🇳🇴 Foreigner's First Time Hearing "Nordahl Grieg - Til Ungdommen" (med tekst) | Nordic REACTION

[@NordicReactions]

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[@okklidokkli]

I am not sure you catched the essence or the meaning of this Paul, at least you did not comment on it. No, it is not a war song. It is an ANTI war song with a timeless humanistic peace message.

[@TomKirkemo-l5c]

"Til ungdommen" is one of the greatest songs I know. I'm 53 years old. We sung it somtimes. But it wasn't really part of anything regulary.

[@jollyo9276]

Johan Nordahl Brun Grieg was a Norwegian poet, author, playwright, journalist and political activist. He was one of Norway's most prominent poets during his lifetime, and managed to remain productive for 21 years, before he himself became one of "the young dead", at the age of 41. (Wikipedia) He was born i Bergen in 1902, and he died in desember 1943, as he joined a brittish war-flight over Germany as a war reporter and journalist. The aeroplane was among several flights shot down by german air-defence.

[@PrincessStine1987]

This song got played alot after the attacks in Oslo and Utøya on july 22, 2011.

[@jensrasmussen9228]

Honored be their memories. Tears still flood my eyes thinking about them.

[@GlobeHere]

We don't do nationalist stuff at school. However we often sang this song when I went to school. I am from Denmark, and tgis song seems to strike a cord with all Scandinavians.

[@heidifarstadkvalheim4952]

@@GlobeHere how interesting? Didn’t know that this song was song in danish schools. ❤️

[@jensrasmussen9228]

@@heidifarstadkvalheim4952 It strikes a core in most youth across Scandinavia, as I know. I'm 47 now and remember it SO well from practically every youth conference I ever participated in. The drive towards hope for humanity at its core.

[@pipkin5287]

​@@heidifarstadkvalheim4952 absolutely!

[@Kraakesolv]

​@@pipkin5287First time I heard this song it was the Kim Larsen cover, my parents were huge fans.

[@poetcindylynn]

As someone else mentioned, this translation is inaccurate, the song is an ode to peace, humanity and the beauty of life. "The one who gently carries a child in their arms cannot commit murder." It is still very much alive and sung in Denmark.

[@Hantzeth]

I particularly love that line "Edelt er mennesket, jorden er rik! Finnes her nød og sult, skyldes det svik." (Noble is man, the earth is rich! If distress and hunger is found here it is due to betrayal.) Nordahl Grieg was a humanist, and to put it lightly "a leftie".

[@Hantzeth]

This song also resurfaced in the wake of the terrorist attack 22nd of July 2011.

[@andrdiasz]

The song has a message that speaks to both the heart and the mind. It expresses hope that youth can be a force for change, a reminder that the fight against oppression and injustice is important, and a warning against letting fear and hatred rule actions.

[@klausolekristiansen2960]

When I was in the gymnasium, 1975-78, this was one of the songs we sould aften sing in our morning assembly. This was in Denmark.

[@madsimusnuo]

The poem starts with a call to war, but then turns the war effort into a peace effort to save the earth and humanity. So it is actually about peace and properity, rather than war and destruction, but uses them as contrasts.

[@DurgaDasi108]

We also sing it and our friend Kim Larsen sang it😊

[@pipkin5287]

A wonderful anti-war song. We sung it in Denmark too in my school time in the 90's and 00's. I dont know if Sweden has a version of it, but it exists in Norwegian and Danish at least.

[@sveinlarsen4275]

No Paul, it is not the pledge of legions! It is an antiwar song! It has nothing to do with nationalism - quite the opposite.

[@ellenstergaardgravesen1011]

It's very well known in Denmark and the melody is by the danish composer Otto Mortensen. I've known and loved it since I was a child. I've seen you reacting to Kim Larsen - he made a version of this song too. We might sing the national anthem from time to time in school - but it's not often and most Danes get a bit confused when we have to sing the whole song and not just the first verse which we sing at national sports events.

[@arielstruth]

This was mandatory in primari school for me too… It’s burned in my brain, like I knew all the lyrics still, after 22 years out of school.. It was sung in church after the July 22-2011… It ALWAYS MAKES ME CRY!!

[@larserikertzgaardringen7426]

This is a hard text to translate. And I do not think that this translation was goo. As people say: This is a powerful anti war song, and it always bring tears to my eyes. It all gets especially strong when you know that Nordal Grieg died aboard a bomb plane over Nazi germany in 1943.

