Sylvia's Song
Calla Lyrics
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Lyr. Zachary Topelius
Mus. Karl Collan
Tr. Anniina Jokinen
And now it is Christmas in my lovèd north,
Is it Christmas as well, in the heart?
And bright Christmas candles do spread their light forth,
But up in the rafters there hangs high above,
The cage that imprisons my soul's turtledove;
And quiet are now all the prisoners' groans,
But oh, who pays heed to a prisoner's moans?
Oh shine you, the brightest of stars in the sky,
On my Finland so far, far from here;
When finally your light in the darkness doth die,
Oh, bless you that land, oh so dear!
I never will find one of equal worth,
My dearest will always be my land of birth;
My country to praise, I sing Sylvia's song;
It e'er will remain as a song pure and strong.
The lyrics of "Sylvia's Christmas Song" by Calla are reflective of the longing and nostalgia for the homeland that is so common during the holiday season. The singer wonders if Christmas is being celebrated in his beloved North as well, expressing a sense of homesickness and separation from the life he left behind. The image of bright Christmas candles spreading light to every little cabin and hearth is a symbol of hope and warmth, but the singer's attention is drawn to the cage hanging in the rafters that holds his soul's turtledove. The metaphor here is clear: the singer's heart is locked up and captive, a prisoner of memories and desires that cannot be fulfilled in the here and now. The quietness of the prisoners' moans is a poignant reminder that suffering is often hidden and ignored during the holiday season, when people are expected to be happy and joyful.
The second stanza continues the theme of distance and longing, as the singer imagines the brightest star shining down on his homeland, far away from his current location. The metaphor of the light dying out is a reminder that all things must come to an end, but the blessing that the land receives in the singer's heart is a testament to the enduring nature of love for one's home. The last two lines of the poem are the most significant, as the singer declares that his country will always be his dearest and that he will sing Sylvia's song to praise it. The naming of Sylvia is interesting here, as it is unclear who or what this name represents. It could be a reference to a specific person or a synonym for Finland itself, but either way, it is a powerful expression of devotion and patriotism.
Line by Line Meaning
And now it is Christmas in my lovèd north,
It is currently Christmas in the northern region that I hold dear.
Is it Christmas as well, in the heart?
Does the spirit of Christmas also reside in people's hearts?
And bright Christmas candles do spread their light forth,
The candles lit during Christmas illuminate every small household.
To each little cabin and hearth.
Even modest homes have experienced the warmth and light of Christmas.
But up in the rafters there hangs high above,
From above, one can see a bird trapped in its cage nested in the rafters.
The cage that imprisons my soul's turtledove;
The cage is a symbol for the author's longing to break free from their current situation.
And quiet are now all the prisoners' groans,
All the other prisoners have now become silent.
But oh, who pays heed to a prisoner's moans?
No one acknowledges or sympathizes with the prisoners' suffering.
Oh shine you, the brightest of stars in the sky,
Addressing the brightest star, as a form of expression of hope.
On my Finland so far, far from here;
That same hope is addressed for their homeland Finland.
When finally your light in the darkness doth die,
Refers to the deflated aspirations and change in time.
Oh, bless you that land, oh so dear!
An endearing expression towards their homeland.
I never will find one of equal worth,
Nothing can replace the gravity of their homeland in their heart.
My dearest will always be my land of birth;
Emphasizes the significance and loyalty towards one's birthplace.
My country to praise, I sing Sylvia's song;
The song is a tribute to the author's love for their country.
It e'er will remain as a song pure and strong.
The song will always maintain its sincerity and strength.
Lyrics © Royalty Network Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: AURELIO VALLE, PETER GANNON, WAYNE MAGRUDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind