(TREASURED SONGS – A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE)
ARTISTS: Elin Brimheim Heinesen & Ad Libitum
RELEASE DATE: Monday, July 12th, 2010
This album was released to honour the memory of Elin’s mother, Maud Heinesen, and her mother’s brother, Svenn Brimheim, who both died of cancer. Elin’s mother died in 2005 and her uncle died in 2006. The album got the title: “Yndisløg – Ein ferð aftur í farnar tíðir” (in English: Treasured Songs – A Trip Down Memory Lane), because it contains Elin’s uncle’s and mother’s favorite songs, most of them evergreens from the sixties, and most of them translated to Faroese by Elin and a couple by other people. The album’s live recorded acoustic music oozes nostalgia, romance, pensiveness, a will to live and love for the human kind.
LISTEN TO THE ALBUM HERE:
OBS! Scroll down to read the lyrics while listening to the album.
ALBUM COVER:
HOW THE ALBUM CAME ABOUT
Elin became a mother in 1990, and for a long time she had a busy career in Denmark in culture administration, marketing and journalism – so she hadn’t the time to pursue a musical career also. So for almost 20 years Elin did not appear much in public as a musician. But Elin made kind of a come back in the summer of 2010, when she released an album together with the acoustic band Ad Libitum.
Elin’s uncle Svenn Brimheim, who was a skilful guitarist, well-known in the Faroe Islands, was a member of the band Ad Libitum, which was a very popular easy listening/folk band on the Faroe Islands, mostly playing classical evergreens.
In the late summer of 2005 Elin decided to ask Svenn, if he was willing to record some songs together with her. In Elin’s younger years the two of them played many concerts together, especially in the 1970’s and not least at family parties, birthdays, weddings and so on. But there were no recordings with them playing together. So when Elin found out that Svenn had cancer, which very likely was terminal, it prompted her to ask him to make these recordings with her, now that she knew this was probably the last chance to do it.
Elin and her uncle, Svenn Brimheim, in the late 1970’s:
They managed to record eight songs together with Svenn’s band, Ad Libitum. Elin had to travel back to Denmark, where she worked at the time, so they planned to record a number of other songs later for the album, they wanted to release in 2006. But unfortunately, Svenn got very ill all of a sudden and died in the spring of 2006, before they could make the rest of the recordings. Later Elin went into the studio with the rest of the band to record the seven remaining song.
So to add up, eight of the songs were recorded live in a studio at the Faroese public radio station in September 2005 with Svenn and Ad Libitum. The remaining seven tracks were recorded with the same band – but without Svenn – in January 2007. All the tracks were recorded as live sessions in the studio. while backing vocals were added later.
The release date was postponed for a long time because it was problematic getting the final rights to publish some of the songs in Faroese. After having waited for three long years to get all the copyright issues in place, Elin Brimheim Heinesen & Ad Libitum were, finally, able to release their album in the summer 2010, more exact on July 12, 2010.
The album contains Elin’s uncle’s and mother’s favorite songs, most of them evergreens from the sixties, and most of them translated to Faroese by Elin and a couple by other people. The album’s live recorded acoustic music oozes nostalgia, romance, pensiveness, a will to live and love for the human kind.
The album sold 1,300 copies, which is quite a lot for a small country of only 50,000 people, in a time were many people don’t own a CD-player any longer.
IN HONOUR OF ELIN’S MOTHER AND UNCLE AND THE CANCER ASSOCIATION
The CD is dedicated to the memory of the siblings Maud Heinesen, Elin’s mother, and Svenn Brimheim, Elin’s uncle, who both died of cancer – Maud in 2005 and Svenn in 2006. The purpose is to honour all victims of this terrible desease. The CD is also a tribute to the past – to the time, when these people were young and healthy – and to the splendid music they gave to our generation.
Elin’s mother, Maud Heinesen:
The songs on the CD are primarily Maud’s And Svenn’s most treasured songs. While they struggled to beat the decease and the whole family gathered to comfort each other, Elin often sang these songs, while Svenn played guitar. One day Elin’s mother said that she thought it was a little strange that nobody had translated these fine evergreens to Faroese before. This remark gave Elin the idea to translate the songs into Faroese.
Text on the album cover:
“In 2004, my mother, Maud Heinesen, and her brother, my uncle Svenn Brimheim, were both diagnosed with incurable cancer. My mother had cancer of the lung and Svenn had melanoma skin cancer. So we, the family, could do little more than seek comfort in each other in these hard times. I worked in Denmark at the time, but I tried to come home as often as I could and stay as long as possible. In May, 2005, my mother was paralysed from the chest down and was bed bound after that. I spent much of this period by her bed, singing songs from her youth that I knew she loved. These songs formed an important part of my upbringing as a little girl in the 60s. We agreed that it was strange to see that such great songs had never been translated to Faroese. So I decided to translate or rewrite some of them.
Svenn, who was relatively well at the time, also visited my mother a lot. Sometimes he would bring his guitar and I would sing, just like we used to do when the family gathered together in the past. And then the idea struck me: why don’t Svenn and I record these songs together? We had been talking about recording music together for at least 25 years – without ever doing it – so why not do it now before it was too late? Svenn agreed, and he added a few of his personal favourites to the repertoire. The thought of making a CD didn’t really occur to us – simply recording the songs was the most important thing to us. Both Svenn and I have been working for the Faroese national radio in the past, so I went to them and asked for permission to use their studios. They kindly offered us free use of their studio for two nights.
Unfortunately, my mother didn’t live to hear these recordings – she died on 7 September, 2005. This made me realise even more how important it was to record these songs. Two weeks later, we went into the studios to record.
