Sønner av Norge explained

Sønner av Norge
English Title:Sons of Norway
Prefix:Former national
Author:Henrik Anker Bjerregaard
Composer:Christian Blom
Adopted:1820
Successor:"Ja, vi elsker dette landet
Until:1864

"Sønner av Norge" (originally "Sønner af Norge",) is the common title of the song "Norsk Nationalsang", which was the de facto national anthem of Norway from 1820 until the early 20th century. From the mid-1860s, "Ja, vi elsker dette landet" gradually came to occupy the unofficial position as national anthem, but was used alongside "Sønner af Norge" until the early 20th century, with "Sønner af Norge" being preferred in official situations.

History

The lyrics were written by Henrik Anker Bjerregaard (1792–1842) and the melody by Christian Blom (1782–1861), after the Royal Norwegian Society for Development had announced a competition to write a national anthem for Norway in 1819. "Norsk Nationalsang" ("Sønner af Norge") was announced as the winner.[1] [2] [3]

Notes and References

  1. Sangen har lysning : studentersang i Norge på 1800-tallet, Anne Jorunn Kydland, 1995,
  2. Viktige trekk fra Norges vels historie 1809-1995, Kristian Kaus, 1996,
  3. Norsk litteraturkritikks historie 1770-1940, Bind 1, Edvard Beyer og Morten Moi, 1990,