Can anyone help with the lyrics to this pretty Norwegian lullaby? Byssan lull liten tull (Folkesang) If you can help with the original lyrics and/or an English translation, please let us know in the comments below. Thanks in advance! Mama Lisa

Rida, Rida Ranka is a rhyme and song known to many in Scandinavia and to the families of Scandinavian immigrants in the US. Lance N. Peterson wrote to me of its significance to his family. (I added links below to the versions of Rida, rida ranka he talks about.) Dear Lisa: Words are what we...

Karin wrote: I was named after a song, “Lille Karin” and I can’t find it anywhere. Can you help? The song is definitely Norwegian. I think it’s a child’s song. I cannot sing (properly) in Norwegian but the first line sounds like this:- “Var har du varet du lille Karin, du ar so…?...

Rachel wrote asking about a childhood rhyme… Hello, My Norwegian Grandfather – passed away 30 years ago – used to put me on his knee and do something like: Bunka Bunka Roona, Smacka Smacka Doona, Kahoong and Kahoong & Set the Butchin up! How Many? At the end, he’d put so many of his fingers on my back and I had...

Rachel wrote… Hi there Lisa, I was hoping you (or someone on your site) could help me. I’ve been trying to find the translation and/or the rest of the lyrics to a Norwegian lullaby my Grandpa used to sing to me. Pardon the lack of correct spelling, but it sounds like: Be a lulla barna Papa nesta garna Mama...

Tyler wrote: My grandmother used to sing us kids a song all the time. I never knew the name of it or the entire song. Here is what I remember… Row row da fiska shad munga fisk and a drov e ded entel far entel mor entel suster and entel brod…? Sorry I don’t have any idea...

David Russett wrote: I’m trying to find the words to a Norwegian rhyme or song. The only part I know goes something like: Kan du gleme gammel Norge? O vey! Ya, ya, gleme kan! Or it may be: Kan du huske gammel Norge? Ove! Ya, Ya, huske kan! Does anyone know the rest of this little rhyme? Some of the old Norwegians...

Here are lyrics to the Norwegian Birthday song “Hurra for deg som fyller ditt år!” (Hurray for You for Celebrating Your Birthday). It’s a birthday song written by Margrethe Aabel Munthe (1860 – 1931): Hurra for deg som fyller ditt år! (Norwegian) Hurra for deg som fyller ditt år! Ja, deg vil vi gratulere! Alle i ring omkring deg...

Janice wrote: My grandmother used to sing me a Norwegian song that sounded like this: Kishey louie barnay Glueten stewie yarnay I remember that it meant “Rock-a-bye my baby, put her in the kettle”, but of course my mom says that’s not true! Do you have any idea what the song was or what the translation would be? Thanks, Janice If anyone can...

Jeanette wrote me… Good Evening; My husband’s Grandmother was from Norway and she used to sing a song to him as a little boy about a poor man’s horse, a rich man’s horse, a soldier’s horse etc. My children and Grandchildren only remember the chorus – and only phonetically as they remember my husband (who is...

Ed wrote: Lisa, I sing in a choral club which is sponsored by Travelers Insurance, in Hartford, Connecticut. It is the oldest company sponsored choral club in the country. This Christmas we are doing a piece called Christmas Bells, which is a Norwegian Folk Carol. I am wondering if you posted the lyrics and...

Clay wrote: Hi: My name is Clay and I live in Canada. My grandfather decended from Norway. He taught my mother a song when she was little and we are trying to find the lyrics to the whole song. All I know is jeg ere sa glad til yewl kevll. I don’t know how to...

While I have this link at hand, I’d like to recommend www.freedict.com. It’s a site devoted to free online language dictionaries. You can translate between English and the following languages: Afrikaans Danish Dutch Finnish French Hungarian Indonesian Italian Japanese Latin Norwegian Portuguese Russian Spanish Swahili Swedish I find that it can usually succeed at translating the words I need. Feel free to recommend other language dictionaries that you like in the...

Julie and Beth wrote looking for the origins of two Scandinavian rhymes that are played with little kids while touching their toes. We’re wondering if anyone’s ever heard of these rhymes and perhaps knows what country they’re from and/or anything else about their origins. Here’s what Julie wrote: I have been searching for the...

Jennifer wrote… My mom’s Norwegian father taught her two little ditties and I would love to know if we have them correct and what the correct spelling is. I’m going to spell phonetically… Comin a man Loppin a stoppin Ca-sis ta-baggin ta-bick-en ta-boose (tickle, tickle) and Panabene (point to forehead) Oyestene (point...

I received this email today about Rita Rita Runkin… I too am looking for the correct spelling and words for Rita Rita Runkin in Norwegian. I understand it to read this way in English… Ride Ride the Runkin horse To the millers house…. I don’t know the next lines except that it is about a kittapus (cat)...

Martine was nice enough to write me, sending the words to Humpty Dumpty in English and Norwegian for everyone who’s interested… Humpty Dumpty (English) Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall. Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. All the king’s horses And all the king’s men, Couldn’t put Humpty together again. Lille Trille (Norwegian) Lille Trille satt på hylle. Lille Trille ramlet ned. Ingen mann i dette land Lille Trille bøte...

St. Knut’s Day is a holiday celebrated in Sweden, Finland and Norway, on January 13th. The day is called Tjugondag Knut in Sweden, which means 20th day Knut. In Norway it’s called Tyvendedagen, which I believe, is 20th day. On St. Knut’s Day, they say they “plunder” the Christmas tree. If...