Happy Midsummer from Viking!

In honor of this weekend's celebration of Jonsok, or Sankt Hans Aften, here's a rendition of the Norwegian folk song "Sumarnatta (The Summer Night)," by Kelpie. I've long been a fan of the duo, comprised of Norwegian vocalist Kerstin Blodig and Scottish guitarist Ian Melrose, but today I discovered their version of this tune, which happens to be a favorite of mine. I think the Kelpie rendition conjures up a perfect midsummer mood.



If you aren't familiar with the song, here's a loose translation:

We won't sleep the summer night away,

It's too light for that.

Instead we'll wander together
under the leaf laden trees.



Then we'll wander together,

Through the flowery grass.

We won't sleep away the summer night

that curls our hair with dew.



We won't sleep away the scent of hay
and grasshoppers playing in the meadow
Instead we'll wander under pale blue sky
until the birds lift their wings.


Know that we are part of the earth,


of the wind and the white clouds,


and know that we'll be together


until the morning light.



Happy midsummer from the staff of Viking magazine!

Amy Boxrud is editor of Viking magazine. She lives with her family in Northfield, Minn., where she’s a member of Nordmarka 1-585.