List of Fredman's Epistles

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Francois Boucher's 1740 painting Triumph of Venus, the Rococo influence on Carl Michael Bellman's Fredman's Epistles, written from 1760 onwards and published in 1790 Francois Boucher, Venus triumf (1740) - 03.jpg
François Boucher's 1740 painting Triumph of Venus, the Rococo influence on Carl Michael Bellman's Fredman's Epistles , written from 1760 onwards and published in 1790

Fredman's Epistles is a collection of 82 songs by the dominant figure in Swedish 18th century song, Carl Michael Bellman, first published in 1790. It was created over a period of twenty years from 1768 onwards. [1] A companion volume, Fredman's Songs was published the following year.

Contents

The songs in Fredman's Epistles vary widely in style and effect, from Rococo-themed pastorale with a cast of gods and demigods from classical antiquity to laments for the effects of Brännvin-drinking; lively tavern-scenes, apparent improvisations skilfully crafted. The lyrics describe a gallery of fictional and semi-fictional characters and events taking place in Stockholm of that era, based on the lives of actual people Bellman was aware of. Jean Fredman, an alcoholic former watchmaker, is the central character and fictional narrator. [1] Ulla Winblad, based on one of Bellman's friends, is the chief of the fictional "nymphs", half goddess, half prostitute, of the demimonde characters of Fredman's Epistles. [2] Many of the songs have remained culturally significant in Scandinavia, especially in Sweden.

Map of Bellman's Stockholm, places of interest for his Fredman's Epistles and Songs on map from William Coxe's Travels into Poland, Russia, Sweden, and Denmark, 1784.
1 Haga park (S. 64) - 2 Brunnsviken - 3 Forsta Torpet (Ep. 80) - 4 Kungsholmen - 5 Hessingen (Ep. 48) - 6 Lake Malaren (Ep. 48) - 7 Sodermalm - 8 Urvadersgrand - 9 Lokatten tavern (Ep. 11, Ep. 59, Ep. 77), Bruna Dorren tavern (Ep. 24, Ep. 38) - 10 Gamla stan (Ep. 5, Ep. 9, Ep. 23, Ep. 28, Ep. 79) - 11 Skeppsbron Quay (Ep. 33) - 12 Arsta Castle - 13 Djurgarden Park - (Ep. 25, Ep. 51, Ep. 82) - 14 Grona Lund (Ep. 12, Ep. 62) - 15 Bellman's birthplace - 16 Fiskartorpet (Ep. 71) - 17 Lilla Sjotullen (Bellmanmuseet) (Ep. 48) - 18 Bensvarvars tavern (Ep. 40) 19 Rostock tavern (Ep. 45) Map of Bellman's Stockholm William Coxe's Travels 1784.jpg
Map of Bellman's Stockholm, places of interest for his Fredman's Epistles and Songs on map from William Coxe's Travels into Poland, Russia, Sweden, and Denmark, 1784.
1 Haga park (S. 64) – 2 Brunnsviken – 3 Första Torpet (Ep. 80) – 4 Kungsholmen – 5 Hessingen (Ep. 48) – 6 Lake Mälaren (Ep. 48) – 7 Södermalm – 8 Urvädersgränd – 9 Lokatten tavern (Ep. 11, Ep. 59, Ep. 77), Bruna Dörren tavern (Ep. 24, Ep. 38) – 10 Gamla stan (Ep. 5, Ep. 9, Ep. 23, Ep. 28, Ep. 79) – 11 Skeppsbron Quay (Ep. 33) – 12 Årsta Castle – 13 Djurgården Park – (Ep. 25, Ep. 51, Ep. 82) – 14 Gröna Lund (Ep. 12, Ep. 62) – 15 Bellman's birthplace – 16 Fiskartorpet (Ep. 71) – 17 Lilla Sjötullen (Bellmanmuseet) (Ep. 48) – 18 Bensvarvars tavern (Ep. 40) 19 Rostock tavern (Ep. 45)

