"" (English: 'Views from

Ulriken Ulriken (or the older, ''Ålreken'') is the highest of the Seven Mountains () that surround the city of Bergen, Norway. It has a height of above sea level. Ulriken has an aerial tramway, Ulriksbanen, that can bring people to the top. At the t ...

') is the town song of

Bergen Bergen (, ) is a city and municipalities of Norway, municipality in Vestland county on the Western Norway, west coast of Norway. Bergen is the list of towns and cities in Norway, second-largest city in Norway after the capital Oslo. By May 20 ...

Norway Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic countries, Nordic country located on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. The remote Arctic island of Jan Mayen and the archipelago of Svalbard also form part of the Kingdom of ...

. It is also known as "", "", "" and among the public "". The lyrics were written in 1790 by the

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and

poet A poet is a person who studies and creates poetry. Poets may describe themselves as such or be described as such by others. A poet may simply be the creator (thought, thinker, songwriter, writer, or author) who creates (composes) poems (oral t ...

Johan Nordahl Brun when he worked as

vicar A vicar (; Latin: '' vicarius'') is a representative, deputy or substitute; anyone acting "in the person of" or agent for a superior (compare "vicarious" in the sense of "at second hand"). Linguistically, ''vicar'' is cognate with the English p ...

at Bergen Cathedral (later he became

bishop A bishop is an ordained member of the clergy who is entrusted with a position of Episcopal polity, authority and oversight in a religious institution. In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance and administration of di ...

of Bjørgvin). The melody is taken from an old French

minuet A minuet (; also spelled menuet) is a social dance of French origin for two people, usually written in time. The English word was adapted from the Italian ''minuetto'' and the French ''menuet''. The term also describes the musical form tha ...

. Norwegian composer Johan Halvorsen wrote orchestral variations on the melody under the name "Bergensiana". A notable performance was by

Sissel Kyrkjebø Sissel Kyrkjebø (; born 24 June 1969), also known abroad as Sissel, is a Norwegian soprano. She is considered one of the world's top crossover sopranos. Her musical style ranges from pop recordings and folk songs to classical vocals and operati ...

in 1986, when she was 16 years old. It was her big breakthrough. She performed the song during the intermission of the

Eurovision Song Contest 1986 The Eurovision Song Contest 1986 was the 31st edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It was held in Bergen, Norway, following the country's victory at the with the song "La det swinge" by Bobbysocks! Organised by the European Broadcasting Unio ...

, which took place in

Grieg Hall Grieg Hall () is a 1,500 seat concert hall located on Edvard Griegs' square in Bergen, Norway. Grieghallen was named in honor of Bergen-born composer Edvard Grieg, who served as music director of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra from 1880 until ...

in Bergen.

Lyrics

(English: 'Song to Bergen') by Johan Nordahl Brun () I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX English translation of the first verse I Holding my newly tuned sitar in my hands; all my grief left me on the peak of Ulriken. Thought of the beacons if they would be lighted, and against foes order out the marching men. Felt the calm upon me, rejoiced in my spirit, and reached for my sitar with playful hands.

References

External links

Sissel - Jeg Tok Min Nystemte (Bergensiana)

sings Bergensiana at

; Hosted by

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Udsikter Fra Ulriken Culture in Bergen Norwegian songs Sissel Kyrkjebø songs