137/365 Songs: Vise for Gærne Jinter – Alf Prøysen
Til alle mine norske venner: gratulerer med dagen! Hurra for 17. mai! Today’s song is dedicated to my Norwegian friends: Dag and Elisabeth, Knut and Ane, Jørund and Anne-Grete, and all other friends I’ve colleagues I’ve worked with over the years. 17th May is Norway’s national day and on many occasions I’ve been in Sandefjord on this day. The day begins with the barnatog, a parade of every child in every school in the town, with everyone in national costume, me included! The rest of the day is taken up with family celebrations, more parades and parties. It’s been an honour to be welcomed into family celebrations on this day in the past and I’d very much like to be in Norway today to celebrate, but it wasn’t possible for me to go over this year. To John and Wendy, John and Ann, Dorothy and Ian, I hope you enjoy the day! A special mention for Dag for whom this will be the final barnatog as head teacher of Krokemoa school.
Now, a bit of explanation about the song I’ve chosen for today. Two years ago we had a wonderful meal (elk stew, I believe!) at Knut and Ane’s house and after the meal we had a bit of a sing-song. Knut taught us all a well-known Norwegian song which had something to do with strawberries. And that’s where the story ended. When I was trying to think up a song to play today (I felt Ja, vi elsker was maybe a bit much, and I’m keeping my Jan Teigen Eurovision classics for later this month!) I thought it would be a nice idea to find this song, work out a piano version and perform it. Armed with nothing but “Norwegian song which has something to do with strawberries” I began my research, finally finding a version by Maj Britt Andersen. I’ve based my recording on this version, and hope you enjoy it.
Så, jeg håper dere da i Norge har det kjempebra i dag og vi snees snart!
Sing-song at Knut and Ane's house
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Podcast: Download (Duration: 2:46 — 3.8MB)
Hallo Mark!
Thank you for your wonderful play – a very nice version! Thanks for the warm greetings for our National day! We have a wonderful day, but I hope we may celebrate with you another year.
Anne and I send our thanks and regards to you and your family!
You friend
Knut
Hei Knut! Så glad at dere har hørt sangen. Jeg har sett litt fra webkameran på Torget, men jeg tror at solen skinner ikke
Ha en fint dag of hils alle kjente!
Mark,
I so enjoy how you put YOU in these descriptions, telling us your connection to the song from time to time. This picture is a treat.
Thank you for the story and for bringing to my mind warm thoughts of all the fine Norwegian friends and families (transplants to US) I have known over the years. Their rich culture and traditions made a wonderful impact on me, especially as an early teen (last century).
Hi Mark
That was beautiful – I really enjoyed it – and thanks too for your greetings … but it has all just made me feel even more sad that I’m not in Sandefjord celebrating National Day with our friends. We couldn’t believe it when the announcement was made yesterday that the flight was cancelled and we then had the long journey back home from Liverpool….
Anyway, takk & ha det bra,
Dorothy
Takk, tusen takk! Du spiller kjempebra! og det var veldig hyggelig å hilsner på telefon og denne på Facebook! Jeg håper du får anledning til å komme til Sandefjord snart slik at vi kan få en prat. Du er alltid hjertelig velkommen!
The Mumbling Society were slightly reduced as you know, but we hope to reconvene next year and hopefully you will join us! Beste hilsen til deg og familien din, hilsen Dag – ha det bra!