A year ago, I published an earlier version of this essay. Since then I've revised significantly, so I'm going back to the well for Christmas 2021. Most of this reworked version also appears here. I am pleased to share a new English translation—or singable free paraphrase—of an iconic Danish hymn, Dejlig Er Jorden. It shares a … Continue reading A New Lyric for a Classic Christmas Song
translations
12 Songs for Christmas: Dejlig Er Jorden (Beautiful is the Earth)
I created not just one new song, as we've already discussed, but two new lyrics inspired by a Christmas concert by Harald Haugaard and Helene Blum. Both are rough translations—or loose paraphrases—that allow us to sing great Danish music in English. The second one is on deck today. It extends my recent train of thought … Continue reading 12 Songs for Christmas: Dejlig Er Jorden (Beautiful is the Earth)
12 Songs for Christmas: Staffansvisa
Let’s recall that we embarked on 12 days of Christmas songs, unranked, and on the second day I premiered my new English-language lyrics for a Swedish tune that I first heard earlier this month in a concert by Harald Haugaard and Helene Blum's band. Here it is again in a remarkably fine performance by students … Continue reading 12 Songs for Christmas: Staffansvisa
12 Songs for Christmas: “Every Star Shall Sing a Carol (new millennium peace version)”
Trigger warning! I am the sort of geek who actually cares about schisms among subtypes of subtypes of Calvinism in the 1800s (believe it or not, this was important for things like ending slavery and the future of US higher education) as well as which factions of the left have the best understanding of how … Continue reading 12 Songs for Christmas: “Every Star Shall Sing a Carol (new millennium peace version)”
12 Songs for Christmas: Christmas Party!
As I announced on Christmas Eve, I decided to start a "12 days of Christmas" music experiment on this blog. One song a day, with a few comments about some of them. Not ranked. Second up is a brand new song! I wish I had time to polish the recording and add a couple … Continue reading 12 Songs for Christmas: Christmas Party!
12 Songs for Christmas: Vökuró
Writing on Christmas Eve, I have decided to start a "12 days of Christmas" music experiment on this blog. One song a day, with a few comments on some of them. Not ranked. First up, in honor of the solstice that just passed, is what might be the most beautiful song I know: Björk’s … Continue reading 12 Songs for Christmas: Vökuró
MBE: Mark's blogging experiment 