They are widely sung and recorded, by amateur choirs and professional singers alike. The Orphei Drängar are a choir named for a phrase in Epistle 14, and set up to perform Bellman's works; they give concerts around the world. [3] Several professional solo singers in the Swedish ballad tradition largely made their name in the 1960s singing Bellman, while accompanying themselves in Bellmanesque style with a guitar. They were the members of the "Storks" artistic community ("Vispråmen Storken") in Stockholm, and they include Fred Åkerström (1937–1985) with his albums Fred sjunger Bellman , Glimmande nymf and Vila vid denna källa , and Cornelis Vreeswijk with his albums Spring mot Ulla, spring! and Movitz! Movitz! . [4] Other singers such as Sven-Bertil Taube and William Clauson used the less authentic accompaniment of an ensemble; Clauson was also the first to release a recording of Bellman in English, alongside his Swedish recordings. [5] Singers from other traditions sometimes sing Bellman; for example, the folk singer Sofia Karlsson [6] and the popular musician Cajsa Grytt. [7] Over 500 recordings of Bellman's Fredman's Epistles or Fredman's Songs have been placed on YouTube. [8]

Among the best known of Fredman's Epistles are: No. 2, Nå skruva Fiolen , No. 3, Fader Berg i hornet stöter , No. 7, Fram med basfiolen, knäpp och skruva , No. 12, Gråt Fader Berg och spela , No. 23, Ach du min Moder!, described as "the to-be-or-not-to-be of Swedish literature"; [2] No. 28, I går såg jag ditt barn, min Fröja , No. 33, Stolta Stad! , No. 35, Bröderna fara väl vilse ibland ; No. 36, Vår Ulla låg i sängen och sov , a poem of "immeasurable artistry, balance, and subtlety of effect"; [9] No. 40, Ge rum i Bröllops-gåln din hund! , "one of the wildest weddings in Swedish literature"; [10] No. 48, Solen glimmar blank och trind ; No. 63, Fader Bergström ; No. 71, Ulla! min Ulla! säj får jag dig bjuda ; No. 72, Glimmande nymf ; No. 80, Liksom en Herdinna, högtids klädd ; No. 81, Märk hur vår skugga ; and No. 82, the last, Hvila vid denna källa . [2]

List of Fredman's Epistles

Each of the 82 epistles is listed here with its number and its original descriptive title or dedication. The contemporary Gustavian age cast of characters is listed under "Mortals"; the classical and Nordic gods and demigods (and in one Epistle, a cast of Old Testament heroes) are listed under "Immortals".

