Lyr Req: Nikolina (trad. Swedish song)

Subject: Swedish or Norwegian song -'Nikolena'
From: GUEST,Les B
Date: 29 May 00 - 01:49 AM

A fiddle playing friend of mine is looking for the words (in English) to a Swedish or Norwegian song entitled "Nikolena" (or sounds like it) He didn't give me more than this, but I told him I'd run it up the Mudcatter flag pole and see if any of the European contingent might know it. Thanks in advance for your help.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Swedish or Norwegian song -'Nikolena
From: GUEST
Date: 29 May 00 - 02:42 AM

Dick Spottswood plays it every so often on WAMU-FM in Washington, DC. It's has a Scandinavian-American setting but I'm sure it's strictly an American song, entirely in English.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Swedish or Norwegian song -'Nikolena
From: GUEST,Brad Sondahl
Date: 29 May 00 - 12:17 PM

Clarence "Slim Jim" Iverson recorded it. I think he recorded in Chicago in the 40's and 50's, but is popularly remembered in Scandinavian Minnesota. Don't have it available now, but phrases I can remember "When you're in love, you're in an awful torture, "Blah, blah" I was so very fond of Nikolena, and Nikolena was so fond of me. Oh Nikolena, oh Nikolena, Nikolena was so fond of me."

There's a father who would beat him with a stick, and the lad declares he'll end it all by jumping in the see. But Nikolena declares "A suicide is nothing but a dumbbell" Tells him just to wait and the old man will die. And in the end they live happily ever after. Sorry I can't remember more, but you have some more clues...

Subject: Lyr Req: Nikolina ...English/Swedish (pref. both)
From: GaryD
Date: 27 Mar 03 - 04:43 PM

I need to sing a song for some scandinavian friends... I only know part of the words in English..but I can read Swedish & Norwegian.. If I could get those words in any/all 3 languages, I would appreciate it...

starts: When you're in love, you're in an awful torture... & those that tried it will not disagree... I was so fond of Nikolina, & Nikolina was just as fond of me...

It's a cute song which is a favorite of scandinavians here in Central MN... Hope you can help... Var so Gud!

Thanks...Gary

Subject: ADD: NIKOLINA (Swedish & English)
From: masato sakurai
Date: 27 Mar 03 - 06:39 PM

Found HERE (Swedish Folk Songs in a MIDI format):         NIKOLINA

1.
Att vara kär, dä ä en ryslig pina,
den som försökt dä säger inte nej.
Jag var så rysligt kär i Nikolina
å Nikolina lika kär i mej.

When you're in love, you're in an awful pain;
whoever's tried it will not disgree.
I was so very fond of Nikolina,
and Nikolina just as fond of me.

2.
Om hennes hand ja' bad hos hennes pappa,
men fick ett svar som ja' ej väntat på
Ja' aldrig kommit ut för någon trappa,
så rysligt hastigt som ja' gjorde då.

I asked her father for her hand in marriage
and got the answer in the strangest way.
I never yet got out on any doorstep
in such a hurry as I did that day.

3.
Då gick ja' hem å skrev te Nikolina
om hon vill' vara så rysligt snäll
å möta mej när månen börjar skina
i ekebacken nästa lördagskväll.

So I went home and wrote to Nikolina
"Oh, Nikolina, won't you meet me soon!
Please meet me in the woods on Wednesday evening,
and be there with the rising of the moon."

4.
Där mötte mej en mörk figur i kappa --
å månen sken på himlen som en båk.
Den mötande var Nikolinas pappa,
beväpnad med en rätt försvarlig påk.

And there I met a figure disconcerting,
the moon no greater glory could attain.
The one I met was Nikolina's papa,
armed with the meanest, most disturbing cane.

5.
Jag blev så rädd, ja darrade i knäna,
å tog te bena både rädd och skygg,
men som ja' smög där fram emellan träna,
lät gubben påken dansa på min rygg.

And then my knees, how they began to tremble.
I tried to run, but did not have a chance,
for in the woods, as on my knees I stumbled,
the cane began to do a polka dance.

6.
Då gick ja' hem å skrev te Nikolina:
"Nu ä dä mä mett hela liv ajö.
Om du ej bota kan min kärlekspina,
går ja' å dränker mej i närmsta sjö."

