Ballad dancing

A documentary recording of some of the main types of Faroese traditional, unaccompanied vocal music: ballad dancing, religious songs and skjaldur. In connection with this CD, a book – which includes all texts and musical transcriptions – has been released both in English (ENG) called ‘Traditional music in the Faroe Islands’ and in Faroese (FO) called ‘Alfagurt ljóðar mín tunga’.

Music has always played an important role in Faroese society. The traditional music was exclusively vocal, and the way in which music has developed in the Faroes is different from the development in other Nordic countries, and indeed in the whole of Western Europe. The ballad song in dance form and church singing were introduced to the Faroes in the Middle Ages. Both these forms of music developed in their own characteristic way.

The dance became such an important cultural feature that it was called “Faroese Dance,” when at a later date ballroom dancing and quadrilles were introduced. Prior to that time, people talked simply of “dance” (According to the type of texts and melodies.) The Faroese Dance is divided into three groups: “kvæði,” “visur,” (sing. vísa) and “tættir” (sing. táttur).

Church singing retained, even after the Reformation, many of the characteristics which were introduced in Catholic times. These were developed in such a way that kingosangur, the name which was given to this type of hymn singing, acquired its own national character.

“Skjaldur” – the third main type of traditional music are for the most part songs, sung by grown-ups for children. These “skjaldur” appear to have a different origin. They have perhaps been less influenced by Western European culture and are a more ethnic form of music, a form that is found all over the world.

Tracklist:

1. Fruntatáttur (melody from Nólsoy) (11:54)
2. Brúnsveinsvísa (melody from Sumba) (8:30)
3. Jeg vil Din Priis udsjunge (melody from Hestur) (2:51)
4. See Solen gaaer neer (melody from Hestur) (2:52)
5. Nu rinder Solen op (melody from Velbastað) 2:25
6. Naar jeg betænker den Tid og Stund (melody from Tjørnuvík) (2:42)
7. Lov og Tak og evig Ære (melody from Tjørnuvík) (2:48)
8. Som den gyldne Sol frembryder (melody from Tjørnuvík) (3:01)
9. Et lider Barn saa lystelig (melody from Syrðugøta) (2:31)
10. O Ægtestand, Du højlyksalig est (melody from Kalsoy) (2:52)
11. Engelen indgange til Jomfru Marie (2:01)
12. Fípan Fagra (16:05)
13. Oman kemur lundi (melody from Skálavík) (0:36)
14. Rógva út á krabbaskel (melody from Skálavík) (0:57)
15. Hákun ríður í timburskóg (melody from Skálavík) (1:42)
16. Dansa, dansa, deiga (0:26)
17. Rógva út á krabbaskel (0:55)
18. Eg sat mær uppi í Hási (melody from Funningur) (0:59)
19. Eg setti meg á mín hirpin tirpin teiga (melody from Funningur) (0:17)
20. Krákan situr á brúnni (melody from Funningur) (0:29)
21. Oman kemur skrápur á bakka (melody from Funningur) (0:35)
22. Kráka situr á steini (1:43)
23. Sjúrða kona stendur (melody from Skálavík) (0:57)
24. Uppi í einum kási (melody from Skálavík) (1:15)
25. Maður stóð við stovuvegg (melody from Skálavík) (2:07)
26. Kelling liggur í durum deyð (melody from Skálavík) (0:45)

Total length: 75:03

Niels Pedersen, the author of track 3, Naar jeg betænker den Tid og Stund, is wrongly listed as Peder Nielsen on the cover of the album.

This release was funded by Mentanargrunnur Landsins & Dansk-Færøsk Kulturfond.

Released on the following formats
As CD and digital. You can check it out with this link: https://bfan.link/alfagurt-ljodar-min-tunga