Epistles
NumberFirst lineDedicationThemeMortalsImmortalsLocation, notes
1 Gutår, båd natt och dag  [ sv ]Til Cajsa StinaDrinkCajsa Stina, Jergen Puckel, Benjamin Schwalbe, Eric Bergström, Anders Wingmark, broder Berg, Christian Samuel Bredström
2 Nå skruva Fiolen Til Fader Berg, rörande FiolenTavern, Fiddle Fader Berg, Fredman Bacchus
3 Fader Berg i hornet stöter Til en och hvar af Systrarna, men enkannerligen till Ulla WinbladWine, Women, Song, HornFader Berg, Jergen Puckel, Ulla Winblad Charon, Paris, Helen, Freya Introduces Ulla Winblad
4Hej Musikanter ge Valdthornen väderEnkannerligen till Anna StinaWine, Women, SongAnna Stina Bacchus, Freya
5 Käre bröder, så låtom oss supa i frid Til de trogne Bröder på Terra Nova i GaffelgrändenDrink, Companions Bacchus Terra Nova Tavern in Gaffelgränden by Skeppsbron
6 Käraste Bröder Systrar och Vänner Til de Galimater på hinsidon den Konungsliga DjurgårdenomWine, Women, Song Ulla Winblad Djurgården
7 Fram med basfiolen, knäpp och skruva Som synes vara en Elegie, skriven vid Ulla Winblads säng, sent om aftonenMuse Ulla Winblad, Fader Berg Freya
8Dörrarna öpna, Fiolerna klara!Til Corporal MollbergWine, Women, SongMollbergIntroduces Mollberg
9 Käraste Bröder, Systrar och Vänner Till gumman på Thermopolium BorealeWine, Women, SongFader Berg, Jergen Puckel, Jungfru Lona Bacchus
10Systrar hören min musikKlingar väl vid flöjttraverWine, Women, Song Bacchus, Cupid
11Hej! sade Fredman hvar gång han hörde Valdthorn börja skrålaTil Bröderne och Systrarna på LokattenWine, Women, Song Ulla Winblad Cupid Lokatten (Lynx Tavern)
Begins "Portugal, Spanien,/ Stora Britannien"
12 Gråt Fader Berg och spela Elegi öfver slagsmålet på Gröna LundDrink, violenceJergen Puckel Gröna Lund (The Greenwood Tavern)
13Nå ä nu alla församlade härTill Brodern BredströmDrink, CompanionsBredström brothers, Anders Wingmark, Benjamin Schwalbe, Jergen Puckel Cupid
14Hör J Orphei DrängarTill poeten WetzDrink, Companions"Orpheus's servants" Apollo, Bacchus, Cupid, Venus/Freya
15Käraste min TheophileEnkannerligen til Theophilum Skomakar-Gesäll, under dess förföljelse skrifven til tröst och hugsvalelseDrink, CompanionsTheophile Bacchus
16Fader Bergström fingra ditt Oboe, blåsEnkannerligen til de Birfilare på den Konungsliga DjurgårdenDrink, CompanionsFader Bergström, Cajsa Djurgården
17Systrar och VännerTil Syster LisaDrink, CompanionsLisa, Jergen Puckel
18Gubbarna satt sig at drickaTil Gubbarna på Terra Nova i Gaffelgränden vid SkeppsbronDrink, CompanionsJergen Puckel, BenjaminTerra Nova Tavern in Gaffelgränden by Skeppsbron
19Trumslagarn kommer, flickor god dag!Til Systrarna på den Konungsliga DjurgårdenWine, Women, SongFader Berg Djurgården
20Står du och gråter?Til Fader Berg och Jergen PuckelDanceFader Berg, Jergen Puckel Bacchus
21Skyarna tjocknaVarutinnan han 1:0 avmålar natten med dess nöjen, 2:0 tyckes liksom för ögonen ställa ett slags aequilibrium emellan vinets och kärlekens styrka, men omsider ljusligen uppenbarar överviktenWine, Women, SongFader Berg
22 Glasen darra mellan knogen  [ sv ]Til de Nybyggare på Gröna LundDrinkGröna Lund (The Greenwood Tavern)
23 Ack du min Moder!Som är ett soliloquium, då Fredman låg vid krogen Kryp-in, gent emot bankohuset, en sommarnatt år 1768DrinkFredmanKrogen Kryp-In (The Crawl-in Tavern), Järntorget 85, Gamla stan
24 Kära Syster! Till kära mor på Bruna DörrenDrink Bacchus Bruna Dörren (The Brown Door Tavern)
25 Blåsen nu alla Som är ett försök till en pastoral i bacchanalisk smak, skriven vid Ulla Winblads överfart till Djurgården Pastorale Ulla Winblad Neptune, Venus/Freya, Zephyrs, water nymphs, Tritons, Palaemon Water crossing to Djurgården
