Hi,

There are four Swedish versions mentioned by Child-- this is Child's Swedish B, which dates back to the early 1800s at least. It's taken from Svenska Folkvisor by E. G. Geijer and A. A. Afzelius (Stockholm 1880) I 288, No. 54, I. From Varmland listed by E. G. Geijer dated 1814 (Jonsson I, p. 420). Corrections welcome.

"Sven i Rosengard"

1 "Hvar har du varit se lange,
Du Sven i rosengard?"
"Jag har varit i stallet,
Kara moder var,
I vinten mig sent, men jag kommer aldrig!"

2 "Hvarfor din klader si blodig?"
"Hvita folan spjernte mig!"

3 Hvartfor ar din skjorta si blodig?
Jag har mordat broder min.

4 Hvart skall du di ta' vagen?
Jag skall rymma af landet.

5 Nar kommer du tillbaka?
Nar korpen han hvitnar

6 Och när hwitnar korpen,
Du Sven i Rosengärd?
Nar grästen han flyter,
Kara moder war!
I wanten mig sent, Men jag kommer alldrig!
* * * *

1 "Where have you been so long,
Sven in Rosengard?"
"I have been to the stable,
My mother dear,
I will come late or I will come never!"

2 Why are your clothes so bloody?
The white foal (colt) spilled me!

3 Why is your shirt so bloody?
I have murdered my brother.

4 What are you going to do?
I'll flee from this country.

5 When will you come back?
When the raven turns white.

6 And when will the raven turn white,
Sven in Rosegard?
"When the granite floats,
My mother dear!
I was expecting to come late but I will never come!"