'Til ungdommen' (English: "For the Youth"), also known by the words of the first line 'Kringsatt av fiender' ("Surrounded by Enemies"), is a poem from 1936 by Norwegian poet and writer Nordahl Grieg (1902–1943). It was set to music in 1952 by the Danish composer Otto Mortensen (1907–1986). The song has been recorded by various artists and has been sung at meetings held by various organizations. After the terror attacks of 22 July 2011 in Norway, it was used in many memorial gatherings and services.
The poem was written in 1936 by Nordal Grieg at Ny-Hellesund in Søgne for use by the Norwegian Students' Society after a request by Trond Hegna (1898–1992) who was a Member of Parliament. The poem is directly inspired by the Spanish civil war, which had broken out the same summer. It was set to music by composer Otto Mortensen in 1952, some nine years after Grieg's death.
The poem was written in 1936 by Nordal Grieg at Ny-Hellesund in Søgne for use by the Norwegian Students' Society after a request by Trond Hegna (1898–1992) who was a Member of Parliament. The poem is directly inspired by the Spanish civil war, which had broken out the same summer. It was set to music by composer Otto Mortensen in 1952, some nine years after Grieg's death.
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Til ungdommen
Kringsatt av fiender, gå
inn i din tid!
Under en blodig storm –
vi deg til strid!
inn i din tid!
Under en blodig storm –
vi deg til strid!
Kanskje du spør i angst,
udekket, åpen:
hva skal jeg kjempe med,
hva er mitt våpen?
udekket, åpen:
hva skal jeg kjempe med,
hva er mitt våpen?
Her er ditt vern mot vold,
her er ditt sverd:
troen på livet vårt,
mennesketsverd.
For all vår fremtids skyld,
søk det og dyrk det,
dø om du må – men:
øk det og styrk det!
Stilt går granatenes
glidende bånd.
Stans deres drift mot død,
stans dem med ånd!
Krig er forakt for liv.
Fred er å skape.
Kast dine krefter inn:
døden skal tape!
Elsk – og berik med drøm –
alt stort som var!
Gå mot det ukjente,
fravrist det svar.
Ubygde kraftverker,
ukjente stjerner –
skap dem, med skånet livs
dristige hjerner!
Edelt er mennesket,
jorden er rik!
Finnes her nød og sult,
skyldes det svik.
Knus det! I livets navn
skal urett falle.
Solskinn og brød og ånd
eies av alle.
Da synker våpnene
maktesløs ned!
Skaper vi menneskeverd,
skaper vi fred.
Den som med høyre arm
bærer en byrde,
dyr og umistelig,
kan ikke myrde.
Dette er løftet vårt
fra bror til bror:
vi vil bli gode mot
menskenes[c] jord.
Vi vil ta vare på
skjønnheten, varmen –
som om vi bar et barn
varsomt på armen!
(Original Norwegian)
By Nordahl Grieg
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Faced by your enemies
On every hand
Under a bloody storm,
Now make your stand
Fearful your question,
Defenseless, open
What shall I fight with?
What is my weapon?
Here is your battle plan,
Here is your sword
Faith in this life of ours,
humanities worth.
For all our future’s sake,
seek it, defend it,
Die if you must,
raise and sustain it.
silent the weapons go,
Row upon row
Halt your drift to Death,
Stop it with spirit!
War is contempt for life,
Peace is creation
throw your power inn:
the reaper will falter
We all deserve the world,
Harvest and seed
Hunger and poverty
Are born of greed
Don’t turn your face away
From needs of others
Reach out a helping hand
To all your brothers
Now fall the weapons
Powerless down!
If we make human worth,
We create peace.
The stronger army
carries a weight,
precious & unmissable,
cannot be killed,
Here is our solemn vow,
From land to land
We will protect our world
From tyrants’ hand
Defend the beautiful,
Gentle and innocent
Like any mother would
Care for her infant.
(Poetic English)
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Til Ungdommen
Song performance
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