I was at a Norwegian Christmas party (Norsk Julefest) this year, on behalf of Moods of Norway – the first time we’ve had one like this in Minneapolis, and I saw a bunch of friends. Some, new friends whom I’d never met until tonight. I was reminded of the goodnight song we sing every night at the Concordia Language Villages – Skogfjorden, the Norwegian camp where I started learning Norwegian. I’ve gotten a little help from my friend Frode (who also taught me Norwegian—one of my favorite teachers and counselors at the Villages). The version we’re singing is a slightly simplified version of an old folk song from Stavanger called «Lev vel.» One of the main reasons I decided to take up this project this December, is to find a little more slowness and to feel more comfortable with silence now and then. Sort of like ”stopping and smelling the roses.” A good friend of mine told me that Americans, in general, talk more because they are scared of the silence, and I think we could all stand to enjoy the unspoken moments between each other more often. When Frode and I started singing, toward the end of the night, the room actually started to get quieter and another woman started to sing with us. (You can hear her in the background if you listen carefully.) ___________ (Skogfjorden’s Version) Lev vel! --så skal me seie og så lettar eg på min hatt. ||:2 Og så seier alle gode vennar --Ha ei god og ei roleg natt. ||:2 God natt. God natt. Takk for i kveld, ooo! _____ (Translated Skogfjorden Version) ”Live well!” we all say, and then I tip my hat. ||:2 And then all good friends Say, ”Have a nice, And a peaceful night.” ||:2 Good night. Good night. Thanks for tonight, wooo! _______ Full text: Lev vel! --Så skal me seie. Og så lyftar eg på min hatt. Lev vel! --Så skal me seie. Og så svingar eg på min stakk. Og så seier alle gode vennar --Ha ei god, og ei roleg natt. God natt. God natt. _____ Translation: ”Live well!” we all say, and then I lift my hat. ”Live well!” we all say, and then I swing my cane. And then all good friends Say, ”Have a nice, And a peaceful night.” ||:2 Good night. Good night. youtu.be/eIdDMlgwoMI
Posted on: Fri, 05 Dec 2014 06:30:28 +0000
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