Then I went home and wrote to Nikolina,
"There's not the slightest bit of hope in me.
If you don't end me of this awful torture,
I'll end it all by jumping in the sea."

7.
Men Nikolina botade min sjuka --
hon sade: "Käre Olle, tänk dej för.
Den som sitt liv förkortar ä en kruka,
du kan väl lugna dej tess gubben dör."

Then Nikolina answered in a hurry,
"Oh, darling Karl, don't be so unwise!
A suicide is nothing but a dumbbell.
Why don't we wait until the old man dies?"

8.
Å nu så vänter ja å Nikolina
att gubben han ska kola vippen av,
å till ett minne efter honom sättes
den gamla påken uppå gubbens grav.

And so I wait, and so does Nikolina.
to see the old man kick the bucket soon,
and on his grave we're planting in rememberance
the cane he used upon me 'neath the moon.~Masato

---

Click to play

(MIDI from the now-defunct Website of Don Erickson - Joe Offer, 2 Sept 2010-)

---

[Click here to see a long list of Swedish folk songs, all with lyrics and midi files, provided by Don Erickson of Colorado Springs, CO.]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nikolina ...English/Swedish (pref. both)
From: masato sakurai
Date: 27 Mar 03 - 06:55 PM

Folk Music Index lists one recording:

Nikolina

1. Johnson, Ted; & his Scandinavian Orchestra. Folk Music in America, Vol.11, Songs of Humor & Hilarity, Library of Congress LBC-11, LP (1978), cut#A.02

I may have the LP; I'll check it later.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nikolina ...English/Swedish (pref. both)
From: masato sakurai
Date: 02 Apr 03 - 01:54 AM

The lyrics transcibed in the LP notes are virtually the same except that ja' in the lines is written jag throughout and that the first two lines of the translation are "When you're in love you're in an awful torture / Whoever tried it will not diagree." I'll quote part of the notes below:

This song came from Sweden around the turn of the century, brought to America by the famous entertainer Hjalmar Peterson (1886-1960), better known as Olle i Skratthult, or Olle from Laughtrsville. Olle recorded it at least three times and these recordings are reputed to have sold around 100,000 copies in a 20-year period, during which Olle toured the Swedish settlements of the United States.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nikolina (trad. Swedish song)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 07:34 PM

Now I KNOW I searched for "Nikolina" before I posted that, and I found nothing. Is our "Lyrics & Knowlege Search" on the fritz again?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nikolina (trad. Swedish song)
From: GUEST,Paul F. Anderson
Date: 30 Mar 08 - 07:51 PM

This comic song "Nikolina" was a big hit for the Swedish-born entertainer Olle i Skratthult (Hjalmar Peterson). He recorded it in his native language and sold a remarkable 100,000 copies — an amazing feat for a foreign-language record.

In the 1940's Slim Jim and The Vagabond Kid made the first recording of the song in English. Their version has achieved a lasting popularity among Scandinavian- Americans. Slim may have been the translator.

Slim Jim and The Vagabond Kid were a country music duo and real-life brothers. Ernest Iverson (Slim) was born in 1903 and Clarence Iverson (The Kid) was born in 1905.

The English lyrics for "Nikolina" on the thread are fairly close to Slim's version with one exception. The opening line should be, "When you're in love, you're in an awful TORTURE." The word PAIN is wrong and does not fit the music.

"Nikolina" has been recorded in Swedish, Norwegian and English by such artists as Hans Berggren, Anne-Charlotte Harvey, Mike & Else Sevig and Paul & Mary.

> NIKOLINA on currently available CD's <
From Sweden to America: Swedish Emigrant Songs
Paul & Mary Sing Nikolina and Other Scandinavian Favorites
Scandinavian Smorgasbord by Mike & Else Sevig

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nikolina (trad. Swedish song)
From: GUEST,Paul F. Anderson
Date: 30 Mar 08 - 08:05 PM

Slim Jim and The Vagabond Kid were born in North Dakota, but for most of their performing careers they were based in the Twin Cities. They were fixtures on local radio and television for over twenty years but only made a few studio recordings. These were done in Minneapolis not Chicago.

