Finlandia
This piece was composed by Jean Sibelius in 1899-1900 and some of you may have heard of it before. Many different versions of lyrics were put into the melody and they become very meaningful songs.
If you just want to hear the choir just fast forward to 05:26. And check out the actual size of the choir!
What made me think should be the first version is actually Finland's 2nd national anthem, though many insist that it's the first. The reason why they couldn't make it their national anthem is because sooooo many different versions of it have appeared and it's so hard to eradicate it.
I think that's fine, because the lyrics are really beautiful. They talk about the world, they talk about peace, they talk about homes. Such selflessness in the lyrics.
1. Finlandia (literal translation, so may not be close to the melody)
Finland, behold, thy daylight now is dawning,
the threat of night has now been driven away.
The skylark calls across the light of morning,
the blue of heaven lets it have its way,
and now the day the powers of night is scorning:
thy daylight dawns, O Finland of ours!
Finland, arise, and raise towards the highest
thy head now crowned with mighty memory.
Finland, arise, for to the world thou criest
that thou hast thrown off thy slavery,
beneath oppression´s yoke thou never liest.
Thy morning´s come, O Finland of ours!
2. This is written in 1934
This is my song, Oh God of all the nations,
A song of peace for lands afar and mine.
This is my home, the country where my heart is;
Here are my hopes, my dreams, my sacred shrine.
But other hearts in other lands are beating,
With hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.
My country's skies are bluer than the ocean,
And sunlight beams on cloverleaf and pine.
But other lands have sunlight too and clover,
And skies are everywhere as blue as mine.
Oh hear my song, oh God of all the nations,
A song of peace for their land and for mine.
3. Another verse
When nations rage, and fears erupt coercive,
The drumbeats sound, invoking pious cause.
My neighbors rise, their stalwart hearts they offer,
The gavels drop, suspending rights and laws.
While others wield their swords with blind devotion;
For peace I'll stand, my true and steadfast cause.
4. And another
May truth and freedom come to every nation;
May peace abound where strife has raged so long;
That each may seek to love and build together,
A world united, righting every wrong;
A world united in its love for freedom,
Proclaiming peace together in one song.
Psst. NUSWS is going to play Finlandia at InTempo 2008, on the 15th of this month! Come come! =D
If you just want to hear the choir just fast forward to 05:26. And check out the actual size of the choir!
What made me think should be the first version is actually Finland's 2nd national anthem, though many insist that it's the first. The reason why they couldn't make it their national anthem is because sooooo many different versions of it have appeared and it's so hard to eradicate it.
I think that's fine, because the lyrics are really beautiful. They talk about the world, they talk about peace, they talk about homes. Such selflessness in the lyrics.
1. Finlandia (literal translation, so may not be close to the melody)
Finland, behold, thy daylight now is dawning,
the threat of night has now been driven away.
The skylark calls across the light of morning,
the blue of heaven lets it have its way,
and now the day the powers of night is scorning:
thy daylight dawns, O Finland of ours!
Finland, arise, and raise towards the highest
thy head now crowned with mighty memory.
Finland, arise, for to the world thou criest
that thou hast thrown off thy slavery,
beneath oppression´s yoke thou never liest.
Thy morning´s come, O Finland of ours!
2. This is written in 1934
This is my song, Oh God of all the nations,
A song of peace for lands afar and mine.
This is my home, the country where my heart is;
Here are my hopes, my dreams, my sacred shrine.
But other hearts in other lands are beating,
With hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.
My country's skies are bluer than the ocean,
And sunlight beams on cloverleaf and pine.
But other lands have sunlight too and clover,
And skies are everywhere as blue as mine.
Oh hear my song, oh God of all the nations,
A song of peace for their land and for mine.
3. Another verse
When nations rage, and fears erupt coercive,
The drumbeats sound, invoking pious cause.
My neighbors rise, their stalwart hearts they offer,
The gavels drop, suspending rights and laws.
While others wield their swords with blind devotion;
For peace I'll stand, my true and steadfast cause.
4. And another
May truth and freedom come to every nation;
May peace abound where strife has raged so long;
That each may seek to love and build together,
A world united, righting every wrong;
A world united in its love for freedom,
Proclaiming peace together in one song.
Psst. NUSWS is going to play Finlandia at InTempo 2008, on the 15th of this month! Come come! =D
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