Sønner av Norge

"Sønner av Norge" (originally "Sønner af Norge", lit. '"Sons of Norway"') is the common title of the song "Norsk Nationalsang" (lit. '"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" 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.

Sønner av Norge

Former national anthem of  Norway
Adopted	1820
Succeeded by	"Ja, vi elsker dette landet"

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.[1][2][3]

Lyrics

Norwegian lyrics

English translation

I Sønner af Norges det ældgamle Rige, Sjunger til Harpens den festlige Klang! Mandigt og høitidsfuldt Tonen lad stige, Fædrenelandet indvies vor Sang. Fædreneminder herligt oprinder, Hvergang vi nævne vor Fædrenestavn. Svulmende Hjerter og glødende Kinder Hylde det elskte, det hellige Navn! II Flyver vor Aand til de hensvundne Tider, herligt den skuer vort Fædrelands Glands; Kæmpere gange om Dovrefjelds Sider, Vandre til Ledingefærd som til Dands. Mandige Skarer Bølgen befarer, Norriges Ros bær til fjerneste Kyst; Hjemme er Kæmpere nok som forsvarer Arvede Frihed med modige Bryst. III Medens de Staalklædte prøve sin Styrke, Medens de stande i kjæmpende Rad, Skjalde og Sagamænd Kunsterne dyrke, Riste i Runer de herligste Qvad. Konninger bolde Scepteret holde, Røgte med Viisdom det hellige Kald; Gjennem Aarhundreders Nat deres Skjolde Gjenstraale klart i Erindringens Hal. IV Oldtid! du svandt; men din hellige Flamme Blusser i Nordmandens Hjerte endnu: End er af Æt og af Kraft han den Samme, End staaer til Frihed og Ære hans Hu; Og naar han kvæder Norriges Hæder, Svulmer hans Hjerte af Stolthed og Lyst; Ham er selv Sydens de yndigste Steder Intet mod Norriges sneedækte Kyst. V Frihedens Tempel i Nordmandens Dale Stander saa herligt i Lye af hans Fjeld; Frit tør han tænke, og frit tør han tale, Frit tør han virke til Norriges Held. Fuglen i Skove, Nordhavets Vove Friere er ei end Norriges Mand; Villig dog lyder han selvgivne Love, Trofast mod Konning og Fædreneland. VI Elskede Land med de skyhøie Bjerge, Frugtbare Dale og fiskrige Kyst! Troskap og Kjærlighed fro vi dig sverge; Kalder du, bløde vi for dig med Lyst. Evig du stande, elskte blandt Lande! Frit som den Storm der omsuser dit Fjeld! Og medens Bølgen omsnoer dine Strande, Stedse du voxe i Hæder og Held!

I Sons of Norway, the ancient kingdom, sing to the harps the festive sounds! Manly and full of solemnity let the music rise, Our song consecrates 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; II Our spirits fly to the foregone ages, Beholding our fatherland’s glory; Warriors walked along the mountainsides of Dovre, they hiked to Ledingefærd as if it was 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. III While the steel-clad test their strength, While they stand in fighting rows, Poets, 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 Shines clearly in the hall of memory. IV Ancient past, you disappeared, but your holy flame blazes still in the Norwegian’s heart. One is by family and by power the same, One stands for freedom and the memory of its fame. And whenever he chants Norway’s glory, his heart swells with pride and desire; For him is even the loveliest places of the south Nothing compared to Norway's snow covered coast. V The temple of freedom in Norwegian's valleys Stands so magnificent sheltered by his mountains; Freely he dares think, and freely he dares talk, Freely he dares 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 follows self-given laws, Faithful to King and Fatherland. VI Beloved land with the skyscraping mountains, Fertile valleys and coast rich with fish! Allegiance and Love we pledge to you, If you call upon us, we will happily bleed for you. Eternal you stand, beloved among all lands! Free like the storm who blows around your mountain! And while waves surround your beaches, Evergreen you will grow in entirely and luck!

References

1. Sangen har lysning : studentersang i Norge på 1800-tallet, Anne Jorunn Kydland, 1995, ISBN 82-560-0828-8
2. Viktige trekk fra Norges vels historie 1809-1995, Kristian Kaus, 1996, ISBN 82-7115-100-2
3. Norsk litteraturkritikks historie 1770-1940, Bind 1, Edvard Beyer og Morten Moi, 1990, ISBN 82-00-06623-1