"Nikolina" appears on two records by Slim Jim. These LP's are out of print but may be found at used record stores or on eBay:
Slim Jim Sings Nikolina and Other Favorites (Soma Record Co. MG 1225)
The Swede From Nort Dakota (Hep Records 00228)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nikolina (trad. Swedish song)
From: GUEST,David L. McNeill
Date: 01 Apr 08 - 01:05 PM

when I was young,my parents had a record of Slim Jim Iverson,and it had a song called (The Drifting Vistling Snow).Do you know where I can download a copy of this song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nikolina (trad. Swedish song)
From: GUEST,Paul F. Anderson
Date: 01 May 08 - 06:23 PM

I'm not aware of any site for downloading "The Drifting, Whistling Snow", but you might try buying a used copy of the aforementioned album on the Soma label. Stan Boreson recorded the song on his album "Those Swedish Meatballs Are At It Again". You can buy the CD at his web site: http://www.stanboreson.com.

Here are the lyrics for the song.

THE DRIFTING, WHISTLING SNOW

Was a cold December evening and the winds began to blow,
And soon everything was covered by the drifting, whistling snow.

I found the valley of the drifting, whistling snow between two great big snow banks when I opened my door next morning. And for hours and hours I wandered aimlessly through the snow seeking the answers to the many questions that was racing through my feeble brain. Where was everything? Where was the sidewalk? Where was my driveway? My old jalopy? At last I was all pooped out, so I took a chew of snoose and scratched my head and wondered where to go. Then all at once I realized I was a prisoner here in the valley of the drifting, whistling snow.

Then my wife she whispered to me, "I've got to go to Ladies' Aid.
"Shovel out that old jalopy." And she handed me the spade.

Now the settlers and the miners fought those crazy Navahos,
But I tell you that was nothing like the drifting, whistling snow.

So I took my scoop and started where that old jalopy stood,
And after endless hours of shoveling snow all I saw was just the hood.

Then the snow began to whistling, and the wind began to blow.
And my jalopy still is resting 'neath the drifting, whistling snow.

How I left my old snow shovel lying there upon the snow
While I went in the house to dry my hands and warm frozen toes.

While I was gone the snow bank began to grow and grow.
Now my shovel too is resting 'neath the drifting, whistling snow.

The drifting, whistling snow!


As recorded by Slim Jim and The Westerners with the Honeytones
Parody of "The Shifting, Whispering Sands"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nikolina (trad. Swedish song)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 02 May 08 - 05:21 PM

See Lyr Req: Drifting Vistling Snow (Ernest ["Slim Jim"] Iverson) for a thread where the above song was requested, but not found.

For comparison, here are the lyrics to SHIFTING WHISPERING SANDS.

Parodies are always more enjoyable when you know the original.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nikolina (trad. Swedish song)
From: Ron Davies
Date: 02 May 08 - 10:30 PM

I have "Drifting Whistling Snow" on tape--from the Dick Spottswood show, referred to above. And it's a classic for sure. I'm pretty sure we have the Slim Jim version--Dick usually played 45s or 78's. My wife and I listen to it every winter--especially when there's snow. If I could figure out how to put tapes on CD--discussed more than once on Mudcat--I could perhaps help out Dave McNeil.

If you were a member, Dave, you could PM me and we could discuss possibilities.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nikolina (trad. Swedish song)
From: GUEST,Paul F. Anderson
Date: 28 Nov 08 - 01:34 AM

The Pavek Museum of Broadcasting has several photos of Slim Jim and mp3 files for two of his songs. One can download the music or simply listen to it. Slim Jim sings "Keep A Light In Your Window Tonight" and a Norwegian version of "Nikolina". Then Slim Jim and the Vagabond Kid repeat "Nikolina", this time in English.

PAVEK MUSEUM OF BROADCASTING
www.museumofbroadcasting.org

— Click on Index to this Website
— Select Iverson, Slim Jim

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nikolina (trad. Swedish song)
From: GUEST,Mary Kroul
Date: 21 Dec 08 - 11:23 AM

"Nikolina" was also recorded by the Goose Island Ramblers of Madison, Wisconsin in the '70s. I believe there are CD reissues available on line. The original recording was on CUCA records of Sun Prairie, WI.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nikolina (trad. Swedish song)
From: GUEST,Gary Wardall
Date: 26 Aug 10 - 02:51 AM

Aug. 26, 2010

I have both the tune and the words in my music collection. I play it on my tubas and trombones quite frequently.