[@judyjude]

this song has always been special to me. my favorite verses are the last ones. Especially the final line. "We will protect the earth and our humanity, as it was our child, and we will carry it gently."

[@viggodahl9912]

I think you misunderstood. It is a message to the people that when you are called to war ,you respond with humanity, and this is the path to lasting peace.

[@knuto8826]

Fair to mention is that Nordal Grieg was shut down and was killed during a bombing raid over Berlin in 1943. A great poet and also a famous resistence fighter.

[@AlphaChinoz]

@@knuto8826 in what way was he a resistance fighter?

[@homla8116]

He was a Norwegian Airforce pilot. Norway was occupied at the time, so he fought with the British.

[@homla8116]

He was a Norwegian Airforce pilot. Norway was occupied at the time, so he fought with the British.

[@Kraakesolv]

​@@homla8116No. He was a war correspondent; a journalist. Not a pilot.

[@CATOGUSTAVSON]

It's a humanistic anti-war song to defend our inalianable rights and freedom when war was stirring in Europe.

[@lhpl]

Wow. I love the song, always have. That was a beautiful performance of it, I will have to check out the original. It made me tear up completely. I don't remember when I heard this song first, but it definitely is a song that is frequently sung. We Danes, and I am certain this goes for the other Nordics as well, like to sing on various - and many - occasions. We have many popular song books, and I doubt there is a person in Denmark who doesn't know for example "De Små Synger" (The little ones sing), a song book with 134 children's songs, first published in 1948. My mother sang songs from it for me when I was a little boy, and I have sung them for my two children, from right after birth and until they were too old for bedtime stories and songs. Other common song books are Højskolesangbogen (Highschool song book, a part of the Danish "folk high school" movement started by our philosopher, poet, author, teacher and politician N.F.S. Grundtvig, intended to help young adults - originally people from the peasantry get betted educated), and Arbejdersangbogen (Workers' song book, a song published for unions and other parts of the workers' movement). From South Jutland, where I grew up, "den blå sangbog" (the blue song book), which was first published in 1867 played a big role in keeping Danish identity and language alive during the Prussian/German rule from 1864 to 1920. People would meet privately, dring coffee and eat lots of cake, and sing patriotic Danish songs and hymns. When I started in school in the mid-1970es each pupil was given this song book, and it was for keeps. I don't know if that was a special tradition just in my school, or if this is still the case. Similarly, during the occupation of Denmark in WW2, passive resistance against German occupation was shown by large groups of people gathering outdoors for "Alsang" (All-song?) events, singing together. Til Ungdommen is definitely a humanist song, but although it can be interpreted as pacifist, it is not necessarily so. I can only suggest reading about Nordahl Grieg as he was a very complex person. Most of all, the song is about believing in your power as a human being to fight for what is good and right. This is also why it is often used when young people finish school, for example in 9. grade or gymnasium (A-levels.) Written in 1936, it most obviously is also an anti-fascist song (although ironically perhaps, Grieg seems to have been somewhat naïvely drawn towards Stalinist communism - this was not uncommon at the time.) It definitely is a strong reminder that there are things worth risking your life for, and that even when surrounded by enemies, you never give up. I don't think it is a trait only found in the Nordic countries, but it definitely is a big part of our own "understanding" of the "nordic" spirit or mentality. There are other songs like this, some are more nationalist/patriotic than others, but I think the nationalist aspect is often toned down. One is _I alle de Riger og Lande_ by B.S. Ingeman (1837, music by Gebauer 1845) which is about Holger Danske (Ogier le Danois) a legendary Danish knight and paladin of Charlemagne, who according to the myth rests at Kronborg, a sleeping hero who will arise if Denmark is endangered. Another is _Altid Frejdig når du går_ (Always cheerful when you go/walk): this song from 1867 (by Christian Richardt), and just its last verse condenses some of the spirit also felt in _Til Ungdommen_ : "Kæmp for alt hvad du har kært / dø om så det gælder / da er livet ej så svært / døden ikke heller" (Fight for all that you hold dear / die if it has to be so / then life is not so hard / and neither is death.) This song is often sung at funerals. Denmark has two "national hymns", the national hymn _Der er et yndigt land_ and _Kong Christian_ - the first is mostly a loving tribute to the Danish landscape, with our glorious history and great people mentioned almost _en passant_ , and is the most used, while the second is used primarily when Danish royalty is present, and for military/official events. Of course Kong Christian is about a naval battle against Sweden in 1644, so it is _very_ nationalist, and quite graphic even. The American poet Longfellow has translated it to English as _King Christian stood by the lofty mast_ . I guess the situation is a bit similar in England, with _God Save the King_ and Blake's _Jerusalem_ both being used as (unofficial?) national anthems.

