OLEANA

In Oleana that is the place where I would stay,
Instead of bearing slav'ry's chains and suffering in Norway.

Ole, oleanna. Ole, oleanna.
Ole, ole, ole, ole, ole, oleanna.

In Oleana land they'll give you, and it won't cost you a thing.
Grain it will grow by itself while you just sit around and sing.

And then the grain will thresh itself after the harvest,
While all I do is lie around. That's the part that I like best.

At the market are for sale the biggest spuds you e'er did see.
Each one yields a quart of whisky at the distillery.

Fine Bavarian beer is here, as good as you have tasted.
It runs through all the streams in town, and not a drop is wasted.

The salmon leap into the kettle fast as they are able.
Then they wiggle from the pot right onto the table.

Rushing 'round the streets, roasted piggies cause a traffic jam,
Inquring so politely if perchance you'd like a slice of ham.

And the cows they milk themselves. Please believe me, mister.
Then they churn out cheese as good as does Else, my sister.

And the calves they kill themselves right before your very eyes.
Then roast veal is served to all, quicker than you realize.

The hens lay eggs so big, their size surely would give you a shock.
And the roosters strike the hour as well as an eight-day clock.

There is a full moon every night, so there is no need to grope.
I am observing it right now — my bottle for a telescope.

When you go carousing, you'll get two dollars, and what's more,
If you do it very well, they will surely give you four.

Cakes and cookies rain down from the heavens day and night.
Good Lord, they are so delicious, they're a source of great delight.

No need to support your kids and to fill their purses.
If I had to work, I couldn't sit here spinning verses.

Velvet suits with silver buttons, we all wear without a fuss.
And we smoke our meerschaum pipes, which the old woman fills for us.

And she has to sweat and toil, all her work completing.
If she doesn't finish it, she gives herself a beating.

Everyone plays violin and dances polkas daily.
Life is very pleasant here, we pass the time so gaily.

So just you go to Oleana, and you'll never have a care.
The poorest wretch in Norway becomes a count once over there.

In Oleana that is the place where I would stay,
Instead of bearing slav'ry's chains and suffering in Norway


Ditmar Meidell
English lyrics by Jerry Silverman 1992
(from Mel Bay's Immigrant Songbook)

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MISSING VERSES
Silverman translated 19 of the 22 verses. Here are the ones he omitted.

RUUD 1936
And the bull himself doesn't stand around idle;
he beats his calves for loafing and shirking.

The sun shines faithfully all night long,
so that you can see in the dark just like a cat.

The old woman and the kids, why, they go on the township;
if the authorities don't pay they get it on the snout.

BLEGEN 1944
The bull he is the master, his calves he likes to boss, Sir,
He beats them when they loaf about, he's never at a loss, Sir.

And all night long the sun shines, it always keeps a-glowing,
It gives you eyes just like a cat's to see where you are going.

Support your wife and kids? Why the county pays for that, Sir,
You'd slap officials down and out if they should leave you flat, Sir.