"Where we love is home,
Home that our feet may leave,
but not our hearts."
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., Homesick in Heaven
Home that our feet may leave,
but not our hearts."
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., Homesick in Heaven
HÄLSA DEM DÄRHEMMA
One of the most popular and beloved Swedish folk songs is, Hälsa dem därhemma. Written about a young sailor stationed at the helm of the ship, who asks the swallow to send his regards back home, it became a popular song for those who emigrated from Sweden. It's sentiment is about longing for the homeland and sending greetings to families and friends left behind. Listen to this beautiful version of the song.
I den stora tysta natt,
Står jag här vid skeppets ratt, Under himlens stjärnehär, Man på post mig satt. Efter lång och strävsam dag, Hör jag fjärran vingeslag, Svalors flock som återgår Mot nord, mot ljus, mot vår. Hälsa dem därhemma, Hälsa far och mor. Hälsa grona hagen, Hälsa lillebror. Om jag hade vingar Flöge jag med dig, Svala, flyg mot hemmet, Hälsa ifrån mig. Lilla Svala, fastän svag, Dag och natt, och natt och dag, Förer dig till målet fram snabba vingeslag. Svala Tänk också på mig! Gärna flyger jag med dig! Hemma står väl ängen grön, O, svala hör min bön. Hälsa dem därhemma, Hälsa far och mor. Hälsa grona hagen, Hälsa lillebror. Om jag hade vingar Flöge jag med dig, Svala, flyg mot hemmet, Hälsa ifrån mig. |
LITERAL TRANSLATION (Not intended to be sung):
(from http://www.pihl.us/leif/songs/halsa-dem-darhemma.html) 1. In the big silent night, I am standing here at the helm of the boat, Under the stars in heaven, I am at my station. After a long and hard day, I hear the sound of wings far away, A flood of swallows returning Towards north, towards light, towards spring. CHORUS: Send my regards to those at home, Send my regards to father and mother. Send my regards to the green fields, Send my regards to little brother. If I had wings I would fly with you, Swallows, fly towards my home, Send my regards from me. 2. Little swallows, although weak, Day and night, and night and day, You proceed to the goal on quick flaps of wings. Swallows think also of me! I would dearly fly with you! At home stand the green field, O swallows, hear my prayer. SINGABLE TRANSLATION: (from http://home.pcisys.net/~don_erickson/halsadem.htm) 1. On the deck I stand at night, When the stars above are bright, Far away from friends and home, Lonely here I roam. Swallows on their wings so high, Now in spring they homeward fly, To the land where sunlight beams Into my childhood dreams. CHORUS: Greet my dear old mother, Greet my father too, And my little brother When he welcomes you. If I had wings to follow, Happy would I be. Dearest little swallow, Greet them all from me. 2. Little swallow, weak and light, Night and day and day and night, Toward your goal your wings so swift Carry you away. Swallow, listen then to me, How I'd fly across the sea To the meadows green at home, Oh, swallow, hear my plea. |