26Hvar står Fiolen?Rörande mutter Berg och angående Lotta i Kolmätargränden och vad som passeratDrink, Violencemutter Berg, Lotta
27Gubben är gammal, urverket drasSom är dess sista tankarDrink, DeathMovitz Bacchus, Freya
28 I går såg jag ditt barn, min Fröja Om ett anställt försåt emot Ulla WinbladMuse Ulla Winblad Freya, Themis Yxsmedsgränd
29Movitz tag dina pinnarTill de förnämaLossMovitz Freya
30 Drick ur ditt glas, se Döden på dig väntar  [ sv ]Till fader Movitz, under dess sjukdom, lungsoten. ElegiDrink, DeathMovitz Bacchus, Freya
31Se Movitz, hvi står du och gråterÖver Movitz, då han blev uppiskad på gatan, för det kvinten sprang på basfiolen, en sommarafton 1769ViolenceMovitz
32Kors! utan glas, du ser ut, din CanaljeTill fader Movitz, varutinnan han liknar honom vid ett skeppDrinkMovitz
33 Was ist das? / Stolta Stad! 1:0 Om fader Movitz' överfart till Djurgården och 2:0 om den dygdiga SusannaLifeMovitz Djurgården
34 Ack hvad för en usel koja!  [ sv ]Till Movitz, när elden var lös i hans kvarter uti KolmätargrändenDisasterMovitz Charon, Themis Kolmätargränden
35 Bröderna fara väl vilse ibland Angående sin sköna och hennes obeständighetLossMovitz Freya
36 Vår Ulla låg i sängen och sov Rörande Ulla Winblads flyktMuse Ulla Winblad Apollo, Astrild, Bacchus, Freya
37Mollberg, stå stilla, stå stilla vid grindTill Mollberg på post vid KungsträdgårdenMusic, LifeMollberg, Bergström Flora, Orpheus Kungsträdgården
38Undan ur vägenRörande Mollbergs paradering vid korporal Bomans gravDeathMollberg, Christian Wingmark, Corporal Boman
39Storm och böljor tystna renÖfver Bergströmskans Porträt på Liljans krog
40 Ge rum i Bröllops-gåln din hund! Angående bröllopet hos BensvarvarsWine, Women, SongMovitzA chaotic wedding at Bensvarvars [10]
41Mollberg satt i paulunVid et tilfälle då Christian Wingmark miste sin nattkappa i Slagsmålet med MollbergDrink, ViolenceChristian Wingmark, Mollberg
42Ren Calas jag spår och trorRörande Kortspelet på KlubbenCardsMollberg, mor Wingmark, Ulla Winblad The club, Mälaren
43 Värm mer Öl och Bröd Til Ulla Winblad, skrifven vid et ömt tilfälleMuse Ulla Winblad Astrild The birthing-room
44Movitz helt allenaÖfver Bredströmskans och Movitz melancholiWine, Women, SongMovitz Astrild, Bacchus, Chloris, Freya
45 Tjenare Mollberg, hur är det fatt? Till fader Mollberg rörande hans harpaDrink, ViolenceMollberg Apollo, Bacchus, Maecenas, Venus
46Undan ur vägen, ge rum för CourirnHuru Mollberg skal bjuda til begrafning efter Mutter på Krogen Wismar, och om hans avfärd ifrån SterbhusetMollbergWismar Tavern
47Kommer intet Mollberg? Jo nyss på stundAngående Mollbergs återkomst til Sterbhuset på Krogen WismarMollbergWismar Tavern
48 Solen glimmar blank och trind Hvaruti afmålas Ulla Winblads hemresa från Hessingen i Mälaren en sommarmorgon 1769 Pastorale Ulla Winblad, Movitz Neptune Lake Mälaren back to Stockholm
49Mamsell Ulla, märk MamsellAngående Landstigningen vid Klubben i Mälaren en sommar-afton 1769 Pastorale Ulla Winblad, Mollberg Bacchus The club, Mälaren
50Phoebus förnyarOm des sista Ögnekast på Ulla Winblad vid Hännes återfart ifrån Djurgården Pastorale, Rococo Ulla Winblad, Movitz Jupiter, Neptune, Pan, Cupids, Freya Return from Djurgården
51 Movitz blåste en Concert Angående Concerten på Tre ByttorWine, Women, SongMovitz, Ulla Winblad, Wingmark, Bergström, Berg Eol, Neptune, Orpheus Tre Byttor Tavern
52Movitz, mitt hjerta blöder!Til Movitz när hans Fästmö dog. ElegieDeathMovitz, his wife Charlotte Cupid, Freya
