Norway - national anthem

• "Ja, vi elsker dette landet" / "Yes, we love this country" was written by Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson (Bjornstjerne Bjornson), one of Norway’s great dramatists and poets.

• It was first published in 1859.

• The music was composed by Rikard Nordraak, cousin of Bjørnson and a friend of the famed Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg, in 1864.

• It was first performed later that year for the 50th anniversary of Norway's constitution, and caught on quickly, overtaking “Sønner af Norges” ("Sons of Norway") in popularity.

• It became a part of the reading books in schools all over the country, and was sung by the children in the children’s parades organized by Bjørnson on every 17th of May.

• Despite serving as the defacto national anthem for well over a hundred years, it was first in 2019 the song got the official status as the national anthem of Norway.

The lyrics translated to English:

Yes, we love this country

as it rises forth,

rugged, weathered, over the water,

with the thousands of homes, —

love, love it and think

of our father and mother

and the saga-night that lays

dreams upon our earth.

This country Harald united

with his army of heroes,

this country Håkon protected

whilst Øyvind sung;

upon the country Olav painted

with his blood the cross,

from its heights Sverre spoke

up against Rome.

Farmers their axes sharpened

wherever an army advanced,

Tordenskjold along the coastline thundered

so that we could see it back home.

Even women stood up and fought

as if they were men;

others could only cry

but that soon would end!

Sure, we were not many

but we were enough,

when we were tested sometimes,

and it was at stake;

we would rather burn our land

than to declare defeat;

just remember what happened

down at Fredrikshald!

Hard times we have coped with,

were at last disowned;

but in the worst distress, blue-eyed

freedom was to us born.

It gave (us) father's strength to carry

famine and war,

it gave death itself its honour –

and it gave reconciliation.

The enemy threw away his weapon,

up the visor went,

we, in wonder, to him hastened,

because he was our brother.

Driven forth to a stand by shame

we went to the south;

now we three brothers stand united,

and shall stand like that!

Norwegian man in house and cabin,

thank your great God!

The country he wanted to protect,

although things looked dark.

All the fights fathers have fought,

and the mothers have wept,

the Lord has quietly eased

so we won our rights.

Yes, we love this country

as it rises forth,

rugged, weathered, above the sea,

with those thousand homes.

And as the fathers' struggle has raised

it from need to victory,

even we, when it is demanded,

for its peace will encamp (for defense).

Original lyrics:

Ja, vi elsker dette landet,

som det stiger frem,

furet, værbitt over vannet,

med de tusen hjem, —

elsker, elsker det og tenker

på vår far og mor

og den saganatt som senker

drømmer på vår jord.

Dette landet Harald berget

med sin kjemperad,

dette landet Håkon verget,

medens Øyvind kvad;

Olav på det landet malet

korset med sitt blod,

fra dets høye Sverre talet

Roma midt imot.

Bønder sine økser brynte

hvor en hær dro frem;

Tordenskjold langs kysten lynte,

så den lystes hjem.

Kvinner selv stod opp og strede

som de vare menn;

andre kunne bare grede,

men det kom igjen!

Visstnok var vi ikke mange,

men vi strakk dog til,

da vi prøvdes noen gange,

og det stod på spill;

ti vi heller landet brente

enn det kom til fall;

husker bare hva som hendte

ned på Fredrikshald!

Hårde tider har vi døyet,

ble til sist forstøtt;

men i verste[e] nød blåøyet

frihet ble oss født.

Det gav faderkraft å bære

hungersnød og krig,

det gav døden selv sin ære —

og det gav forlik.

Fienden sitt våpen kastet,

opp visiret fór,

vi med undren mot ham hastet,

ti han var vår bror.

Drevne frem på stand av skammen,

gikk vi søderpå;

nå står vi tre brødre sammen,[f]

og skal sådan stå!

Norske mann i hus og hytte,

takk din store Gud!

Landet ville han beskytte,

skjønt det mørkt så ut.

Alt, hva fedrene har kjempet,

mødrene har grett,

har den Herre stille lempet,

så vi vant vår rett.

Ja, vi elsker dette landet,

som det stiger frem,

furet, værbitt over vannet,

med de tusen hjem.

Og som fedres kamp har hevet

det av nød til seir,

også vi, når det blir krevet,

for dets fred slår leir.