A recent Xmas music favorite of mine (OK, “last decade or so” is recent, isn’t it? 😉 ) is the Danish/Norwegian hymn, “Mitt hjerte alltid vanker.” Both the tune and the lyrics speak to me.
Here’s a beautiful rendition by Sissel:
But I’m strongly drawn to Tine Thing Helseth’s instrumental version:
As translations of lyrics go, this is rather rough–sacrificing both a good wedding with the meter of the tune and rhyme scheme–but I think this captures the heart of the meaning about as well as it can. I like the twist Tine Thing Helseth’s album featuring this piece takes on the title though: “My Heart Is Always Present.”
Mitt hjerte alltid vanker – English translation/version
My heart will always wander
To where our Lord was born,
My thoughts will always go there
And take on their true form.
My longing does belong there,
With the treasure of my faith;
I never shall forget you,
O blessed Christmas night!Oh come, and I will open
My heart and my mind
And sigh with longing,
Enter, Jesus
For this home is Your own,
You bought it for yourself
So I will remain faithful,
With you here in my heartI’ll willingly spread branches
Of palms around your bed.
For you and you alone
I will gladly live and die.
Come, let my soul find joy
In this moment of delight:
To see you born right here,
Deep inside my loving heart.
The music has always spoken to my soul. Thank you for the words. It is now more special than ever.
Thank you
YW, Jack. This has become THE song that speaks “Christmas” to me. . . and I listen to it year round.
Can you publish the sheet music for this song, I also love it
I could, but it’s all over the web. here’s one simple piano transcription:
https://musescore.com/user/205831/scores/4820128
The lyrics (and various translations of different – some negligible – worth) are also widely available.