Norwegian Christmas Song - Jeg Er Sa Glad
Jeg Er Saa glad was composed in 1859 by Peder Knudsen with lyrics by Marie Wexelsen. For me it is the pinnacle of Norwegian Christmas songs both because of it’s popularity and simplicity.
I remember very well as a young child in Seattle attending the Sons of Norway Sumnerslaget Christmas celebration. Hundreds of salty Norwegians would sing this song in chorus. What a beautiful sound that I quite took for granted.
Lyrics in English and Norwegian Posted Below
Jeg Er Sa Glad -Sheet Music.pdf
Jeg-er-sa-glad.mp3 - Melody Sample
This song is performed well by choirs from both St. Olaf and Pacific Lutheran University. You will find CD’s easily online if interested.
Imagine my utter shock to see these lyrics posted on a website under the general classification of “Scandinavian”. You should know that although us Norwegians are quiet, boring and stale - we are fiercely proud of our heritage. Do not count the Vikings out as they may emerge again for global domination. Norskes do not consider “Swedish” and “Danish” as a complete trilogy of our heritage as many assume. We are our own people - thick headed, muleish and the bravest of the brave.
You should also know that although Ballard, WA (largely Norwegian population) is a suburb of Seattle, very few Norskes will admit this fact. Norskes refer to Seattle as a suburb of Ballard.
PERFORMANCE
Jeg Er Sa Glad is usually written in 3/4 or 6/8 time, but has a gentle lilt that suggests 6/8. Think of falling snow, gently swishing your skis down the slope side to side - and you will have the correct feel for this traditional Norwegian Christmas song.
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NORWEGIAN LYRICS
Jeg er så glad hver julekveld,
for da ble Jesus født,
da lyste stjernen som en sol,
og engler sang så søtt.
Det lille barn i Betlehem,
han var en konge stor
som kom fra himlens høye slott
ned til vår arme jord.
Nå bor han høyt i himmerik,
han er Guds egen Sønn,
men husker alltis på de små
og hører deres bønn.
Jeg er så glad hver julekveld,
da synger vi hans pris:
da åpner han for alle små
sitt søte paradis.
Da tenner moder alle lys,
så ingen krok er mørk;
hun sier stjernen lyste så
i hele verdens ørk.
Hun sier at den lyser enn
og slukkes aldri ut,
og hvis den skinner på min vei,
da kommer jeg til Gud.
Jeg holder av vår julekveld
og av den herre Krist
og at han elsker meg igjen,
det vet jeg ganske visst.
ENGLISH LYRICS TRANSLATION
1. I am so glad each Christmas Eve,
The night of Jesus’ birth!
Then like the sun the Star shone forth,1
And angels sang on earth.
2. The little Child in Bethlehem,
He was a King indeed!
For He came down from heaven above
To help a world in need.
3. He dwells again in heaven’s realm,
The Son of God today;
And still He loves His little ones
And hears them when they pray.
4. I am so glad on Christmas Eve!
His praises then I sing;
He opens then for every child
The palace of the King.2
5. When mother trims the Christmas tree
Which fills the room with light,
She tells me of the wondrous Star
That made the dark world bright.
6. She says the Star is shining still,
And never will grow dim;
And if it shines upon my way,
It leads me up to Him.
7. And so I love each Christmas Eve
And I love Jesus, too;
And that He loves me every day
I know so well is true.
Words: “Jeg Er Saa Glad Hver Julekveld,” Marie Wexelsen, 1859; translated from Norwegian to English by Peter Andrew Sveeggen (1881-1959). Wexelsen (1832-1911) published three children’s books, among them Ketil, en Julegave for De Smaa (”Ketil, a Christmas Gift for Little Ones”), where this Christmas carol introduced a longer story. At that time she entitled it “The Child’s Christmas Carol.”
