Midsommer Dance
Maurice Sommerfelt
(There is an English paraphrase of this song. A more literal translation is provided here by Donald Berg.)
Chorus:
I den lange, klare, skjonne sommernatt,
During the long, clear, beautiful summer night
mens skumringen sig senker over skog og kratt,
while the twilight settles over woods and bushes,
vil vi danse under stjernehimlens glans,
we will dance beneath (the) brilliance of the starry sky
mens spillemannen spiller opp en lystig dans.
while the fiddler plays a lively dance.
Chorus:
Rundt jeg svinger mig med min ven;
Round I swing with my friend;
lett vi svever over grønsvaeret hen,
lightly we float away over the greensward/turf;
om vi traller en munter sang
when we sing a cheerful song
ek koet svarer i fra skog og vang.
the echo replies from the woods and meadow.
Chorus:
Over traer fjernt og naer månen drysser
Over trees distant and near,
ned sitt bleke sølverskjaer.
the moon sheds it pale silver gleam.
Ved Sankt Hans uten stans
on St. Han’s (Day) without stopping,
du og jeg vil tra vår sommerdans.
you and I will step (out) our summer dance.
Chorus:
Vi med dans påvang og med spillog sang
With dancing on the meadow and with playing and singing
vil feire sommernattten lang.
we will celebrate the long summer night.