"Sønner av Norge" ('Sons of Norway') is the common title of the song "Norsk Nationalsang" ('Norwegian National Song'), which was the de facto national anthem of Norway from 1820 until the early 20th century. From the mid-1860s, "Ja, vi elsker dette landet" ('Yes, We Love This Land') gradually came to occupy the unofficial position as national anthem, but was used alongside "Sønner af Norge" until the early 20th century, with "Sønner af Norge" being preferred in official situations.
History The lyrics were written by Henrik Anker Bjerregaard (1792–1842) and the melody by Christian Blom (1782–1861), after the Royal Norwegian Society for Development had announced a competition to write a national anthem for Norway in 1819. "Norsk Nationalsang" ("Sønner af Norge") was announced as the winner.Sangen har lysning : studentersang i Norge på 1800-tallet, Anne Jorunn Kydland, 1995, Viktige trekk fra Norges vels historie 1809-1995, Kristian Kaus, 1996, Norsk litteraturkritikks historie 1770-1940, Bind 1, Edvard Beyer og Morten Moi, 1990,
Lyrics Norwegian originalEnglish translationOriginal textModern textBerg, Mads. Skolens sangbok. Aschehoug, Oslo 1964, p.136.Sons of Norway, the olden kingdom, sing to the harps the festive sounds! Manly and full of solemnity let the music rise, Our song consecrateth the ancestral land. Memories of ancestors gloriously return, each time we mention our ancestral roots. Hearts swelling with pride and glowing cheeks hail the beloved, the sacred name;
Our spirits fly to the foregone ages, Beholding our fatherland's glory; Warriors walked along the peaks of Dovre, to Ledingefærd they hiked like a dance. Crowds of men bring by the waves, Norway's pride to distant coasts; At home, we have warriors who will defend Inherited freedoms with brave hearts.
While the steel-clad test their strength, While they in fighting rows stand, Poets and storytellers cultivate their art, Carving in runes the finest of verses. Bold kings hold the sceptre With wisdom followed the holy call; Through the night of centuries their shields Shine clearly in the hall of memory.
Olden past, thou disappeared, but thy holy flame blazeth still in Norwegian heart. One is by family and by power the same, One standeth for freedom and memory of its fame. And whenever he chanteth Norway's glory, his heart swelleth with pride and desire; To him are even the loveliest places of the south Nothing compared to Norway's snow-covered coast.
The temple of freedom in Norwegian valleys Stands so magnificent sheltered by his mountains; Freely he dareth think, and freely he dareth talk, Freely he dareth work in Norway's favour. The fowl in the forest, the inlets of the North Sea None are freer than the Norwegian; Willingly though he followeth self-given laws, Faithful to King and Fatherland.
Beloved land with the skyscraping mountains, Fertile valleys and coast rich with fish! Allegiance and love we pledge to thee, If thou upon us callest, we will happily bleed for thee. Eternal thou standest, beloved among all lands! Free like the storm that blows around thy mountains! And while waves envelop thy beaches, Forever thou shalt grow in glory and luck!
Notes
References