[@mememe733]

Jeg er fra 1972 og er opvokset i København. Jeg gik på Østerfarimagsgades skole og vi brugte også den blå sangbog. Mener dog ikke at vi fik dem foræret, men at de blev delt ud hver morgen. når vi skulle synge i dansktimen. Vores lærer var en sønderjysk kvinde i tresserne, så hun gik op i at vi lærte en del om krigen og nazismen. Kringsat af fjender blev ofte sunget og vi vidste hvad sangen handlede om. Vores skole havde 100 års jubilæum in 1985. Under krigen var den beslaglagt af tyskerne og fra 1945-1946 husede den tyske flygtninge. Da jeg gik der var der stadig de originale sortlægningsgardiner, som blev brugt hvis vi skulle se film eller overheads 😊 Jeg plejede også at synge for min datter da hun var lille og selv da hun blev teenager, ville hun når hun var ked af det, bede mig om at synge de samme børnesange som jeg plejede at synge for hende når hun skulle sove. Hun er nu 26 og blev for nogle år siden diagnosticeret med autisme og angst, og når hun sommetider har det virkelig skidt og ikke kan stoppe med at græde, kan jeg stadig berolige hende (selvom det gør hende lidt flov 😂) ved at synge en velkendt sang fra hendes barndom. De minder giver hende stadig tryghed og følelsen af at være elsket. Jeg ville ønske at alle forældre ville synge for deres børn, nu hvor jeg forstår hvor stor betydning det faktisk har ☺️ Og jeg har bestemt ikke nogen god sangstemme, når vi skulle synge religiøse sange som “en rose så jeg skyde” i skolen, bad vores lærerinde mig om (som den eneste elev!) at tie stille 😂😂😂

[@vegardaukrust5447]

It got a renaissance after the terror in 2011. The poet was very anti-fascist and anti-nazi.

[@jeschinstad]

In Norway we have an atheist alternative to religion, called Human-Ethicism. They serve many of the same purposes as a church, performing weddings, naming rituals (like a baptism), funerals and also the ritual of the coming of age, which in Christianity is the confirmation of the baptism. In Human-Ethics confirmation, we study morality, ethics and construction of peace and this song is very important in that. I absolutely love this metaphor that a man who uses his swordarm to carry his baby won't easily draw his sword. Ever since The March of the Roses, I can't hear this song without tearing up.

[@Henrik46]

@jeschinstad It's just Secular Humanism with a different name. They claim to have ethics, but can't ground it in anything concrete. If it's OK for an animal to force itself on another, why should it be wrong for humans? Humans are just animals, right? Also, atheists abd agnostics believe that every human is the end of a billions of years line of unguided evolution. How can you trust that the ability to think logically was prioritised in this process. You have no way of knowing it did.

[@jeschinstad]

@@Henrik46 This sounds like an American who has never been to a Christian country like Norway. I don't think that you could even imagine living in a Christian country where Jesus lays the foundation of all laws and where we atheists live like Jesus would because he was right and not out of fear of his fathers punishment. No, Humans are not just animals. That contradicts Socrates, Jesus and modern science, all of which are rejected by American Christianity, that worships Mammon instead of God.

[@DurgaDasi108]

It teaches us real moral and how to become better human. And yes we sing all kind of songs. In my childhood we had morning song and it was mostly Christian salms, but also other things. The whole school was together every morning. I loved it very much. I hope schools today has kept this tradition because it also made all of us familiar with each other so elder and young students respect each other more.

[@madsimusnuo]

It is not not like the pledge of allegiance. Thats sh*t is wierd.

[@henningmogensen9144]

It is a song that went well with my parents (anti war movement). And with flower-power movement. And still we sing it from time to time. In Denmark that is. You felt the power of it?

