Hans Christian Andersen: 'Sang i Skoven' (1845)

 

Sang i Skoven (1845)

 

Afsjunget ved Studenter-Sangforeningen.

 

Her under Skovens grønne Tag

Vi samles ungdomsglade,

Vi plukke vil en Sommerdag

For Hjertets Minde-Blade.

Vi Solskin har i vort humeur,

Og Lystigheden aldrig døer,

Der hvor Studenten kommer.

 

Vi synge fra det grønne Blad

I en harmonisk klynge,

Om Aar saa er vi skilte ad,

Men nye Slægter synge.

Vi er´ som Skov og Melodi,

Et Løv, der er Afvexling i,

Men Stammen staaer og bliver.

 

Éen vorder Bibelsprogets Tolk,

Derovre midt i Lyngen;

En Anden sprætter døde Folk,

Og der forgaaer al Syngen.

Éen bliver Byens Politi,

Dog gamle Sanges Melodi,

Vil tidt for Øret klinge!

 

Vi huske, vi paa Snekken foer,

Os bar de blanke Vover,

Forneden de, men Sangens Chor

Og Himlen ovenover,

Vi huske Videts Bølge-Slag,

Vi huske denne Skovturs Dag

Vor sang, vort Venskab! — hurra!

 

 

Song in the Wood (1845)

 

Sung at the Student Choral Association Outing

 

Here ’neath the wood’s green canopy

We meet with youthful laughter,

A summer day will pick for free,

For heart’s recall hereafter.

Our sun-warmed spirits are most high,

A cheerfulness that ne’er will die

Wherever students gather.

 

We sing a green leaf from this tome

In our harmonious choir,

Ere long we’re scattered, new folk come

Who share the same desire.

We are like woods and melody,

Whose leaves and notes change constantly,

Whose trunk though is deep rooted.

 

One will interpret Holy Writ,

Far west where heather’s growing;

A second cut up corpses, which

All singing is foreclosing.

A third perhaps a policeman be –

But all the old songs’ melodies,

Will through their minds still wander!

 

We will recall our time on board

Our boat, the waves beneath us,

The songs the choir sang, every chord,

And skies above to please us,

Recall the sound of waves at play,

This woodland trip, this perfect day,

Our songs, our friendship! – Hurrah!