53Vid et stop Öl och några SuparAngående Slagsmålet nedanför Danto-Bommen hos T. en höstnattDrink, ViolenceNear the Danto Barrier
54 Aldrig en Iris på dessa bleka fält  [ sv ]På St. Cathrina KyrkogårdCorporal Boman, Movitz Flora St. Catherine's Churchyard
55Så ser Han ut midt bland de strålarRörande Movitz Kägelspel hos Faggens vid Hammarby-Tull en sommar afton 1770MollbergFaggens Tavern by Hammarby Toll
56Se Mollberg med svart Råck och FlorAngående Mor Maja på Förgylda BägarenMollberg, Movitz Astrild, Clotho, Freya Golden Beaker Tavern
57Allting är rigtigt clareradt och gjordtOm BarnsöletMollberg
58Hjertat mig klämmerÖfver Kilberg, Bacchi man och Ordens Officiant i Templet Charon
59Hurra Courage, Bagage! God dag Bröder!Til Lo-KattenDrinking Freya Lokatten (Lynx Tavern)
60Sitter du ännu och ljugerTil Bränvins-Advocaten Fader Kulkus om något som passeratCajsa Wingmark Freya, Themis
61Kära Mor!Til K. Mor på FyrkantenMovitzFyrkanten Tavern
62Movitz Valdthornet proberarAngående sista Balen på Gröna LundMovitz, Christian Wingmark Bible: David and Goliath, Ahasuerus, Esther, Noah Gröna Lund pleasure gardens
63 Fader Bergström, stäm up och klinga Diktad midt i veckanDance, DrinkingFader Bergström, Fredman
64Fäll dina ögon och skäms nu din tåssaRörande sista Balen hos Frömans i Horns-KrokenMovitz Freya Horns-Kroken Tavern
65Movitz med flor om armen, hålt!Om Styrmans-Dottren Gretgens död på FabrikenMovitz, Gretgen Charon, Freya
66Se hvar Movitz sitter därTil Movitz MålareMovitz Freya, Astrild
67Fader Movitz, Bror!Til Mutter på TuppenWine, Women, SongMovitz Freya Tuppen (The Cock Tavern)
68Movitz, i afton står BalnAngående sista balen på GrönlundWine, Women, SongMovitz, madam Wingmark Bacchus, Chloris Grönlund Tavern
69Se Dansmästarn Mollberg, BröderOm Mollberg DansmästareDance, LifeMollberg, Ulla Winblad
70Movitz vik mössan högt öfver öraOm något som passerade i Artilleri-Lägret Anno 1773Movitz, Ulla Winblad
71 Ulla! min Ulla! säj får jag dig bjuda Till Ulla i fönstret på Fiskartorpet Pastorale Ulla Winblad Fiskartorpet
72 Glimmande Nymf! blixtrande öga! Lämnad vid Cajsa Lisas säng, sent om en aftonMuseCajsa Lisa Freya, Jupiter
73 Fan i Fauteuillerna! stolarna kullra  [ sv ]Angående Jergen som förskref sig til FanDrink, LifeMovitz
74Min Son!Om Bergströmskans PorträtMovitz
75Skratta mina barn och vännerTil sin Rival Fader Movitz, på Cajsa Lisas NamnsdagMovitz, Cajsa Lisa
76Se Hans Jergen hur han sig bockarTil Mutter på Wismar, rörande Hans Jergen, då han blev utpiskad ifrån BalenHans JergenWismar Tavern
77Klang mina Flickor! se skyarna glimmaAngående Jungfru Sophia på Lokatten och om något som passeratFredman, MollbergBacchusLokatten (Lynx Tavern)
78Knapt Jeppe hant ur gluggen gå insom är et Fägne-Spel på Fader Didriks Namnsdag år 1780
79 Charon i Luren tutar Afsked til Matronorna, synnerligen til Mor Maja Myra i Solgränden vid Stortorget, Anno 1785DeathMor Maja Myra Charon, Eolus Solgränden by Stortorget
80 Liksom en Herdinna, högtids klädd Angående Ulla Winblads Lustresa til Första Torpet, utom Kattrumps Tullen Pastorale Ulla Winblad, Mollberg Flora, Jupiter Första Torpet, outside Kattrump Tollgate
81 Märk hur vår skugga, märk Movitz Mon Frère!Til Grälmakar Löfberg i Sterbhuset vid Danto bommenDeathGrälmakar Löfberg, Movitz Charon Sterbhuset by Danto Barrier
82 Hvila vid denna källa Eller Oförmodade Afsked, förkunnadt vid Ulla Winblads Frukost en sommar-morgon i det gröna Pastorale Ulla Winblad, Fredman Bacchus, Clotho, Charon, Eolus, Freya