The first evening when I went to pick up Svenn, he was rehearsing with his band, Ad Libitum, a band with two mandolins, two guitars and a double bass. I went in to meet them. They were playing the song Nánd when I entered and I started singing with them spontaneously. We looked at each other and I think both parties agreed this was a good combination, so I asked them if they would like to join me and Svenn in the studio, hoping that something would come out of it – and it did: the following evening we had recorded eight songs, four of which with all the Ad Libitum members. The songs were recorded live and without any previous rehearsals, but afterwards we agreed that perhaps the recordings were still good enough to release on a CD.
However, eight songs are not enough for a full CD, so we decided to record seven other songs at a later date. I had to return to Denmark where I worked as a magazine editor, but I promised to come back to record the remaining songs. This was a time when Svenn travelled a lot to Denmark for treatment. He used to stay at my place while in Denmark and we rehearsed the seven remaining songs. We decided that I should come back home to the Faroe Islands at Easter, 2006, to record these seven songs. Shortly before Easter, however, Svenn’s condition deteriorated fast. I went home but only a few days later, Svenn died.
I know how sad he was about not being able to complete this project. Two days before he died, I promised him to complete the CD together with Ad Libitum and he was very happy to hear that. We managed to keep our promise and I recorded the seven songs with the remaining Ad Libitum members in January, 2007. You’re holding the result in your hands right now.
I have chosen the title Yndisløg – Treasured Songs – because these are songs that I grew up with and which my family loved so much – especially my mother and Svenn. I hope these songs will become favourites for others too, so that they will support this release. If there will be any profits, the Faroese Cancer Association will receive a donation of every sold copy.
I would like to dedicate this CD to the memory of my mother, Maud Heinesen, and my mother’s brother, Svenn Brimheim. I love you.
Best regards
Elin Brimheim Heinesen , July 2007”
TRACKS ON THE ALBUM:
- Verðin undurfull er (What a Wonderful World) – (George David Weiss and Robert (Bob) Thiele. Translation to Faroese: Elin Brimheim Heinesen)
- Mussa meg (Besame mucho) – (Consuelo Velázquez. Translation to Faroese: Elin Brimheim Heinesen)
- Ynski (May Each Day) – (George Wyle/Mort Green. Translation to Faroese: Elin Brimheim Heinesen)
- Nánd (De Nære Ting) – (Kurt Foss & Reidar Bøe/Arne Paasche-Aasen. Translation to Faroese: Thomas Mikael Smith)
- Halt mær til góðar (Rose Garden) – (Joseph Alfred Souter (Joe South). Translation to Faroese: Elin Brimheim Heinesen)
- Lættur í lund (En Valsmelodi) – (Lille Bror Söderlundh/Jens Pauli Heinesen)
- Sangur um frælsi (En sång om frihet) – (Mikis Theodorakis/D. Christodoulou. Translation to Swedish: Bo Setterlind. Translation to Faroese: Elin Brimheim Heinesen)
- Lorelei – (Friedrich Silcher/Heinrich Heine. Translation to Faroese: Dánjal á Hellu (Dánjal Jákup Bærentsen))
- Elska eymligt (Love Me Tender) – (Based on a song from 1861, Aura Lee. Music: George R. Poulton. Old lyrics: W.W.Fosdick. Lyrics (1956): Elvis Presley, Vera Matson (Ken Darby). Translation to Faroese: Elin Brimheim Heinesen)
- So fitt sum í gomlum døgum (Så sødt som i gamle dage) – (Kaj Normann Andersen/Kaj Munk. Translation to Faroese: Hermann Jacobsen)
- Áarvegurin (Streets of London) – (Ralph McTell. Rewriting to Faroese: Elin Brimheim Heinesen)
- Mín einasti eini (Du är den ende) – (Vicente Gomez/Bo Setterlind. Translation to Faroese: Elin Brimheim Heinesen)
- Nu folder jeg hånd og tanke – (Lars Søraas (Det lyser i stille grender)/Ad. Langsted)
- Veraldarendi (The End of the World) – (Arthur Kent/Sylvia Dee. Translation to Faroese: Elin Brimheim Heinesen)
- Lít allar tínar leiðir – (H.L.Hassler/Paul Gerhardt. Translated to Norwegian: St.J. Stenersen, Translation to Faroese: Gudmund Bruun)
TRACKS
1. VERÐIN UNDURFULL ER (WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD
Listen here:
“What a wonderful world… Of all my mother’s favourite songs, this one was probably her all-time greatest. She loved Louis Armstrong – and the song, which she had on an old 78-record, was played countless times on our record player when I was a little girl. I translated it and chose to start this CD with it, because my mother always commented on how life-affirming it was to hear Louis Armstrong sing this beautiful song. It put her in such a great mood, she said. This song reminds me of my mother when she was happy.”
– Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Origin: American – What a wonderful world, featuring Louis Armstrong.
Music and lyrics: George David Weiss and Robert (Bob) Thiele
Translated from English: Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Copyright: © Abilene Music/Air Chrysalis Scand AB, Warner/Chappell Music Scand AB, Quartet Music (ASCAP)
Recordings: Live recording + backing vocals recorded in Kringvarp Føroya (Faroese National Broadcasting) in Jan. 2007. Technician: Finnur Hansen.
