Nordmannen

Nordmannen ("The Norwegian") is a Norwegian poem written by Ivar Aasen. The poem is better known in Norway as Mellom bakkar og berg (Literally "Between hills and mountains"), and was published for the first time in the collection of poems called Symra in 1863. Some parts of this poem are widely sung in Norway, and the two first stanzas were engraved on all Norwegian driving licences from 1998^[1] to 30 June 2007.^[2] It is generally considered the third most important national song in Western Norway after the national anthem itself Ja, vi elsker and Gud signe vårt dyre fedreland. It was in 2005 chosen as the national anthem for Western Norway by the founders of the Republic of Gulating.

The Poem

Nordmannen has been published in several versions, three of which are recognized as official. ^[3]

 1. Millom Bakkar og Berg ut med Havet
heve Nordmannen fenget sin Heim,
der han sjølv heve Tufterna gravet
og sett sjølv sine Hus uppaa deim.

 2. Han saag ut paa dei steinutte Strender;
det var ingen, som der hadde bygt.
«Lat oss rydja og byggja oss Grender,
og so eiga me Rudningen trygt.»

 3. Han saag ut paa det baarutte Havet;
der var ruskutt aa leggja ut paa;
men der leikade Fisk ned i Kavet,
og den Leiken den vilde han sjaa.

 4. Fram paa Vetteren stundom han tenkte:
Giv eg var i eit varmare Land!
Men naar Vaarsol i Bakkarne blenkte,
fekk han Hug til si heimlege Strand.

 5. Og naar Liderna grønka som Hagar,
naar det laver av Blomar paa Straa,
og naar Næter er ljosa som Dagar,
kann han ingenstad vænare sjaa.

References