Music: “Jeg Er Saa glad” (”Christmas Eve”), Peder Knudsen (1819-1863), 1859
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December 23rd, 2006 at 5:43 pm
I am a great-nephew of the translator of “Jeg er saa glad hver Julekveld/I am so glad each Christmas Eve” Professor Peder Andrew Sveeggen, for 37 years, the Chair of the English dept. at Augsburg College, Minneapolis, was the oldest brother of my maternal grandfather. My mother was his niece. PA’s translation work was not limited to this “Christmas Eve song,” he also translated a number of other pieces that have appeared in hymnbooks in America, including the Concordia Hymnal, the Lutheran Hymnary, and a couple of other songs in addition, to finding this one listed as Hymn # 69, in the LBW/Lutheran Book of Worship. Professor PA Sveeggen taught English & homiletics at Augsburg in addition to classes in Shakespeare, and poetry. I’ve personally known Lutheran pastors who had him as their instructor and also myself, had a piano teacher, who had been his student. I found it interesting how limited to Lutheran churches of Norwegian descent, the familiarity of this Christmas song is. However, it tends to be very popular among those famiiar with it. It is making it’s way into other denominations, for which, I am personally grateful, as it would be nice for other Christians to enjoy and be blessed by it’s deep and rich meaning. It not only is a Christmas song for the church, it also has an folk song element to it, and additional versus may be created, just as they have been in past Norwegian culture. It is matched with a beautiful melody, with 9 7 9 7, poetic metre. My preferred time signature of the music is either 3/4 or 6/8. At the approximate time of it’s translation, likely between 1926 and 1930, controversy stirred Norwegian Lutheran congregations, as to changing over to the English language in their worship services. I’m not so sure, that the translator’s efforts might have been quite as popular among traditionalists in the Lutheran churches, that were populated with Norwegians in his generation. I also lived across the street, in my childhood, from what was known as a Norwegian Bedehuse, Prayerhouse, or House of Prayer. Juletre Fest was commonly held there close to Christmastime in the 1950’s, 60’s and maybe into the 70’s, this song then, was the theme as it was common in Norwegian culture to decorate the tree, and upon completion, hold hands in a circle, while moving about, and around the tree, while singing “Jeg er saa glad hver Julekveld, and other Christmas songs.
– BlesSINGS!! Daniel C Johnson, Luverne, MN 56156
December 23rd, 2006 at 6:56 pm
Thank you so much for the detailed info. It is my Mother and I’s favorite song. A couple weeks ago I gave a short presentation at church where we presented three different arrangements of the piece. I love this song!
December 24th, 2006 at 3:35 pm
My favorite child hood song.
Kaare Bye
December 24th, 2006 at 4:47 pm
Does anyone have a word-for-word translation?
June 19th, 2007 at 12:37 pm
This was always sang at the funerals of my Norwegian relatives but I never knew the words. The last of that generation died last week and I am so glad to have the translation and music. I will pass it on to my children as I have done with other Norwegian customs.
November 20th, 2007 at 10:07 pm
Tusen takk for making this song, lyrics and sheet music available!
I grew up in Norway but am now raising a young family in Canada with an English speaking husband.
It is difficult to keep the culture and language alive in my children, but they both love singing and hearing about julenissen and Norwegian Christmas traditions. We celebrate our Christmas in Norwegian manner on the 24th and dance around our tree.
This year I hope to teach my daughter to play “Jeg er så glad hver julekveld” and “O Jul med din glede” on the piano.
God jul!
December 26th, 2007 at 7:40 pm
My thanks as well for the posting of the lyrics and music for this song. I learned this song from my grandmother as she often sang it for my cousins and me when we were with them at Christmas in the early 1950s. She always sang it in Norwegian and though I know absolutely no Norwegian, I can still remember this clearly.
I would also like to thank Mr. Johnson for his posting. I know that more than a few of my relatives (including my mother) had “Pa” Sveeggen as an instructor at Augsburg (she was not aware that he had translated the song, but loves the idea since she liked him very much).
August 9th, 2008 at 5:29 am
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In Jesus name
Suzina Abida
Pakistan