Song or Story
Streaming Media
Files
Location
New Sweden, ME
Rights and Access Note
Rights assessment remains the responsibility of the researcher. No known restrictions on publication. For information about the process and fees for obtaining higher resolution scans or another file format, contact Special Collections.
Document Type
Song
Collector
Jeff McKeen
Author
Nils Frykman
Date
1990
NA
2258
CD
979
Abstract
"Jag har en van" is an old Swedish pietistic hymn, with words and music written by Nils Frykman in 1895. Swedish hymn writer Nils Frykman was part of the Swedish Free Church movement in old Sweden during the second half of the 19th century.
Transcription
Swedish:
P7210: Group of people in ethnic costume standing behind food smorgasboard, New Sweden.
1. Jag har en vän, som älskar mig så högt, att han lät offra sig i korsets död på Golgata. Mitt hjärta, sjung halleluja!
Refrain Halleluja! Jag har en vän som för mig hem till himmelen. Han hela vägen med mig går, och av hans hand jag kronan får.
2. Min Jesu kärlek innerlig är ljuset på min vandringsstig. Den skatten gör mig rik och säll och driver sorgen från mitt tjäll.
Refrain
3. Jag har en vän, en mäktig vän, som tronar uti himmelen och råder över alla land, på höjd, i dal, på sjö och strand.
Refrain
4. O broder, stäm i sången in, ty denne vän är också din! Om du ej är så from du vill, hans nåd för dig dock räcker till.
Refrain
English:
1. I have a Friend Who loveth me, He gave His life on Calvary; Upon the cross my sins He bore, And I am saved forevermore.
Refrain Oh, hallelujah, He’s my Friend, He guides me to the journey’s end, He walks beside me all the way, And gives to me a crown some day.
2. My Savior’s love so full and free Doth light the weary way for me; It fills with joy each passing day And drives my sorrows all away.
Refrain
3. I have a Friend, a mighty Friend, Upon His power I may depend; He reigneth over every land, O’er valley, hill, on sea and strand.
Refrain
4. O brother, join us in our song! This Friend to you would fain belong; Tho’ far from what you’d like to be, His grace sufficient is for thee.
Refrain
Keywords
Jag har en vän, I Have a Friend, Chester Ringdahl, New Sweden, Maine, pietistic hymn, Nils Frykman, Swedish Free Church, song
Disciplines
Ethnomusicology | Folklore | Oral History
Recommended Citation
Ringdahl, Chester. 1990. “Jag har en vän.” NA2258, CD979.8. Northeast Archives of Folklore and Oral History, Raymond H. Fogler Special Collections Department, University of Maine.
Rights Statement
Description
Special thanks to Dan Olson of New Sweden, ME for his assistance identifying this song.
“Jag har en vän” is an old Swedish pietistic hymn, with words and music written by Nils Frykman in 1895. Swedish hymn writer Nils Frykman was part of the Swedish Free Church movement in old Sweden during the second half of the 19th century. It has a very well done English translation that has been published in many hymnals by a number of church denominations, which has helped maintain its popularity even after the Swedish language largely died out here in the US. The English version remains an old favorite in the Swedish towns of Aroostook County to this day. See below for full Swedish lyrics and an English translation.
P8189: Gustaf Adolph Lutheran Church in New Sweden, 1994
The Swedish community in northern Maine began with 51 men, women, and children who established the town of New Sweden in 1870 under the sponsorship of W.W. Thomas. Creating farmland out of the wilderness, Aroostook County’s Swedish colonists prospered and multiplied. Today, evidence of the area’s Swedish heritage is clearly visible. Although Swedish is not widely spoken anymore, an active historical society and a community of Swedish and non-Swedish residents carry on traditional songs, dances, stories, holiday celebrations, and religious observances.
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If you like this song, you may also be interested in the Swedish Traveling Trunk Exhibit!