Sons of Norway - An old Popular Norwegian Song
This is a translation of the old and popular Norwegian song that just was hear all over Norway in 1905 and breathes the spirit of courage and independence that is conspicuous in the transition to Norway's independence from Sweden in 1905.
Norsemen, awaken the harp from its slumbers;
Strike for old Norway, the land of the free!
High and heroic, in soul starring numbers
Land of our fathers we strike it for thee!
Old Recollections
Wake one's affections
Each time we speak of the land of our birth.
Heart beating loudly and cheeks glowing proudly,
Honor old Norway, the dearest on earth
Spirit, look back on her far flashing glory,
Gaze on the splendor that bursts on the glance.
Chieftains and vikings immortal in story
Pressed to the battle like maids to the dance.
Blood flows before them,
Billows dash o'er them,
Over the ocean they carry her fame.
Champions enough, though, are left in the country
To battle and bleed for her freedom and name.
Pride of the Norseman, the temple of freedom
Stands like a rock where the stormy wind breaks.
Tempests howl 'round it, but little he'll heed them,
Freely he thinks, and as freely he speaks.
Birds in their motion,
Waves of the ocean,
Poorly can rival his liberty's voice,
Yet he obeys with a willing devotion
Laws of his making and kings of his choice.
Land of the forest, the fjord and the fountain,
Blessed with the wealth of the field and the flood.
Steady and trustful, the sons of the mountain
Pay the glad price of thy rights with their blood.
Ocean hath found thee,
Flourish, old Norway; they flag be unfurled,
Free as the breezes and breakers around thee,
Pride of thy children, the first in the world!
Source: The Daily Kennebec Journal, Kennebec, Maine, September 30, 1905