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<i>Fredmans epistlar</i> Book of songs by Carl Michael Bellman

Fredmans epistlar is a collection of 82 poems set to music by Carl Michael Bellman, a major figure in Swedish 18th century song. Though first published in 1790, it was created over a period of twenty years from 1768 onwards. A companion volume, Fredmans sånger was published the following year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solen glimmar blank och trind</span> Song by the 18th century Swedish bard Carl Michael Bellman

Solen glimmar blank och trind is Epistle No. 48 in the Swedish poet and performer Carl Michael Bellman's 1790 song collection, Fredman's Epistles. The Epistle is subtitled "Hvaruti afmålas Ulla Winblads hemresa från Hessingen i Mälaren en sommarmorgon 1769". One of his best-known and best-loved works, it depicts an early morning on Lake Mälaren, as the Rococo muse Ulla Winblad sails back home to Stockholm after a night spent partying on the lake. The composition is one of Bellman's two Bacchanalian lake-journeys, along with epistle 25, representing a venture into a social realism style.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ulla! min Ulla! Säj får jag dig bjuda</span> Song by the 18th century Swedish bard Carl Michael Bellman

Ulla! min Ulla! säj, får jag dig bjuda, is one of the Swedish poet and performer Carl Michael Bellman's best-known and best-loved songs, from his 1790 collection, Fredman's Epistles, where it is No. 71. A pastorale, it depicts the Rococo muse Ulla Winblad, as the narrator offers her "reddest strawberries in milk and wine" in the Djurgården countryside north of Stockholm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hvila vid denna källa</span> Song by the 18th century Swedish bard Carl Michael Bellman

Hvila vid denna källa is a song by the Swedish poet and performer Carl Michael Bellman from his 1790 collection, Fredman's Epistles, where it is No. 82, the final Epistle. It is subtitled "Eller Oförmodade avsked, förkunnat vid Ulla Winblads frukost en sommarmorgon i det gröna. Pastoral dedicerad till Kgl. Sekreteraren Leopoldt" . It depicts the Rococo muse Ulla Winblad, as the narrator offers a "little breakfast" of "red wine with burnet, and a newly-shot snipe" in a pastoral setting in the Stockholm countryside.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bröderna fara väl vilse ibland</span> Song by the 18th century Swedish bard Carl Michael Bellman

Bröderna fara väl vilse ibland, is a song by the Swedish poet and performer Carl Michael Bellman, from his 1790 collection, Fredman's Epistles, where it is No. 35. The epistle is subtitled "Angående sin Sköna och hännes obeständighet.". The first verse ends "My girl has forgotten me, I'll die faithful. Night and day in drunkenness, shall all my sorrow pass away."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fader Berg i hornet stöter</span> 18th century Swedish song

Fader Berg i hornet stöter is Epistle No. 3 in the Swedish poet and performer Carl Michael Bellman's 1790 song collection, Fredman's Epistles. The epistle is subtitled "Till en och var av systrarna, men enkannerligen till Ulla Winblad". One of his best-known works, it is both about and mimics the rhythm of playing the horn, while Fredman enjoys the sight of Ulla Winblad dancing in a ruffled dress.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Käraste Bröder Systrar och Vänner</span> Song by the 18th century Swedish bard Carl Michael Bellman

Käraste Bröder Systrar och Vänner is Epistle No. 9 in the Swedish poet and performer Carl Michael Bellman's 1790 song collection, Fredman's Epistles. The epistle is subtitled with the dedication "Til Gumman på Thermopolium Boreale och hännes Jungfrur.", Barbara Ekenberg. It describes the fictional Jean Fredman's cheerful world of brandy, women, and dance, in the setting of a tavern which is halfway to a brothel. The song ends with Fredman's credo, a celebration of everything that is delightful in life.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blåsen nu alla</span> Song by the 18th century Swedish bard Carl Michael Bellman

