A snapsvisa (
Swedish, plural: snapsvisor) is a traditional
Scandinavia
Scandinavia; Sámi languages: /. ( ) is a subregion in Northern Europe, with strong historical, cultural, and linguistic ties between its constituent peoples. In English usage, ''Scandinavia'' most commonly refers to Denmark, Norway, and Swe ...
n
drinking song
A drinking song is a song sung while drinking alcohol. Most drinking songs are folk songs or commercium songs, and may be varied from person to person and region to region, in both the lyrics and in the music.
In Germany, drinking songs are c ...
, which is often sung before drinking a small shot of
spirit that is called a ''
snaps''.
A typical snapsvisa is a short, vigorous song; its lyrics usually tell of the delicacy and glory of the drink, or of the singer’s craving for
snaps. Snapsvisor are short, bright, and easy to learn. The most well-known snapsvisa in Sweden is
Helan Går
Helan går is a popular Swedish drinking song, or snapsvisa. ''Helan'' ("the whole") is an expression signifying the first (small) glass of spirit (commonly akvavit or vodka) in a series, and ''går'' means "goes (down)"; loosely translated as, " ...
.
Snapsvisor are an important part of traditional and family festivities in
Sweden,
Norway
Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe, the mainland territory of which comprises the western and northernmost portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula. The remote Arctic island of Jan Mayen and t ...
,
Denmark
)
, song = ( en, "King Christian stood by the lofty mast")
, song_type = National and royal anthem
, image_map = EU-Denmark.svg
, map_caption =
, subdivision_type = Sovereign state
, subdivision_name = Kingdom of Denmark
, establishe ...
, and among
Swedish-speaking Finns
The Swedish-speaking population of Finland (whose members are called by many names; fi, suomenruotsalainen) can be used as an attribute., group=Note—see below; sv, finlandssvenskar; fi, suomenruotsalaiset) is a linguistic minority in Finl ...
. The singing of these drinking songs is also a lively part of Scandinavian student culture. In some cases universities even have detailed explanations for foreign students on how to sing during formal dinners.
They are also widespread among monolingually Finnish students in
Finland
Finland ( fi, Suomi ; sv, Finland ), officially the Republic of Finland (; ), is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It shares land borders with Sweden to the northwest, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east, with the Gulf of Bo ...
, although they are rarely met with elsewhere in Finnish
drinking culture
Drinking culture is the set of traditions and social behaviors that surround the consumption of alcoholic beverages as a recreational drug and social lubricant. Although alcoholic beverages and social attitudes toward drinking vary around the w ...
.
See also
*
Drinking culture
Drinking culture is the set of traditions and social behaviors that surround the consumption of alcoholic beverages as a recreational drug and social lubricant. Although alcoholic beverages and social attitudes toward drinking vary around the w ...
*
Drinking song
A drinking song is a song sung while drinking alcohol. Most drinking songs are folk songs or commercium songs, and may be varied from person to person and region to region, in both the lyrics and in the music.
In Germany, drinking songs are c ...
*
Snaps
*
Helan går
Helan går is a popular Swedish drinking song, or snapsvisa. ''Helan'' ("the whole") is an expression signifying the first (small) glass of spirit (commonly akvavit or vodka) in a series, and ''går'' means "goes (down)"; loosely translated as, " ...
References
{{Reflist
External links
Drinking song – snapsvisaDrinking songs at The Historical Museum of Wines and Spirits
Drinking songs
Alcohol in Sweden
Swedish folk songs
Songs about alcohol