Thursday, April 27

Den Stjärna-Spangled Baner

People are upset over Adam Kidron's Spanish-language version of the Star Spangled Banner. The reason they're upset is that they're insecure in their national identity. Relax. Enjoy.

My grandfather was an immigrant from Sweden. So, I figure that we probably need a Swedish version, too. I've taken the initiative to bring to the World Wide Web an authorized translation. Of course, my language skills are about equivalent to every third generation Swedish-American -- so I've relied on an online translator -- which means that you might want to double check a few phrases before singing it in public at a hockey game. Regardless, it is a lot more singable than the English version. Go to it! (If you don't know Swedish just think of the Swedish baker on Sesame Street the Muppet Show.)

O säga, kanna du se, vid den gryning tidigt ljus,
Vad så stolt vi hälsa på den skymning sist glimt?
Vilkens bred rand och klar stjärna,
strupe den farlig slagsmål,
O'er den ramparts vi se, var så tapper ström?
Och den raketen röd bländande ljus,
den bomb sprängningen i luft,
Gav bevis strupe natten så pass vår flagga var stilla där.
O säga, gör så pass stjärna-spangled baner ändå våg
O'er jorden om fri och hemmet om trotsa?

2 comments:

Sean Meade said...

that's 'the Swedish Chef' on 'the Muppet Show', Brad ;-)

Brad Boydston said...

I do think you're right about that. Tack!