Blåsen nu alla, "All blow now!", is one of the Swedish poet and performer Carl Michael Bellman's best-known and best-loved songs, from his 1790 collection, Fredman's Epistles, where it is No. 25. It is a pastorale, based on François Boucher's rococo 1740 painting Triumph of Venus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glimmande nymf</span> Song by the 18th century Swedish bard Carl Michael Bellman

Glimmande nymf, is a song by the Swedish poet and performer Carl Michael Bellman from his 1790 collection, Fredman's Epistles, where it is No. 72. It is subtitled "Lemnad vid Cajsa Lisas Säng, sent om en afton", and set to a melody by Egidio Duni. A night-piece, it depicts a Rococo muse in the Ulla Winblad mould, asleep in her bed in Stockholm, complete with allusions to both classical and Nordic mythology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liksom en Herdinna, högtids klädd</span> Song by the 18th century Swedish bard Carl Michael Bellman

Liksom en Herdinna, högtids klädd, is a song by the Swedish poet and performer Carl Michael Bellman from his 1790 collection, Fredman's Epistles, where it is No. 80. The Epistle is subtitled "Angående Ulla Winblads Lustresa til Första Torpet, utom Kattrumps Tullen". It is a pastorale, starting with a near-paraphrase of Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux's French guide to the construction of pastoral verse. That doesn't prevent the supposed shepherd and shepherdess from falling into bed drunk at the end of the song. It has been described as lovelier in Swedish than in Boileau's original French. The epistle's humorous depiction of the human condition has been praised by critics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vår Ulla låg i sängen och sov</span> 1790 song by Swedish bard Carl Michael Bellman

Vår Ulla låg i sängen och sov is Epistle No. 36 in the Swedish poet and performer Carl Michael Bellman's 1790 song collection, Fredman's Epistles. The epistle is subtitled "Rörande Ulla Winblad's flykt". It begins with the innkeeper peeping through the keyhole to her bedroom and whispering with his friends as she sleeps, slowly waking up. Then she dresses ornately and enters the tavern, delighting the menfolk until she is suddenly arrested.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gråt Fader Berg och spela</span> Song by the 18th century Swedish bard Carl Michael Bellman

Gråt Fader Berg och spela is No. 12 in the Swedish poet and performer Carl Michael Bellman's 1790 song collection, Fredman's Epistles. The epistle is subtitled "Elegi över Slagsmålet på Gröna Lund". It is a lament over a pub brawl, caused by Fredman's drinking a soldier's beer and dancing with someone else's girlfriend. Set to the melody from the aria "The flocks shall leave the mountains" in George Frideric Handel's opera Acis and Galatea, it is the best-known of his poems describing the consequences of brandy-drinking. Bellman used the contrast between the romantic associations of the melody and the brutal reality of heavy drinking to humorous effect.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ge rum i Bröllopsgåln din hund!</span> Song by the 18th century Swedish bard Carl Michael Bellman

Ge rum i Bröllopsgåln din hund! is Epistle No. 40 in the Swedish poet and performer Carl Michael Bellman's 1790 song collection, Fredman's Epistles. One of his best-known works, it describes an utterly chaotic wedding at a venue where soldiers mixed up with musicians and the wedding-party; the chimney catches fire, and even the priest robs the collection. The verse-pattern and elaborate rhyming scheme combine to assist the feeling of chaos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stolta Stad!</span> Song and speech by the 18th century Swedish bard Carl Michael Bellman

Stolta stad! is Epistle No. 33 in the Swedish poet and performer Carl Michael Bellman's 1790 song collection, Fredman's Epistles. One of his best-known works, it combines both spoken and sung sections. In the spoken sections, Bellman, as composer and as performer, imitates a whole crowd of people of many descriptions. It has been described as Swedish literature's most congenial portrait of the country's capital city, Stockholm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Movitz blåste en konsert</span> Song by the 18th century Swedish bard Carl Michael Bellman

Movitz blåste en konsert is epistle No. 51 in the Swedish poet and performer Carl Michael Bellman's 1790 song collection, Fredman's Epistles. The epistle is subtitled "Angående konserten på Tre Byttor", naming a restaurant in Stockholm's Djurgården park. It was written after Bellman had become a court musician to the new King Gustav III in 1773. The melody was borrowed from George Frideric Handel's 1718 opera, Acis and Galatea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tjenare Mollberg, hur är det fatt?</span> Song by the 18th century Swedish bard Carl Michael Bellman

