“Ja, vi elsker dette landet” (In English: “Yes, we love this country”) is the national anthem of Norway. It is commonly referred to as just “Ja, vi elsker” (“Yes, we love”). The lyrics were written by Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson between 1859 and 1868, and the melody was written by his cousin Rikard Nordraak in 1864. It was first performed publicly on 17 May 1864 in connection with the 50th anniversary of the constitution. Usually only the first and the last two verses are sung.
Norway National Anthem Lyrics
Ja, Vi Elsker Dette Landet
(Yes, We Love This Land)
Original Norwegian Words
Ja, vi elsker dette landet,
som det stiger frem,
furet, værbitt, over vannet,
med de tusen hjem.
Elsker, elsker det og tenker
på vår far og mor
og den saganatt som senker
drømmer på vår jord.
og den saganatt som senker,
senker drømmer på vår jord.
Norske mann I hus og hytte,
takk din store Gud!
Landet ville han beskytte
skjønt det mørkt så ut.
Alt hva fedrene har kjempet,
mødrene har grett,
har den Herre stille lempet,
så vi vant vår rett.
har den Herre stille lempet,
så vi vant, vi vant vår rett.
Ja, vi elsker dette landet,
som det stiger frem,
furet, værbitt, over vannet,
med de tusen hjem.
og som fedres kamp har hevet
det av nød til seir,
også vi, nar det blir krevet,
for dets fred slår leir,
også vi, nar det blir krevet,
for dets fred, dets fred slår leir!
Norwegian Anthem English Translation:
Yes, we love with fond devotion
This our land that looms
Rugged, storm-scared o’er the ocean,
With her thousand homes.
Love her, in our love recalling
Those who gave us birth.
And old tales which night, in falling
Bring as dreams to earth.
And old tales which night, in falling
Bring as dreams, as dreams to earth.
Norse man, whatsoe’er thy station,
Thank thy God, Whose power
Willed and wrought the land’s salvation
In her darkest hour.
All our mothers sought with weeping
And our sires in fight,
God has fashioned, in His keeping
Till we gained our right.
God has fashioned, in His keeping
Till we gained, we gained our right.
Yes, we love with fond devotion
This our land that looms
Rugged, storm-scared o’er the ocean,
With her thousand homes.
And, as warrior sires have made her
Wealth and fame increase,
At the call we too will aid her,
Armed to guard her peace.
At the call we too will aid her,
Armed to guard, to guard her peace.