I denna ljuva sommartid (In This Sweet Summertime)
"I denna ljuva sommartid" (In this sweet summertime) is a well-known traditional summer psalm in Sweden. The text is of German origin and was written in 1653 by Paul Gerhardt with the title «Geh’ aus, mein Herz, und such Freud», also called «Sommerlied». The psalm is sung with different melodies, including one that is part of the Swedish Hymnal Songbook and is sung at schools before the summer holidays.
In this arrangement, I’ve used a traditional melody after Vittsis Karin from Malung in Sweden, and I’ve used 3 of the 8 verses of the psalm and which describes summer as a gift from God. As a composer, arranging songs that can be regarded as a national treasure in another country is something you do with great respect. But also, working with other countries’ traditional music that’s not in your own blood, can hopefully result in a fresh and new take on the original.
Available with both Swedish and English lyrics but may also be performed in German with the original text.
Erratum: The tempo at measure 35 should be crotchet/quarter note = 60, not 90 as is printed.
DETAILS
- Instrumentation: SSAA div. unaccompanied
- Duration: 5 minutes
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Author/lyricist: Swedish: Joachim von Düben, English: Catherine Winkworth
- Language: Swedish or English
- Year: 2015
- Licensing: Boosey & Hawkes
SWEDISH PRONUNCIATION
THE TEXT
Swedish:
- I denna ljuva sommartid
gå ut, min själ, och gläd dig vid
den store Gudens gåvor.
Se, härligt smyckad jorden står,
se hur för dig och mig hon får
så underbara håvor!
- Av rika löv är grenen full,
och jorden täckt sin svarta mull
med sköna, gröna kläder.
Och blommorna i ängens krans
med större härlighet och glans
än Salomos dig gläder.
- När jag hör lärkans morgonsång,
när fåglar kvittrar dagen lång
på ängar, berg och backar,
då kan jag icke tiga still.
Min Gud, så länge jag är till,
för livet jag dig tackar.
English:
- Go forth, my heart, and seek delight,
While summer reigns so fair and bright,
View God's abundance daily;
The beauty of these gardens see,
Behold how they for me and thee
Have decked themselves so gaily.
- The trees with spreading leaves are blessed,
The earth her dusty rind has dressed
In green so young and tender.
Narcissus and the tulip fair
Are clothed in raiment far more rare
Than Solomon in splendor.
- The lark soars upward to the skies,
And from her cote the pigeon flies,
Her way to woodlands winging.
The silver-throated nightingale
Fills mountain, meadow, hill, and dale
With her delightful singing.
Instrumentation: SATB, SSAA, or TTBB div. unaccompanied
Duration:5minutes
Author/lyricist:Anon 20th century
Language: English
Year: 2011
Licensing: Norsk Musikkforlag
A work about hope in the darkest time of life. The text was written by a Jew hiding in Cologne, Germany, during World War 2 where the text was found scratched onto a wall.
Commissioned by the St. Olaf Festival (Olavsfestdagene) in Trondheim, Norway, and premiered on July 30 by the Nidaros Cathedral Girls' Choir at an event with the bishop of Nidaros Tor Singsås and actress Liv Ullmann. The SATB version was premiered by the Nidaros Cathedral Boys' Choir on November 26, 2011, in Nidaros Cathedral, Trondheim. A TTBB version was commissioned and premiered by Chor Leoni and conductor Erick Lichte in 2017. Arrangments for wind ensemble or brass band are also available.
I believe in the sun, even when it's not shining.
I believe in love, even when I feel it not.
I believe in God, even when He is silent.
Anon. 20th Century
