[1881]
Versi / En dikt av / A poem by / Poème de : Viktor Rydberg/in runo
Compositori / Kompositörer / Composers / Compositeurs / Säveltäjät :
Lyyli Wartiovaara-Kallioniemi (1907-1970)
Ulf Andersson
This beloved poem describing the mysterious peace and quiet of a winter night was originally published in Ny Illustrerad Tidning in 1881. The Swedish word »tomten« refers to a mythological creature from Nordic folklore today typically associated with the winter solstice and the Christmas season. It is generally described as being no taller than 90 cm, having a long white beard, and wearing a conical or knit cap in red or some other bright color.
According to tradition, it lives in the houses and barns of the farmstead, and secretly acts as their guardian. If treated well, it protects the family and animals from evil and misfortune, and may also aid the chores and farm work. However,... (Continues)
Questa deliziosa poesia, che descrive la misteriosa pace e la quiete di una notte d'inverno, fu pubblicata per la prima volta nel Ny Illustrerad Tidning (“Nuovo Giornale Illustrato”) nel 1881. La parola svedese tomten indica una creatura mitologica del folklore nordico tipicamente associata al solstizio d'inverno e al periodo natalizio. Generalmente lo si descrive come non più alto di 90 cm, con una lunga barba bianca e con sulla testa un berretto conico o di maglia, rosso o di un altro colore vivace.
Secondo la tradizione, vive nelle abitazioni e nelle stalle della fattoria, e fa loro segretamente da guardiano. Se viene ben trattato, protegge la famiglia e gli animali dal male e dalla sventura, e può anche aiutare nei lavori di casa e agricoli. Tuttavia è noto anche per il suo caratteraccio, specie se viene offeso. Se insultato, gioca di solito brutti scherzi, ruba delle cose e addirittura... (Continues)
Thank you, Riccardo Venturi, for your Christmas wishes and for having restructured the page. I would very much appreciate if you could correct the layout of the English translation by Charles Wharton Stork (11 instead of now 8 verses). The original I submitted did have 11 verses, but something happened on its way from icy Finland to the bit universe. Maybe the Tomten has played one of its tricks.
I have corrected the layout of both Charles Stork's English version and Danila Oppio's Italian version. A special thank for showing Torgny Lindgren's reading of the poem: I have known Torgny Lindgren in person, and he also presented me a copy of his Ormens väg på hälleberget with his signature and dedication. This was long ago. Torgny Lindgren died on 16 March 2017; may he rest in peace.
I just noticed that the above hyperlink leads to a wrong Ulf Andersson. It's not the one from Swedish Örnsköldsvik but another one from Finnish Perniö / Pernå (see https://www.uppslagsverket.fi/sv/sok/v...)
With this 2nd Finnish version of Viktor Rydberg's great poem I wish all the staff members, contributors and friends of this webpage a peaceful Christmas time and a happy new year 2020.
With this 3rd English version of Viktor Rydberg's great poem I wish all the staff members, contributors and friends of this webpage a peaceful Christmas and a decent new year 2022.
Mit dieser deutschen Version von Viktor Rydbergs großartigem Gedicht wünsche ich allen Mitarbeitern, Mitwirkenden und Freunden dieser Internetseite ein friedliches Weihnachtsfest und ein anständiges neues Jahr 2022.
Versi / En dikt av / A poem by / Poème de : Viktor Rydberg/in runo
Compositori / Kompositörer / Composers / Compositeurs / Säveltäjät :
Lyyli Wartiovaara-Kallioniemi (1907-1970)
Ulf Andersson
This beloved poem describing the mysterious peace and quiet of a winter night was originally published in Ny Illustrerad Tidning in 1881. The Swedish word »tomten« refers to a mythological creature from Nordic folklore today typically associated with the winter solstice and the Christmas season. It is generally described as being no taller than 90 cm, having a long white beard, and wearing a conical or knit cap in red or some other bright color.
According to tradition, it lives in the houses and barns of the farmstead, and secretly acts as their guardian. If treated well, it protects the family and animals from evil and misfortune, and may also aid the chores and farm work. However,... (Continues)