[@NorwegianPlanes_andstuff]

You should also try listening to this song/hymn from Oslo Cathedral with a mighty Organ!

[@runedanmark]

Don’t know if it obligatorily in all schools, but in my public school we spend a lot of time it it. Often it’s song in times of crises and feels really powerful when group people spontaneous break out in singing this - as you say, it boost moral. To if it’s a war or anti-war song, it depends a lot on setting where it’s song because it’s both... we song it in the military too :) For me it’s calls for humanity and peace, but not by being idle - it’s about doing something in the name of good, taking a stance and pay the price if nesseary.

[@Daisysmum]

Yes we had to learn this in school ☺️so i got some memory lane now❤️

[@jensrasmussen9228]

Hearing this song at the memorial ceremony for the victims of the attack on Utoya was one of the most moving moments I've experienced. Here it is in a brilliant version with the Danish band HUGORM: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqSWd4J_ma-Yjas

[@tgkfjx3y]

Nordahl Grieg was born and raised in Bergen. He was a distant relative of the famous composer Edvard Grieg from Bergen. Nordahl Grieg had a strong fascination for Finnmark, and in 1939 he had a major Finnmark novel under planning. The realization of this was thwarted because in October of that year he was called up to serve as a neutrality guard in the Alta battalion, Northern Norway. He remained there until New Year 1940. When the war came, he had a strong desire to fight for his fatherland. He enlisted in April at Jørstadmoen and joined the squad that was guarding the gold reserves of Norges Bank when they were transported from the Norges Bank vault in Oslo via Lillehammer to Tromsø, and then to London. He was a celebrity of his time. He was often mentioned in the newspapers during his active career. In England, he fought against Nazi Germany with his pen. Gradually, Grieg developed a strong desire to take part in one of the bombing raids in 1943 on the German capital, despite the fact that the English squadron had suffered heavy losses. The bomber he was in was hit, caught fire and crashed. Nordahl Grieg died instantly. The poem To Youth was written in 1936 in Ny-Hellesund in Søgne on the southern tip of Norway. Politician Trond Hegna, Norwegian Communist Party, encouraged him to write a suitable poem. Later, in 1952, a Danish composer was given permission to set the poem to melody. Beyond that, the Danes had nothing to do with Nordahl Grieg and the poem. In 1940, he wrote the poem "17 May 1940". We had to learn that poem at school when I was young. Here, Nordahl Grieg reads his own poem "17. mai" It's a mighty poem. m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/iX2tfH6loalnntU

[@exentr]

From The Gold Run from Oslo to London via Tromsø, in which Nordahl Grieg did particiate in, as a private kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGmxq4qno5Z9rZIsi=HfYhx6MR6eabJGPd

[@SthiffGamerz]

My favorite version as well. It's more soothing.

[@mememe733]

The translation was honestly not the best. Remember it was written at a time when fascism was on the rise many places in europe. Hitler became the leader of the nazist party in 1933, and came to power in 1937. Many people were aware of the increasing danger and feared what was coming. The poem was therefore a warning about what was happening. An appeal to especially young people, to understand and take seriously the ominous currents, and to commit themselves to fight the gathering fascist “bloody storm” To fight it, not with weapons of destruktion, but with our humanity, with respect for life and with belief in human worth. Basically it’s an appeal to be courageous in dangerous and uncertain times, to stand together against the rising anti-semitism and fascism, to protect our ideals and values, from being tainted by hatred and prejudice. A cause worth dying for if need be, rather than give in. I think the reason it was dedicated to the youth, was because it was a generation thart had grown up without experiencing WWI, but had lived through the economic difficult time of the twenties and thirties. Jews were often better of economically, causing envy and resentment in the general populations. Anti-semitic propaganda was common on a national scale, even officially supported by governments all over Europe including Scandinavia.

[@tuttasb]

If anyone is interested in an english version, Rein Alexander got a beautiful version of it, "To The Youth": kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKbHlX6Lna1glbMsi=yDypLp9IgKZRS2ZN

[@lhpl]

Listening to it now, I think the translation leaves something to be desired... It isn't very faithful to the original content and meaning.

[@DurgaDasi108]

As others says this is an anti-war song. It is more like why should young people die for old peoples ignotrants wars. We song it for morningsong from 6th classe. And yes we did, and salms and later on we went to the people high school song book. But this was througout my 10 years of primary school.