The times in Norway

These are a bit strange and sad times to move to Norway. The whole country is in a state of post traumatic stress after the terrible deeds of Breivik. Now the court case is going on, and people try and deal with it, the media, and life after 22.7.12.

Today 40 000 grownups and children gathered in Oslo were singing Pete Seeger's My Rainbow Race. The song and it's translation into Norwegian by Lillebjørn Nilsen, has been a part of all of our lives from the seventies. The song itself has meaningful connotations to how many people want to deal with such an incident. Also, because of its place in many Norwegian hearts, the song immediately brings forth sentiments of solidarity and brotherhood. It is indeed a very powerful statement.

Pete Seeger: My Rainbow Race
One blue sky above us
One ocean lapping all our shore
One earth so green and round
Who could ask for more
And because I love you
I'll give it one more try
To show my rainbow race
It's too soon to die.

Some folks want to be like an ostrich,
Bury their heads in the sand.
Some hope that plastic dreams
Can unclench all those greedy hands.
Some hope to take the easy way:
Poisons, bombs. They think we need 'em.
Don't you know you can't kill all the unbelievers?
There's no shortcut to freedom.

[Chorus]

Go tell, go tell all the little children.
Tell all the mothers and fathers too.
Now's our last chance to learn to share
What's been given to me and you.

[Chorus]

Here's a video from all the people singing in Oslo today:

And here is the singalongtext in Norwegian! By Lillebjørn Nilsen (my guitarhero by the way)
En himmel full av stjerner.
Blått hav så langt du ser.
En jord der blomster gror.
Kan du ønske mer ?
Sammen skal vi leve
hver søster og hver bror.
Små barn av regnbuen
og en frodig jord.

Noen tror det ikke nytter.
Andre kaster tiden bort med prat.
Noen tror at vi kan leve av
plast og syntetisk mat.
Og noen stjeler fra de unge
som blir sendt ut for å sloss
Noen stjeler fra de mange
som kommer etter oss

Refreng:
si det til alle barna!
Og si det til hver far og mor:
Ennå har vi en sjanse
til å del e et håp på jord.

Refreng:
si det til alle barna!
Og si det til hver far og mor:
Ennå har vi en sjanse
til å del e et håp på jord