Tjenare Mollberg, hur är det fatt? is No. 45 in the Swedish poet and performer Carl Michael Bellman's 1790 song collection, Fredman's Epistles. The epistle is subtitled "Till fader Mollberg rörande hans harpa, och tillika et slags ad notitiam at Mollberg led oskyldigt på Krogen Rostock" ; the song is sometimes known under this name. It describes a fight in a tavern that starts when Mollberg innocently plays a Polska on his harp, leading his audience to assume it was propaganda for Poland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fader Bergström</span> Song by the 18th century Swedish bard Carl Michael Bellman

Fader Bergström, stäm upp och klinga is one of the Swedish poet and performer Carl Michael Bellman's songs, from his 1790 collection, Fredman's Epistles, where it is No. 63. The melody is based on a minuet by Carl Envallsson. Bergström was a musician, and the song celebrates dancing and drinking late into the evening. The song, written in 1773, was revised heavily to make it suitable for publication. The initial version, naming Movitz not Bergström as the musician, was an attack on an over-zealous priest who had caused Bellman to be summonsed for an earlier poem that had joked about salvation. The song has been recorded by Bellman interpreters including Fred Åkerström, Fredrik Berg, and Rolf Leanderson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nå skruva Fiolen</span> 1790 epistle by Carl Michael Bellman

Nå skruva fiolen is Epistle No. 2 in the Swedish poet and performer Carl Michael Bellman's 1790 song collection, Fredman's Epistles. The epistle is subtitled "Till fader Berg, rörande fiolen". It is both about and mimicking the rhythm of playing the violin. The scholar Lars Lönnroth comments that Bellman used the resemblance of a cello to a woman's body, certainly pretending to play it as such for laughs, while the use of words like "screw" in the lyrics was similarly explicitly obscene. The Bellman interpreter Fred Åkerström recorded the song on his 1974 album Glimmande nymf.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fram med basfiolen, knäpp och skruva</span> Song by the 18th century Swedish bard Carl Michael Bellman

Fram med basfiolen, knäpp och skruva is Epistle No. 7 in the Swedish poet and performer Carl Michael Bellman's 1790 song collection, Fredman's Epistles. The epistle is subtitled "Som synes vara en elegi, skriven vid Ulla Winblads sang, sent om en afton". It describes an attempt by Jean Fredman to make love to Ulla Winblad, set to a tune from a French operetta, narrated with a combination of biblical allusion and suggestive metaphor. The mention of elegy implies that the song is about death, but the subtext is of the "little death" or female orgasm. Scholars have remarked the epistle's ambiguity, enabling it to work both on a high mythological level and a low worldly level. Similarly, the musician's cello serves both as a musical instrument and as a symbol for Ulla Winblad's body, allowing the singer to mime plucking strings and feeling a woman's body.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Värm mer Öl och Bröd</span> Song by the 18th century Swedish bard Carl Michael Bellman

Värm mer Öl och Bröd is epistle No. 43 in the Swedish poet and performer Carl Michael Bellman's 1790 song collection, Fredman's Epistles. The epistle, dated 14 November 1771, is subtitled "Till Ulla Winblad, skrifven vid et ömt tilfälle". The source of the melody has not been traced.

References

  1. 1 2 "Fredmans epistlar" [Fredman's Epistles]. Bellman.net (in Swedish). Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 Britten Austin 1967 , pp. 60–93
  3. "Orphei Drängar". Orphei Drängar . Retrieved 17 March 2016.
  4. Hassler & Dahl 1989, pp. 284–285.
  5. Britten Austin 1967, p. 180.
  6. "Visor från vinden". Sonloco.com. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
  7. "Glimmande Nymf tolkad av Kajsa Grytt". Stockholms stad. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
  8. "Carl Michael Bellman". YouTube . Retrieved 17 March 2016.
  9. Britten Austin 1967, pp. 82–84.
  10. 1 2 Massengale 1979 , p. 112

Sources