Glad St, Luciadagen!

About 8 years ago, I learned of my Swedish heritage, and recent events (and new friends) have inspired me to learn about said heritage.

According to legend, St. Lucia was an early-4th-century virgin martyr under the Diocletianic Persecution who brought food and aid to Christians hiding in the Roman catacombs. She wore a candle-lit wreath on her head to light her way and to leave her hands free to carry as much food as possible.

 

Natten går tunga fjät

rund gård och stuva;

kring jord, som sol förlät,

skuggorna ruva.

Då i vårt mörka hus,

stiger med tända ljus,

Sankta Lucia, Sankta Lucia.

 

Natten går stor och stum

nu hörs dess vingar

i alla tysta rum

sus som av vingar.

Se, på vår tröskel står

vitklädd med ljus i hår

Sankta Lucia, Sankta Lucia.

 

Mörkret ska flykta snart

ur jordens dalar

så hon ett underbart

ord till oss talar.

Dagen ska åter ny

stiga ur rosig sky

Sankta Lucia, Sankta Lucia.

 

(Engelska)

Night walks with a heavy step

Round yard and hearth,

As the sun departs from earth,

Shadows are brooding.

There in our dark house,

Walking with lit candles,

Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia!

 

Night walks grand, yet silent,

Now hear its gentle wings,

In every room so hushed,

Whispering like wings.

Look, at our threshold stands,

White-clad with light in her hair,

Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia!

 

Darkness shall take flight soon,

From earth’s valleys.

So she speaks a

Wonderful Word to us:

A new day will rise again

From the rosy sky…

Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia!

Done