vita ljus, Sankta Lucia.\u00a0:||<\/p>\n

Trollsejd och m\u00f6rkermakt ljust du betvingar,
\nsignade l\u00e5gors vakt skydd \u00e5t oss bringar.
\n||: Dr\u00f6mmar med vingesus, under oss sia,
\nt\u00e4nd dina vita ljus, Sankta Lucia.\u00a0:||<\/p>\n

Stj\u00e4rnor som leda oss, v\u00e4gen att finna,
\nbli dina klara bloss, fagra pr\u00e4stinna.
\n||: Dr\u00f6mmar med vingesus, under oss sia,
\nt\u00e4nd dina vita ljus, Sankta Lucia.\u00a0:||<\/p>\n