Gary Wardall
Manitowoc, Wisconsin

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nikolina (trad. Swedish song)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 26 Aug 10 - 03:19 AM

Gary, is there any chance you can post the lyrics here?

If you can send me the tune in any format, I can convert it to a MIDI and post it here.

Thanks.

-Joe Offer-
[e-mail]

(I grew up in Racine and my sister lives in Oshkosh, but I'm in Northern California)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nikolina (trad. Swedish song)
From: open mike
Date: 21 Nov 10 - 09:24 PM

thinking of drifting, whistling snow today...
did the lyrics for Nikolina ever show up anywhere?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nikolina (trad. Swedish song)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 23 Nov 10 - 05:03 PM

Open Mike: See that button on your keyboard that says "Page Up"? Hit that about 7 or 8 times.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nikolina (trad. Swedish song)
From: GUEST,Mairead
Date: 26 Dec 10 - 12:46 PM

A fair bit on Olle/Hjalmar, including his recording of Nikolina(!) can currently be found at http://www.catfish1952.com/Olle.html

Hope that helps. Nikolina is definitely one of my very favorites, having grown up near Snoose Boulevard during Olle's life.

Då gick jag hem....

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nikolina (trad. Swedish song)
From: skarpi
Date: 27 Dec 10 - 11:06 AM

Ó Nikkólína .... we have it in Icelandic ..I am not sure its the same
tune ...i ´ll checkit out .
all the best Skarpi Iceland

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nikolina (trad. Swedish song)
From: GUEST,Mairead
Date: 04 Jan 11 - 03:39 PM

So, Skarpi, is it the same tune? And if it's the same song, not just the same name, could you post the Icelandic words? I'm sure many of us would like to know them (I certainly would!). Tak så mycket.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nikolina (trad. Swedish song
From: GUEST,Karin Kraemer
Date: 02 Jul 11 - 01:29 PM

So, My Mom, Gail Kraemer was one of the Honey Tones (Slim Jim's back up trio on the radio and the Slim Jim and the Westerners tv show) on the Soma Recording. She's passing this week in hospice, and I've been looking through pictures and publicity stuff from back then! So neat to find this disussion. She's the alto singing "the drifting vistling snows...along with Patty Benson, and her sister Judy Norman, who are still around and singing and making music.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nikolina (trad. Swedish song)
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Jul 13 - 03:14 PM

Slim Jim and the Vagabond Kid singing Nikolina in Swedish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aq487oztVsw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aq487oztVsw

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nikolina (trad. Swedish song)
From: GUEST,silver
Date: 03 Jul 13 - 04:34 PM

I enjoyed Slim Jim & The Vagabond Kid's version! The recording I remember is a rather noisy pop version from 1964, by Anna Öst and The Family Four.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4Bd2qKYPWg
But I do have earlier memories of the song - my Mom used to sing it.

Anna Öst (1910-2011) sang and played in many different groups during her long life. The four people in the chorus on this record are her children.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nikolina (trad. Swedish song)
From: GUEST,Carla
Date: 17 Aug 13 - 12:56 AM

GUEST,silver - I'm glad you liked it! My parents knew Ernest Iverson, the Vagabond Kid, my dad has hunted with him and knew a family friend of ours as well. So even though it's not at all my era, I remember listening to the cassette tapes and falling in love with it. Now, with the help of the internet, was able to find the records and buy them for my dad - he couldn't believe I found them!
Carla
Saint Paul Minnesota

Reply to:
I enjoyed Slim Jim & The Vagabond Kid's version! The recording I remember is a rather noisy pop version from 1964, by Anna Öst and The Family Four.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4Bd2qKYPWg
But I do have earlier memories of the song - my Mom used to sing it.

Anna Öst (1910-2011) sang and played in many different groups during her long life. The four people in the chorus on this record are her children.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nikolina (trad. Swedish song)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 18 Aug 17 - 03:30 PM

You can hear NIKOLINA as recorded in English by Slim Jim and the Vagabond Kid at the Internet Archive.

The lyrics are those posted above (with the exception of an error that has already been pointed out).

"When you're in love, you're in an awful torture...."