Since the choir was established, they have managed to release 5 cds and done lots of concerts and performances. Some of the highlights of the past few years have been the Langesund International Shantyfestival, Festival Maritim in Bremen (Germany), Telemarkfestivalen in Bø and Bergenfest 2006, and they are currently doing well in Japan. Feedback from their concerts have been very good, and they think that the main reason for their “little success” is that they enjoy so much doing this, and also that they allow and encourage their guests to sing along!
Theyr mission and main directives is to bring forth a forgotten song tradition. At the same time they wish to give their audience, and themselves, a lot of fun, and experience the pleasure of salty folk music. With the old true sailors in mind, they wish to give the shanties all the power, humour and respect they deserve.
The most of their stuff is done a cappella, but they also include mandolin, flute, and guitar on some of their songs. As far as it is possible, they do their concerts without any microphones. "They did not use microphones while rounding the salty Cape Horn, so we should be able to do the same in a pub!!"
Band members: Håkon Vatle, Ronny Sætre, Rune Nesse, Vidar Vedå, Roald Kaldestad and Gisle Østrem
Oleanna
Storm Weather Shanty Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ole-Ole-Ole oh! Oleana!
Ole-Ole-Ole oh! Oleana!
I Oleana der faar jeg Jord for Intet, af Jorden voxer Kornet, — og det gaar gesvint det.
Aa Kornet det tærsker sig selv oppaa Laaven, imens ligger jeg aa hviler mig i Koven.
Og bayerøl saa godt, som han Ytteborg kan brygge, det risler i Bækkene til Fattigmandens Hygge.
Aa Laxene dem springer saa lystig i Bække, dem hopper selv i Gry den aa roper: dem ska dække!
Åa brunstegte Griser de løber om saa flinke åa forespør sig høfligt, om Nogen vil ha Skinke.
I Oleana langt heller vil jeg være, end længer i Norg min Slavelænke bære!
Ole-Ole-Ole oh! Oleana!
Ole-Ole-Ole oh! Oleana!
The lyrics to Storm Weather Shanty Choir's song Oleanna are about the singer's desire to live freely in the town of Oleana, rather than live as a slave in Norway. The singer sings about how Oleana is a good place to be, where he can get land for free and the crops grow quickly. He talks about how he can rest in the forest while the crops thresh themselves in the barn. It's clear that in Oleana, the singer can live a simpler life where he can enjoy good beer and watch the salmon swim in the river. Even the pigs are happy and willing to politely ask if anyone wants some ham. The chorus of Ole-Ole-Ole oh! Oleana! is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the singer's desire to escape from his current situation and find a better life in Oleana.
The lyrics of Oleanna express a desire for freedom and a simpler way of life. The singer's yearning for a life free from the constraints of their current situation reflects the human condition, where people often long to escape to a place where they can live without the pressures of daily life. Additionally, the song shows how music can be a powerful way to express emotions and connect people. The chorus, with its catchy melody and infectious rhythm, is easy to sing along with and creates a sense of community, where everyone can share the same desire for a better life.
Line by Line Meaning
I Oleana der er det godt at være, i Norge vil jeg inte Slavelænken bære!
Being in Oleana is so good that I don't want to bear the chain of slavery in Norway!
Ole-Ole-Ole oh! Oleana!
Oleana is so amazing that it deserves a joyful exclamation!
I Oleana der faar jeg Jord for Intet, af Jorden voxer Kornet, — og det gaar gesvint det.
In Oleana, I get free land where the corn grows quickly and abundantly.
Aa Kornet det tærsker sig selv oppaa Laaven, imens ligger jeg aa hviler mig i Koven.
The corn threshes itself on the barn, while I relax in the forest.
Og bayerøl saa godt, som han Ytteborg kan brygge, det risler i Bækkene til Fattigmandens Hygge.
The beer brewed by Ytteborg is so good that it brings joy to the poor as it trickles down the streams.
Aa Laxene dem springer saa lystig i Bække, dem hopper selv i Gry den aa roper: dem ska dække!
The salmon jump and frolic in the streams, and they even come to the pot and shout, 'We're here to be eaten!'
Åa brunstegte Griser de løber om saa flinke åa forespør sig høfligt, om Nogen vil ha Skinke.
The browned pigs run around so eagerly and politely ask if anyone wants some ham.
Ja rejs til Oleana, saa skal Du vel leve, den fattigste Stymper herover er Greve!
If you travel to Oleana, you'll surely live well, even the poorest person there is like a Count here!
I Oleana langt heller vil jeg være, end længer i Norg min Slavelænke bære!
I'd rather be in Oleana than bear the chains of slavery any longer in Norway!
Ole-Ole-Ole oh! Oleana!
Oleana is such a great place, that it deserves a joyful shout!
Contributed by Eliana W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Marten E.
This song has been haunting me for the past days and I will not stop listening. Thank you so much! It's amazing!
Storm Weather Shanty Choir
Thank you. Stay tuned for new album in 2021!
Johan Oskarsson
This version of the song really feels way more fitting for the fiasco that was Oleanna. It's a beautiful rendition, but it also has this kinda bitter, cynical edge of someone who gambled on the promises of Oleanna and failed. Brilliant work!
Storm Weather Shanty Choir
thank you for the kind words!
Rio Grande do Sul Ball
God, the depth on your voices, awesome music!
Storm Weather Shanty Choir
Thanks!
Theresa MNSOTA
Many years ago, the Minnesota Historical Society released a record of Scandinavian-American. Songs are in English, Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish (surprisingly nothing in Finnish). My grandmother grew up speaking Swedish in the home. When I was a baby, she would visit while my parents working. She would put the record on and sing along in order to put me to sleep. Oleanna was one of the songs on the album.
Storm Weather Shanty Choir
so nice to hear!
QQ1
Finnish is an Uralic language. It has nothing to do with the Scandinavian languages.
Theresa MNSOTA
@QQ1 I am well aware of that. However, Minnesota has a fairly strong Finnish heritage as well, especially up on the Iron Range. They most likely would have spent some time in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood of Minneapolis before heading up to northern Minnesota. That is why it always struck me as a bit odd as no Finnish folk songs were included on this particular album.