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Lífs við stjá
by Sigurbjörn K. Stefánsson
Recorded in Súðavíkurkirkja, Súðavík
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Sigurbjörn lived in Reykjavík most of his life, but he constantly thought of his childhood home in the north of Iceland. He wrote this song about how much he misses the beautiful nature there.
Played on a pump organ.
Vikivaki (sunnan yfir sæinn breiða)
by Valgeir Guðjónsson and Jóhannes úr Kötlum
Recorded in Súðavíkurkirkja, Súðavík
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Vikivaki is an ancient type of ring dance that has been practiced all over the Nordic countries from the Middle Ages to the present day. The word vikivaki is used either for the dance or the songs sung during the dance.
There is a repeating line throughout this song: „Vorið kemur, heimur hlýnar, hjarta mitt", which translates to "spring is coming, the world gets warmer, my love". Therefore, this song is a reminder that better days are coming.
Played on an Appalachian dulcimer.
Sofðu, unga ástin mín
by Jóhann Sigurjónsson
Recorded in Félagsheimilið, Bolungarvík
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This song is from the play "Fjalla-Eyvindur". Eyvindur is one of the most famous outlaws in Icelandic history. After being on the run, he and his wife, Halla, didn't want their child to slow them down, so Halla sings this to their child as she throws it into a waterfall.
This is the most popular lullaby in Iceland.
Sofðu, unga ástin mín
Recorded in Hólskirkja, Bolungarvík
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Here are the same lyrics with a new melody by Björgvin Guðmundsson.
Played on an Appalachian dulcimer.