OLEANA
(Arranged, adapted, and with additional lyrics by Theodore Bikel)

Ole-ole-ana Ole-ole-ana
Ole-ole-ole-ole Ole-ole-ana

Oh, to be in Oleana
That's where I'd like to be
Than be bound in Norway
And drag the chains of slavery.

Ole-ole-ana...

The trees and shrubs grow by themselves,
There really is no need for rain;
It only rains at banquet-time,
Instead of water--pure champagne.

Ole-ole-ana...

Beer as sweet as Münchner
Springs from the ground and flows away,
The cows all like to milk themselves,
The hens lay eggs ten times a day.

Ole-ole-ana...

Little roasted piggies
They rush about the city streets,
Inquiring so politely
If a slice of ham you'd like to eat.

Ole-ole-ana...

And when it comes to courting,
I tell you boys, that's better still;
Before you pop the question
The girls all shout, "Oh yes, I will!"

Ole-ole-ana...

If you really want to live
To Oleana you must go,
The poorest wretch in Norway
Becomes like a king in a year or so.

Ole-ole-ana...

The women there do all the work
As round the fields they swiftly go,
They carry around the hickory stick
And beat themselves if they work too slow.

Ole-ole-ana...

(Source: Folksongs and Footnotes by Theodore Bikel, Meridian Books, 1960, pp. 213-214)

~Masato