Oleanna (song)

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Oleanna is a Norwegian folk song which was translated into English and popularized in the United States by former Weavers member Pete Seeger.

The song is a critique of Ole Bull's vision of a perfect society in America. Oleanna is actually the name of one of Ole Bull's communities in his colony New Norway. His society failed, and all the immigrants moved to other areas, because the dense forest made it hard to settle. The lyrics concern the singer's desire to leave Norway, and escape to Oleanna, a land where "wheat and corn just plant themselves / Then grow a good four feet a day / While on your bed you rest yourself". Compare the song to "Big Rock Candy Mountain".


Contents

[edit] Oleanna in English

The Norwegian lyrics for Oleanna were written in 1853 by Ditmar Meidell, a newspaper editor in Norway. Theodore C. Blegen included the song in his 1936 book Norwegian Emigrant Songs and Ballads, which had the original lyrics, a literal translation by Martin B. Ruud and musical notation. Eight years later Blegen himself wrote a singable translation consisting of 22 verses. (Verses 1 and 22 were identical.)


Folksinger Pete Seeger learned Oleanna from Blegen's book and based his six verse translation on the one written by Ruud. (Verses 1 and 6 were identical.) Seeger recorded Oleanna for Folkways Records in 1955: Folk Songs of Four Continents and 1956: With Voices Together We Sing.


In 1960 Theodore Bikel and Alan Lomax each published versions of Oleanna that drew on Seeger's translation, Ditmar Meidell's original lyrics and their own imaginations. Jerry Silverman translated 19 of the 22 verses in 1992.


Folksongs and Footnotes by Theodore Bikel, Meridian Books, 1960.
Folk Songs of North America by Alan Lomax, Doubleday, 1960.
Immigrant Songbook by Jerry Silverman, Mel Bay Publications, 1992.


Theodore Bikel recorded Oleanna for his 1959 album Folk Songs From Just About Everywhere on the Elektra label.

In 1959 The Kingston Trio included Oleanna on their chart-topping album Here We Go Again. Their version of the song had new lyrics which had nothing to do with Meidell's original text.


[edit] Lyrics

[edit] Original Norwegian

I Oleana der er det godt at være,
i Norge vil jeg inte Slavelænken bære!

Ole-Ole-Ole oh! Oleana!
Ole-Ole-Ole oh! Oleana!

I Oleana der faar jeg Jord for Intet,
af Jorden voxer Kornet, — og det gaar gesvint det.

Aa Kornet det tærsker sig selv oppaa Laaven,
imens ligger jeg aa hviler mig i Koven.

Hej Markedsgang! Poteterne skulde Du se, Du.
Der brændes mindst en Pot af hvereneste en Du.

Ja Bayerøl saa godt, som han Ytteborg kan brygge,
det risler i Bækkene til Fattigmandens Hygge.

Aa Laxene dem springer saa lystig i Bække,
dem hopper selv i Gry den aa roper: dem ska' dække!

Åa brunstegte Griser de løber om saa flinke
åa forespør sig høfligt, om Nogen vil ha' Skinke.

Aa Kjørene dem melker aa kjærner aa yster
liksaa naturlig som Else, mi Syster.

Åa Storstuten sjelve staar inte og hænger,
han banker sine Kalve, fordi de gaar og slænger.

Aa Kalvene de slagter sig hurtig og flåar sig
aa stejker sig fortere end man tar en Taar sig!

Aa Høna værper Æg saa svære som Stabur,
mens Hanen angir Tiden som et ottedags Slaguhr.

Fra Skyerne det regner med Kolerakaker.
Aa Gubevare Dere vel for dejlige Saker!

Aa Sola hu skinner saa trufast hele Natta
saa atte man kan se i Mørke liksom Katta!

Aa Maanen hver Aften er fuld — det er sikkert.
Jeg ligger just aa ser paa'n med Flaska tel Kjikkert.

Ja to Daler Dagen det faar Du for at svire,
aa er Du rektig doven, saa kanske Du faar fire.

Åa Kjærringa og Unger dem falder paa Kommynen.
Betaler dem ikke, såa faar dem paa Trynen!

Kronarbejde findes ej — nej det var saa ligt da!
jeg såd nok ikke ellersen saa frisk her aa digta.

Vi gaar i Fløjelsklæder besat med Sølverknapper,
Aa ryker af Merskum, som Kjærringa stapper.

Aa Kjærringa maa brase aa styre aa stelle —
aa blir hu sint, saa banker hu sig sjelv — skal jeg fortælle.

Aa Fiolin det speller vi Allesammen — hejsan!
Aa Danser en Polskdans, aa den er'nte lejsan.

Ja rejs til Oleana, saa skal Du vel leve,
den fattigste Stymper herover er Greve!

I Oleana langt heller vil jeg være,
end længer i Norg min Slavelænke bære!

Ole-Ole-Ole oh! Oleana!
Ole-Ole-Ole oh! Oleana!

Text: Ditmar Meidell


[edit] External links

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