Gripla - 20.12.2014, Side 235

235
english translation
Psalm following the Hymn collection by Jón Árnason. Compared
with Lambastaðabók. Attributed to the rev. Hallgrímur Pétursson in
Sálmareykelse [i.e. ÍB 380 8vo], likewise to Vigfús Jónsson in his biogra-
phy.
With its own tune.
1. May the children’s voices sound most beautifully
Gently on this day,
And be the greatest, praised of all.
Because to us is given and born
the Saviour endowed with loving kindness
from the Virgin’s womb, womb, womb,
from the Virgin’s womb, womb, womb,
from the Virgin’s womb,
the body clothed in the flesh.
2. At this moment he was born into the world
Covered in poor clothes,
He who is both god and man, kept safe in a manger.
His noble dignity began to last78
the saviour of all lands79
He took the booty away, away, away,
the booty away, away, away,
He took the booty away and increased the sorrows
of those with dark souls.80
78 began to last] the word form nam in the original is interpreted as an auxiliary verb here
which then usually remains untranslated. the context points at an inchoative meaning,
however.
79 In a variant of this verse, the word form landa “land” in the original alliterates with a word
form luft “air” in the phrase luft og landa “air and lands.” the phrase in that version can be
interpreted as a metonymical expression meaning “heaven and earth.” understanding “the
Savior of all lands” as “the Savior of the whole world” probably comes closer to the intended
meaning.
80 the booty refers to the souls can be delivered from sin after the death of Christ, which
eventually follows the birth of Jesus. the dark souls that are exempted from redemption
follow the Lutheran interpretation of salvation, the sola fide, stating that only believers can
be delivered from sin, irrespective of good deeds.
An ICELAnDIC CHrIStMAS HYMn