Bass recorded in Oyravox in Nólsoy in June 2007. Technician: Jónas Bloch Danielsen
Arrangements: Hans Christian Clementsen, Elin Brimheim Heinesen and Finnur Hansen
Lead vocal: Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Backing vocals: Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Guitar: Hans Christian Clementsen
Mandolin: Thomas Michael Smith
Mandolin: Heðin Thomsen
Double Bass: Mikael Blak
ISRC DK-HE9-07-00101
Song lyrics in Faroese:
VERÐIN UNDURFULL ER
Síggi rósurunn í grønu lund
grør fyri okkum hesa stund
Og eg hugsi við mær, verðin undurfull er
Síggi skýggj so hvít og loftið blátt
Vælsignað verið dag og nátt
Og eg hugsi við mær, verðin undurfull er
Hygg ælabogans litir, so vakrir lið um lið
Í andlitum á fólkum, sum ganga tætt framvið
Síggi vinfólk heilsa, tey gleða seg
Tey siga jú: eg elski teg
Hygg ælabogans litir…
Síggi børn so fitt, tey menna seg
Tey læra meir enn tú og eg
Og eg hugsi við mær, verðin undurfull er
Ja, eg hugsi við mær, verðin undurfull er
Á, ja
2. MUSSA MEG (BESAME MUCHO)
Listen here:
“I have always loved to dance. I took dancing lessons as a child for several years. That is perhaps the reason why I also love music for dancing. I was introduced to Besame Mucho when I lived in Fuengirola in southern Spain with my parents in 1968-69. It reminds me so much of a beautiful year with my parents in this sunny country (although the song is originally Mexican). I loved the swing of it, and I have loved the latin beat ever since. My mother was also very fond of the song so I sang it to her a lot while she was ill. I have read other translations, but this is my version.”
– Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Origin: Mexican – Besame Mucho.
Music and lyrics: Consuelo Velázquez, 1940.
Translated from Spanish: Elin Brimheim Heinesen.
Copyright: © Peermusic AB
Recordings: Live recording + backing vocals recorded in Kringvarp Føroya in Jan. 2007. Technician: Finnur Hansen.
Lead vocal, bass and rythm guitar recorded at Oyravox in Nólsoy in June 2007. Technician: Jónas Bloch Danielsen
Arrangement: Hans Christian Clementsen, Elin Brimheim Heinesen and Finnur Hansen
Lead vocal: Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Backing Vocals: Elin Brimheim Heinesen and Finnur Hansen
Guitar: Hans Christian Clementsen
Rythm Guitar: Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Mandolin: Thomas Michael Smith
Mandolin: Heðin Thomsen
Double Bass: Mikael Blak
Percussion: Finnur Hansen
ISRC DK-HE9-07-00102
Song lyrics in Faroese:
MUSSA MEG
Bésame, bésame mucho
como si fuera esta noche la ultima vez
Bésame, bésame mucho
Que tengo miedo a perderte,
perderte después
Qiero tenerte muy cerca
Mirarme en tus ojos
Verte junto a mí
Piensa que tal vez mañana
Yo ya estaré lejos, muy lejos de ti
Bésame, bésame mucho
como si fuera esta noche la ultima vez
Bésame, bésame mucho
Que tengo miedo a perderte,
perderte otra vez
Mussa meg, mussa meg meira
Sum var tað okkara allarseinasta nátt
Mussa meg, mussa meg meira
Tí eg óttist, eg missi teg,
tá ið tú fert út um gátt
Eg vil síggja meg í tínum eygum
og kenna teg vera
so tætt her hjá mær
Eg hugsi, at kanska í morgin,
so verði eg burtur, langt burtur frá tær
Mussa meg, mussa meg meira
Sum var tað okkara allarseinasta nátt
Mussa meg, mussa meg meira
Tí eg óttist, eg missi teg,
tá ið tú fert út um gátt
Eg óttist, eg missi teg,
tá ið tú fert út um gátt
3. YNSKI (MAY EACH DAY)
Listen here:
“Andy Williams’ ‘May each day’ may not be as well-known as some of the other songs on this CD. But it is a very special song to me because of its great musicality and the fact that it speaks to the child within me. There is an air of fairytales and Disney in it – and I loved the Disney world as a little girl. Maybe that’s why I love this song. The lyrics are also full of love. I translated the song to Faroese when my beloved daughter, Helena Heinesen Rebensdorff, was confirmed in 2004, just before my mum became ill and we were blissfully unaware of what was going to happen. I sang the song at Helena’s reception. This song is dedicated to you, Helena, from my heart.”
– Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Origin: American – May each day, featuring Andy Williams
Music: George Wyle
Lyrics: Mort Green
Translated from English: Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Copyright: © Emi Songs Scand.
Recordings: Live recording + backing vocals recorded in Kringvarp Føroya in Jan. 2007. Technician: Finnur Hansen
Arrangement: Hans Christian Clementsen, Elin Brimheim Heinesen and Finnur Hansen
Lead Vocal: Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Backing Vocal: Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Guitar: Hans Christian Clementsen
Mandolin: Thomas Michael Smith
Mandolin: Heðin Thomsen
Double Bass: Fróði Sandoy
ISRC DK-HE9-07-00103
Song lyrics in Faroese:
YNSKI
Ynski hvønn dag í vikuni góðan
Ynski Harrin skal ansa tær væl
So at vónirnar verða til ynski
Og at hvørt ynski uppfyllast skal
Ynski hvønn dag í mánaðinum góðan
Ynski at mangar vinir tú fært
So at dreymarnir verða til minni
Og at hvørt minni verður tær kært
Vikur gerast til mánaðir
Og mánaðir til ár
Liva gleði og sorg
Liva látur og tár
Men eittans eg ynski
av himmalinum
at hvør dagur fyllist
við kærleikanum
Ynski hvønn dag í árinum góðan
Ynski dimmið skal lætta hvønn dag
So at hvør dagur verður eins góður
Sum tann løtan vit livdu í dag
Ynski hvønn dag í lívinum góðan
Góða nátt
4. NÁND (DE NÆRE TING)
Listen here:
“The first evening when I went to pick up Svenn and go to the recording studio, he was rehearsing with his band, Ad Libitum. They were playing this particular song when I entered the room. I started singing because Svenn and I have played it together so often at family reunions. This inspired us all so much that the whole band came with us to the studio, even though this was not planned. We recorded it straight away – and the very first recording is the one you’re hearing on this CD. Thanks to this song, Ad Libitum ended up playing on most of the other songs on this CD. Thomas Michael Smith, one of Ad Libitum’s mandolin players, translated the song from Norwegian. His version has been on several recordings before, but we’re happy to release another one. I think the lyrics are more relevant now than ever – with today’s stressful globalisation, it is essential that we manage to step back and take a long and hard look at all the good things around us.”
– Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Origin: Norwegian – De nære ting
Music: Kurt Foss & Reidar Bøe.
Lyrics: Arne Paasche-Aasen
Translated from Norwegian: Thomas Michael Smith
Copyright: © Oscar Skaus Musikforlag/Emi Songs Scand.
Recording: Live recording in Kringvarp Føroya in Sept. 2005. Backing vocals recorded in Jan 2007. Technician: Finnur Hansen
Arrangement: Ad Libitum and Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Lead vocal: Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Backing vocals: Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Guitar: Svenn Brimheim
Guitar: Hans Christian Clementsen
Mandolin: Thomas Michael Smith
Mandolin: Heðin Thomsen
Double Bass: Fróði Sandoy
ISRC DK-HE9-07-00104
Song lyrics in Faroese:
NÁND
So rótleyst er sinni títt, altíð á ferð
Tað tykist, sum gloymir tú virðini her
Hví droymir tú heldur um fjarskotin lond
Enn síggja tað vakra, sum er í nánd?
Tær tykir, at lívið er keðiligt, grátt
hvønn er tað, tú saknar, hví falla í fátt?
Tá aldri tú unnir tær hvíld ella frið
Fæst einki at grógva við tína lið
Far innar í stovuna, um hon er trong
og lurta – hon syngur ein stillan song
hon rúmar tó nakað, sum tú leggur í
har væntar bert tað – at tú varnast tí
Tann eydnan, tú hómar um blánandi fjøll
hvør sigur, hon finst ei í heimahøll?
Tú átti ei friðleysur leita so fjart
Men lært teg at elska tað, sum tú sært
5. HALT MÆR TIL GÓÐAR (ROSE GARDEN/I BEG YOUR PARDON)
Listen here:
“For as long as I can remember, my father, Jens Pauli Heinesen, has sung Rose Garden (the English version) – especially to my mother in a jovial mood. This song is slightly different from the others on this CD, but it meant something special to me in my youth because in a simple way it represented my father’s philosophy. So it is fair to say that this song has been part of my upbringing.”
– Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Origin: American – Rose Garden, featuring Lynn Anderson.
Music and lyrics: Joseph Alfred Souter (Joe South)
Translated from English: Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Copyright: © Sony/ATV Music
Recording: Live recording + backing vocals recorded in Kringvarp Føroya in Jan. 2007. Technician: Finnur Hansen
Arrangement: Hans Christian Clementsen and Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Lead vocal: Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Backing vocals: Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Guitar: Hans Christian Clementsen
Guitar: Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Mandolin: Thomas Michael Smith
Mandolin: Heðin Thomsen
Double bass: Fróði Sandoy
ISRC DK-HE9-07-00105
Song lyrics in Faroese:
HALT MÆR TIL GÓÐAR
Halt mær til góðar.
Eg lovaði’aldri gull og grønar skógir.
Vilt tú hava sólskin,
so veist tú, tað má regna summatíðir.
Tá tú tekur, mást tú geva,
so liv og lat liva,
ella lat tað fara, tú.
Halt mær til góðar.
Eg lovaði’aldri gull og grønar skógir.
Eg kundi givið tær ting,
ja, ein vakran gullring.
Men tú finnur onga rósu,
sum grør á smærutúgvu.
Nei, eg vil ikki lúgva.
Men um tað hjálpir at tosa
blídliga við teg.
Ja, so vildi eg givið tær
alt, sum tú kundi droymt um nú,
tí tað ger slettis ongan mun, tú.
So smíl, góði, kom við mær at sveima.
Tungsinni hoyrir ikki heima
her. Njót hvørja løtu, nú vit hava høvið.
Halt mær til góðar.
Eg lovaði’aldri gull og grønar skógir.
Vilt tú hava sólskin,
so veist tú, tað má regna summatíðir.
Halt mær til góðar.
Eg lovaði’aldri gull og grønar skógir.
Eg kundi sungið ein sang
og lovað tær alt, ja.
Men er tað bara tað, sum skal til,
ja, so lati’eg teg fara.
Men eg má bara siga tær tað:
Hygg væl eftir góði,
áðrenn tú leypir
útí, tí tú veist ikki,
um nakar hjálpir tær upp á slætt.
Tú veist, tað eg sigi er rætt.
So smíl, góði, kom við mær at sveima.
Tungsinni hoyrir ikki heima
her. Njót hvørja løtu, nú vit hava høvið.
Halt mær til góðar.
Eg lovaði’aldri gull og grønar skógir.
Vilt tú hava sólskin,
so veist tú, tað má regna summatíðir.
Halt mær til góðar…
6. LÆTTUR Í LUND (EN VALSMELODI)
Listen here:
“The first Faroese version of Lættur í lund was performed at the Faroese national theatre in 1971 as part of the play Uppi í eini eikilund which my father, Jens Pauli Heinesen, wrote. The song was written for this play – that is not translated from the Swedish version En valsmelodi by Nils Ferlin. Svenn played the guitar on this version. I was only 13 at the time, but I never forget how exciting and moving this performance was. Svenn and I have played this song together several times since then in many different situations. The song is dedicated to all those who feel left out by society.”
– Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Origin: Swedish – En valsmelodi (Dagen är släckt)
Music: Lille Bror Söderlundh
Faroese lyrics: Jens Pauli Heinesen (lyrics from the theatre play ‘Uppi í eini eikilund’)
Copyright: © Elkan & Schildknecht, Emil Carelius AB
Recordings: Live recording in Kringvarp Føroya – the Faroese National Radio in Sept. 2005. Backing vocals recorded in Jan 2007. Technician: Finnur Hansen. Bass recorded in Oyravox in Nólsoy in June 2007. Technician: Jónas Bloch Danielsen
Arrangement: Elin Brimheim Heinesen og Svenn Brimheim
Lead vocal: Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Backing vocal: Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Guitar: Svenn Brimheim
Double bass: Mikael Blak
ISRC DK-HE9-07-00106
Song lyrics in Faroese:
LÆTTUR Í LUND
Lættur í lund
Spældi um stund
Sól gylti skógir og tindar
Sangur og vín
Unnustan mín
Ymiskir blæsa teir vindar
Deyðin fór herjandi buldur og gný
Smildraði heimin, sum vit livdu í
Á, tú týnandi makt millum manna
Hvar finni eg lívd fyri tær
Skal eg eldast og ongantíð sanna
At her var rúm fyri mær
Burt í fjarløgdum londum frá vinum og heimi
Eg siti í skugga hjá slóknandi eimi
Skal eg eldast og ongantíð sanna
At her var rúm fyri mær
Silvur og gull
Húsini full
Men hvar er mín lukka, mín gleði
Í einbýli her
Øskukalt er
Dagurin dettur av degi
Geislar av eitri hvørt sprek og hvørt strá
Tað lúrir eitt eyga í hvørjari vrá
Hygg tey styggja meg burtur við gandi
Tey unna mær als ongan frið
Eg má rýma frá húsi og landi
Tó at sorgin hon fylgir mær við
Og tí sigli eg bát mín mót ókendum londum
Og haldi um stýrið við skelvandi hondum
Eg má rýma frá húsi og landi
Tó at sorgin hon fylgir mær við
7. SANGUR UM FRÆLSI (SÅNG OM FRIHET)
Listen here:
“Mikis Theodorakis’ Greek song for freedom was a great hit throughout most of my childhood. My parents also listened a lot to the Swedish troubadours Evert Taube and Sven Bertil Taube – and the latter recorded a Swedish version of this song. My parents used to play this song a lot and we would all rock to the rhythm and sing along. The song was often sung at parties also. The lyrics are full of hope and they have always touched me deeply. I have many good memories connected to this song, which is why I wanted to translate it to Faroese.”
– Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Origin: Greek – Kaymos, featuring Mikis Theodorakis.
Music: Mikis Theodorakis
Lyrics: D. Christodoulou
Swedish edition: En sång om frihet
Lyrics: Bo Setterlind
Translated from Swedish: Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Copyright: © Bonnier Music Publishing
Recordings: Live recording in Kringvarp Føroya in Sept. 2005. Backing vocals recorded in Jan 2007. Technician: Finnur Hansen
Arrangement: Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Lead vocal: Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Backing vocals: Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Guitar: Svenn Brimheim
Guitar: Hans Christian Clementsen
Mandolin: Thomas Michael Smith
Mandolin: Heðin Thomsen
Double bass: Fróði Sandoy
ISRC DK-HE9-07-00107
Song lyrics in Faroese:
SANGUR UM FRÆLSI
Eg veit eitt hav
í tær og mær
Ein sól er til,
sum altíð sær
Ein strond er djúpt
í hvørji sál
Ein grøv er ei
títt endamál
Og vilt tú skilja, hvat er gott
Og vera fræls á myrku nátt
So bygg ein heim, ein heim at liva í
Tað ræður um títt lív, títt egna lív
Og vilt tú skilja…
Ein heimur er,
tú kundi valt
har nýggir vindar
broyta alt
tí eftir vetur
kemur vár
ein tíð við frælsi
uttan tár
Og vilt tú skilja…
8. LORELEI
Listen here:
“Classical music was a natural part of daily life when I was a little girl. Die Lorelei may not qualify as a classical piece in the normal sense of the word, but it has been recorded several times by classical ensembles and choirs, including one record that my parents used to play a lot. We often used to sing along: ”Ich weiss nicht was soll es bedeuten…” My uncle Svenn also loved this song, so it was a natural choice on this CD.”
– Elin Brimheim Heinesen
The Loreley (also written as Lorelei) is a rock on the eastern bank of the Rhine near St. Goarshausen, which soars some 120 meters above the water line. A very strong current and rocks below the waterline have caused many boat accidents there. Lorelei is also the name of one of the beautiful Rhine Maidens who lured navigators of this river to their dooms with their alluring singing, much as the ancient Greek Sirens did. The tale of Lorelei has fascinated many artists – also composers. The haunting power of the siren has for instance been compared with the power of drugs. Best known must be this song with lyrics written by Heinrich Heine and music by Friedrich Silcher.
Origin: German – Lorelei.
