Eg er framand [Norwegian folk song]

Eg er framand ("I am a stranger") is a Norwegian folk song about the longing for the City of God (a Christian idea going back to St. Augustine).
Performed by Norwegian folk singer and violinist Arve Moen Bergset.
The accompanying painting was made by the Norwegian artist Theodor Kittelsen (1857-1914). It is based on an old fairy tale, about the boy Halvor searching for Soria Moria Castle. Since Soria Moria Castle is considered to be a symbol of perfect happiness, I thought it might also be compared to the City of God.

LYRICS

Eg er framand, eg er ein pilgrim,
Berr’ ei kveldstund, berr’ ei kveldstund er eg her.
Steng ikkje vegen, for eg vil fylgja
Guds folk til strid over berg og bylgja!
Eg er framand, eg er ein pilgrim,
Berr’ ei kveldstund, berr’ ei kveldstund er eg her.

Jorda eig ei den ro eg søkjer,
Nei, eg lengtar, nei, eg lengtar til Guds stad.
Der sluttar sorga, der tørkast tåra,
Der ingen meir blir lagt død på båra.
Jorda eig ei den ro eg søkjer,
Nei, eg lengtar, nei, eg lengtar til Guds stad.

Kjære Herre, om eitt eg ber deg:
Fylg og lei meg, fylg og lei meg alltid du!
Ved himmelstranda der vil eg hamna,
Eg heim vil koma og deg vil famna.
Kjære Herre, om eitt eg ber deg:
Fylg og lei meg, fylg og lei meg alltid du!

[raaf]

This is the first video on this channel with lyrics and English translation. I hope you all enjoy it!
As many of you can probably tell, the ‘style’ of this video is heavily based on that of German YouTuber Dr. Ludwig. He has been a great inspiration to me in starting this channel, so (if you haven’t already) please check out his channel.

[eckpolmick]

Arve Moen Bergset is a master singer in traditional style (kvedar) and fiddler.