Gläns Över Sjö Och Strand
Sofia Karlsson Lyrics

The lyrics to "Gläns över sjö och strand" by Sofia Karlsson tell the story of the star of Bethlehem, which guided the wise men to the birthplace of Jesus. The first verse sets the scene, calling upon the star from the distant East that was lit up by God. The second verse describes how the star is shining over Judea and Zion, while Orion, another constellation, fades away on the western horizon. The final verse explains that both children and pagans are drawn to follow the star, which points the way to Eden and the gates of heaven.

The song is a Swedish version of the Christmas carol "O Star of Wonder, Star of Night" and was first recorded in 1891 by Oscar Ahnfelt. Sofia Karlsson's version, which was released in 2007, is set to a traditional Scandinavian melody that dates back to the 17th century. The lyrics themselves have been translated into more than 50 languages and have become a staple of Christmas celebrations around the world.

One interesting fact about the song is that it was originally written as a poem by the American hymn writer John Henry Hopkins Jr. in 1857. Hopkins was inspired to write the poem after he saw a star-shaped decoration on a church building during his travels in New York City. Another interesting fact is that the song is also known as "We Three Kings" because it tells the story of the three wise men who followed the star to Bethlehem.