Music: Friedrich Silcher, 1838
Lyrics: Heinrich Heine, 1823
Translated from German: Dánjal á Hellu (Dánjal Jákup Bærentsen, Vitin 1941)
Recordings: Live recording in Kringvarp Føroya in Sept. 2005. Technician: Finnur Hansen
Arrangement: Svenn Brimheim
Lead vocal: Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Guitar: Svenn Brimheim
ISRC DK-HE9-07-00108
Song lyrics in Faroese:
LORELEI
Eg veit ikki av hvørjum ávum
At hjarta mítt sorgarfult er
Ein søga frá eldgomlum døgum
Mær ei úr huganum fer
Tað skýmir, og svalligir vindar
Lætt leika á streymandi Rhín
Tað roðar á fjallatindar
Nú sólin setur um sýn
Har situr á nøvunakki
Hin fagrasta ungmoyin frítt
Í glógvandi reyðum stakki
Og kembir gullhárið sítt
Hon gullkambin setur í høvur
Og brosar eitt villandi bragð
Ímeðan hon ljómandi kvøður
Eitt yndisligt dragandi lag
Og bátsmaður uppeftir skoðar
Og líðir á tølandi lag
Hann sansar ei brot ella boðar
Men gloymir róður og drag
Eg vænti tað varar ei leingi
So hevur brotið hann holvt
Tað hevur við flagdarsangi
Hin fagra Lorelei volt
9. ELSKA EYMLIGT (LOVE ME TENDER)
Listen here:
“The melody to Love me tender dates all the way back to the 19th century; however, Elvis Presley made it a big hit. Elvis’ version was played a lot on the local radio when I was a little girl, and it became a natural part of the soundscape in my childhood home. I have heard this song more times than I can possibly count – and seen my parents dancing and being generally romantic to it. It brings back great memories for me – as well as it did for my mother, so I decided to translate it into Faroese for her.”
– Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Origin: American – Love me tender, featuring Elvis Presley
Music: Based on a song from 1861, Aura Lee (Music: George R. Poulton. Old lyrics: W.W.Fosdick)
Lyrics (1956): Elvis Presley, Vera Matson (Ken Darby)
Translated from English: Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Copyright: © Cherry Lane Scand./Smalberry Songs Scand.
Recordings: Live recording in Kringvarp Føroya in Sept. 2005. Backing vocals recorded in Jan 2007. Technician: Finnur Hansen
Arrangement: Elin Brimheim Heinesen and Ad Libitum.
Lead vocal: Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Backing vocals: Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Guitar: Svenn Brimheim
Guitar: Hans Christian Clementsen
Mandolin: Thomas Michael Smith
Mandolin: Heðin Thomsen
Double bass: Fróði Sandoy
ISRC DK-HE9-07-00109
Song lyrics in Faroese:
ELSKA EYMLIGT
Elska leingi, elska væl
Slepp mær ongan veg
Tá gerst lívið til eitt spæl
tí eg elski teg
Elska eymligt, elska meg
Náttin er so blíð
Skattur mín, eg elski teg
Nú og alla tíð
Elska leingi, elska vilt
Inn í hjarta títt
tak meg, til tað stendur stilt
Og eg gerist býtt
Elska eymligt, elska meg…
Elska eymligt, elska meg…
Elska djúpt og elska høgt
sig mær tú ert mín
so tendrast har, ið fyrr var sløkt
og eg gerist tín
Elska eymligt, elska meg…
10. SO FITT SUM Í GOMLUM DØGUM (SÅ SØDT SOM I GAMLE DAGE)
Listen here:
“It was very important to Svenn to include ‘So fitt sum í gomlum døgum’ (As Sweet as in the Old Days) on this CD in memory of his good old friend Hermann Jacobsen, who also was a friend of my parents. The song is also highly relevant, since this CD is meant as a remembrance of things past. Hermann translated the song from Danish, but he never got the chance to record it himself. So that is why we chose to do just that. This song is dedicated to the memory of Hermann.”
– Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Origin: Danish – Så sødt som i gamle dage (Danish song from the play Puslespil)
Music: Kaj Normann Andersen
Lyrics: Kaj Munk
Translated from Danish: Hermann Jacobsen
Copyright: © Edition Wilhem Hansen
Recordings: Live recording in Kringvarp Føroya in Sept. 2005. Technician: Finnur Hansen
Arrangement: Svenn Brimheim
Lead vocal: Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Guitar: Svenn Brimheim
ISRC DK-HE9-07-00110
Song lyrics in Faroese:
SO FITT SUM Í GOMLUM DØGUM:
Vinur mín steðga nú plátuni brátt
Og saxofonanna røðum
Aftur vit syngja nú skulu ein tátt
So fitt sum í gomlum døgum
Inni í Havnini trongligt er
Betur í Saksunarhøgum
Har skyggir døggin og har vaksa ber
So fitt sum í gomlum døgum
Mýrisnípan hon brýtur ró
Fyri forelskaðum bøgum
Syngur hitt sama hugnaljóð
So fitt sum í gomlum døgum
Mánin hann má enn heilt uttan streym
Skína av himni høgum
Á tvey sum spáka sær inn í dreym
So fitt sum í gomlum døgum
Vindur valla á náttarstund
Kennist á kneysum og nøvum
Stjørnurnar teska um ævigblund
So fitt sum í gomlum døgum
Verðin er neyvan so skeplað í dag
Sum sagt er í gomlum søgum
Hann teskar “Kann eg?” og hon sigur “Ja!”
So fitt sum í gomlum døgum
11. ÁARVEGURIN (STREETS OF LONDON)
Listen here:
“Streets of London was played a lot on the local radio, as well as at parties when I was a teenager. I translated the song to Faroese when I was 16 years old. It was also the first song I ever performed at a public concert. This was back in 1974 at a theatre in Tórshavn. The Faroese lyrics became popular and were sung at various party venues. After a while the words were sung throughout the islands. The song has been recorded several times by other Faroese artists, but this is the first time it is on one of my recording.”
– Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Origin: English – Streets of London, featuring Ralph McTell
Music and lyrics: Ralph McTell
Translated from English: Elin Brimheim Heinesen (in 1974).
Copyright: © Westminster Music LTD/Musikforlaget Essex AB
Recordings: Live recording + backing vocals recorded in Kringvarp Føroya in Jan. 2007. Technician: Finnur Hansen.
Vocal and bass recorded in Oyravox in Nólsoy in June 2007. Technician: Terji Rasmussen and Jónas Bloch Danielsen
Arrangement: Ad Libitum and Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Lead vocal: Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Backing vocals: Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Guitar: Hans Christian Clementsen
Rythm Guitar: Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Mandolin: Thomas Michael Smith
Mandolin: Heðin Thomsen
Double bass: Mikael Blak
ISRC DK-HE9-07-00111
Song lyrics in Faroese:
ÁARVEGURIN
Raggar oldingin so eina
eftir honum piltar steina
biddar um samkenslu
fær bert háð og spott
syrgin eru hansar eygu
tey bangnu kámu, gráu, reyðu
spyrjandi, skilja ei
hví hann ei fekk tað gott
Hví sigur tú, at tú ert eina
– og skuggar hanga yvir tær
Vilt tú síggja sorg og gleði
fær tær eftir Áarvegi
Har sært tú lívið
sum tað veruliga er
Stakkals brúkta gleðisdukkan
starir inn í sýnisgluggan
sær hon kjólar
ið hon ei kann fá
fyrr var hon ung og vøkur
nú er hon eld og pjøkut
minnist sín ungdóm
við longsli og trá
Hví sigur tú, at tú ert eina…
Flýggjar inn á kondittaríið
sami gamlin frá strev og stríði
í myrkasta krókin
at turka síni tár
ongastaðni fær hann frið
látur altíð fylgir við
roynir hann at gloyma
síni tungu sálarsár
Hví sigur tú, at tú ert eina…
Freistaður og niðurboygdur
starir í tóman heim reyðoygdur
ivast ein løtu
men viljin veikur er
tekur sína Aqua Velva
hondin fer at rista, skelva
kulkar síðan í seg
so at sorgin burtur fer
Hví sigur tú, at tú ert eina…
12. MÍN EINASTI EINI (DU ÄR DEN ENDE)
Listen here:
“Du är den ende was a big hit for Lill Lindfors from Sweden in the 60s when I was a child. But I really fell for it when I noticed the original Spanish instrumental version Romance de amor. This was when I spent a year with my parents in Fuengirola in southern Spain in 1968-69. I remember how much my parents loved this song. It is a classic and I will never tire of it. I thought it was about time we had a Faroese version.”
– Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Origin: Spanish – Romance de amor
Music: Vicente Gomez, 1939
Swedish edition: Du är den ende, featuring Lill Lindfors, 1966
Lyrics: Bo Setterlind
Translated from Swedish: Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Copyright: © Intersong Forlaget
Recordings: Live recording in Kringvarp Føroya in Sept. 2005. Backing vocals recorded in Jan. 2007. Technician: Finnur Hansen
Arrangement: Ad Libitum og Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Lead vocal: Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Backing vocals: Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Guitar: Svenn Brimheim
Guitar: Hans Christian Clementsen
Mandolin: Thomas Michael Smith
Mandolin: Heðin Thomsen
Double bass: Fróði Sandoy
ISRC DK-HE9-07-00112
Song lyrics in Faroese:
MÍN EINASTI EINI
Tú, bara tú ert
mín einasti eini
Tó einki er sagt
veitst tú væl, hvat eg meini
Mær leingist so eftir tær
Um tú bert segði
Eittans lítið orð
Varð eg tín
Teg, bara teg kann
Eg ongantíð gloyma
Tín rødd, tíni eygu
Um teg vil eg droyma
Tí biði eg teg, góði
Um tú bert segði
Eittans lítið orð
Varð eg tín
Eingin sum tú
– Tó ein onnur teg eigur –
Kann elska meg meira
Áh, vís mær tann heiður
At gerast tann genta
Tú velur skal vera
Ein partur av tínari verð
Tú, bara tú, góði,
fært meg at droyma
tí bara tú skilir
Hvat tárini goyma
Mær leingist so eftir tær
Um tú bert segði
Eittans lítið orð
Varð eg tín
13. NU FOLDER JEG HÅND OG TANKE
Listen here:
“Nu folder jeg haand og tanke was my grandmother’s favourite hymn. My uncle (her son) found the lyrics in one of her drawers. Today, the song is mostly known as a Norwegian Christmas hymn with different lyrics, sung by artists such as Sissel Kirkjebø. But my grandmother used to sing it with these old lyrics – often as a lullaby, first for her children and then later for her grandchildren. This is why Svenn wanted to include this song with the old lyrics.”
– Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Origin: Norwegian/Danish hymn
Music: Lars Søraas, 1948 (Det lyser i stille grender)
Lyrics: Ad. Langsted (†1919)
Copyright: © Lunde Forlag
Recordings: Live recording in Kringvarp Føroya in Sept. 2005. Technician: Finnur Hansen
Arrangement: Svenn Brimheim
Lead vocal: Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Guitar: Svenn Brimheim
ISRC DK-HE9-07-00113
Song lyrics in Norwegian:
NU FOLDER JEG HÅND OG TANKE
Nu folder jeg haand og tanke
Til tak for den svundne dag
Nu skyter min bøn en ranke
Mot himmelens stjernetag
Nu lukker jeg dør og øje
Og stænger al verden ut
Jeg har en ven i det høje
Ham skikker jeg længselsbud
Nu bøjer jeg knæ og hjerte
Og giver mig Gud i vold
Jeg slukker fuldtryg min kjærte
Gud Herren er sol og skjold
14. VERALDARENDI (THE END OF THE WORLD)
Listen here:
“Skeeter Davis’ version of The End of the World was very popular in the Faroe Islands when I was a little girl. I remember I was on vacation in Klaksvík the first time I heard the song. I couldn’t get it out of my head and sang it all the time. My family loved this song, so I chose to translate it for my mother. It is a highly sentimental song, but somehow it touches my heart in a good way. I have sung it a lot since then – especially on my own when I have felt hurt by love or loss.”
– Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Origin: American – The end of the world, featuring Skeeter Davis, 1963
Music: Arthur Kent
Lyrics: Sylvia Dee
Translated from English: Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Copyright: © Edward Proffit Music/Scandinavian Songs AB
Recording: Live recording + backing vocals recorded in Kringvarp Føroya in Jan. 2007. Technician: Finnur Hansen
Arrangement: Hans Christian Clementsen, Elin Brimheim Heinesen and Finnur Hansen
Lead vocal: Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Backing vocals: Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Guitar: Hans Christian Clementsen
Mandolin: Thomas Michael Smith
Mandolin: Heðin Thomsen
Double bass: Fróði Sandoy
ISRC DK-HE9-07-00114
Song lyrics in Faroese:
VERALDARENDI
Hví skínur sól enn á himni
Hví skola aldur á sand
Veit eingin av, tað var veraldarendi
Tá tú sleit okkar’ ástarband
Hví syngja fuglar so kátir
Hví glampa stjørnur á nátt
Veit eingin av, tað var veraldarendi
Ta løtu, tá tú rýmdi brátt
Eg vakni upp á morgni
Og eg undrist
hví alt man vera enn nú sum tá
Eg skilji tað ei
Nei, eg skilji tað ei
Hví lívið bara heldur á
Hví dukar hjarta í brósti
Hví, sig mær, hví gráti eg
Veit eingin av, tað var veraldarendi
Ta løtu, tá tú fór tín veg
Hví dukar hjarta í brósti
Hví, sig mær, hví gráti eg
Veit eingin av, tað var veraldarendi
Ta løtu, tá eg misti teg
15. LÍT ALLAR TÍNAR LEIÐIR
Listen here:
“Lít allar tínar leiðir was my mother’s favourite hymn. She wanted us to sing it at her funeral, and this is why I chose to end the CD with this one. There is a lot of comfort to be found in this song, and the words go deeper every time I sing it. Right after we had recorded this song, I drove to the cemetery late at night, opened the doors of my car and played the song next to my mother’s grave, while remembering old days with her, shedding a tear. I don’t know why, but that really helped me a lot – and when I got home I felt a lot better. So this one’s for you, mother.”
– Elin Brimheim Heinesen
The original title is Befiehl du deine Wege. Both the music and the lyrics form part of Bach’s St Matthew Passion from 1729. The hymn was translated to Danish as early as 1680 by the Bertel Chr. Giødesen, who was also known by the name of Aegidius. The more recent and perhaps more familiar translation is thought to have been written by St J. Stenersen, a Norwegian professor , in 1826.
Origin: German hymn from 1601. (Nordic edition: Befal du dine veje)
Music: H.L.Hassler
Lyrics: Paul Gerhardt, German priest, 1676 (Translated to Norwegian: St.J. Stenersen, Norwegian professor, 1826) Translated from Danish/Norwegian: Gudmund Bruun.
Recording: Live recording + backing vocals recorded in Kringvarp Føroya in Jan. 2007. Technician: Finnur Hansen. Backing vocals recorded in Oyravox in Nólsoy in June 2007. Technician: Terji Rasmussen
Arrangement: Hans Chr. Clementsen and Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Lead vocal: Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Backing vocals: Elin Brimheim Heinesen
Guitar: Hans Christian Clementsen
Mandolin: Thomas Michael Smith
Mandolin: Heðin Thomsen
Double bass: Mikael Blak
ISRC DK-HE9-07-00115
Song lyrics in Faroese:
LÍT ALLAR TÍNAR LEIÐIR
Lít allar tínar leiðir
Og alla hjartasorg
Í Harrans hond, sum eigur
Alt vald í himnaborg
Hann, sum kann stormar lætta
Og leggja brim í sjó
Og fjøll og dalar slætta
Kann finna fótum slóð
Gev Harra tínum gætur
Tá væl tað gongst tær við
Ert tú í honum mætur
Tá fært tú fragd og frið
Tann sorg, tú sjálvur aldi
Man eina níva á
Tú einki eigur valdið
Men Guð man vita ráð
Tín trúfesti og náði
O, faðir, væl veit skil
Á tí, sum mær er bági
Og bati verða vil
Og alt, ið av tú ráddi
Man altíð bera á
Ei nakar máttur náddi
At spilla tíni ráð
Tú missir ikki ráðið
Um fólk enn fjóna teg
Men spreiðir tína náði
Og slættan beinir veg
Tín gerningur ei hvílir
Ei steðgar á títt spor
Tá eins og snarur pílur
Út flýgur veldis orð
Og um alt Sátans veldi
Teg vildi herja á
Tó aldri eg tað feldi
Sum valin halda má
Hvør kann tær móti standa
Sum snarligt sleingir út?
Og hvør kann manni granda,
Tá tú vilt forða sút?
So legg tú allan trega
Í Harrans sterku hond
Lat trúgv og vón teg gleða
um tíðin sýnist vánd
Tað er ei tú, ið veldur
Ei tú, ið tekur ráð
Guð veldisstavi heldur
Og ferð hans øll er náð
Og ferð hans øll er ná
AN IDEAL GIFT FOR THOSE YOU LOVE
You can listen to the album on this webpage, but if you want to own the CD or give it to someone as a gift, that is also possible.
This CD is ideal to give…
– to people you wish to show your love for
– to your parents, other members of your family or, perhaps, friends who can remember these songs from their younger years
– to people who love acoustic unpretentious live music
– to yourself, just because you like the music … 🙂
A FEW CD’s STILL AVAILABLE
The album is sold out and not available in record stores any longer, but the artist has a few copies left for selling, so it is still possible to order the album directly from the artist.
The CD is available for only 120 DKK + postal expences.
Send an E-mail to elinbrimheimheinesen at gmail.com with your name and address to order one or more copies of the CD: Yndisløg – Ein ferð aftur í farnar tíðir (Treasured Songs – A Trip Down Memory Lane) and have it sent by postal mail.
