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LAST NIGHT I DREAMED A DREAM...

Last night I dreamed a dream... So begins the Scandinavian song Drømte Mig en Drøm i nat, which is possibly the oldest Danish song of which there is a written record and which, originally, was found in Denmark with the first notes of this melody engraved on a piece of wood.

In the 13th century a scribe wrote the Codex Runicus, using the Norse runic script. On the last page appeared the first two verses of a popular ballad: "Last night I dreamed a dream, of silk and fine furs..." The second phrase has been the cause of differing opinions from the very beginning, as its translation is unclear. Some say it means 'silk and fine furs', others say its translation is 'equality and honest measure'. This second version being the one that is closer to the rest of the texts of the Codex Runicus. The confusion comes from the Danish translation and its relation to Norwegian, Swedish and Old Norse.

In 1945 Erik Bertelsen and Povl Hamburger wrote the rest of the melody. The lyrics speak of a dream, a frustrated dream, but a dream that is still there when morning comes. It reminds me of the Cinderella story. Cinderella had a happy ending. I have a dream too. I dream that the person who wrote that tune hundreds of years ago, got to make her dream come true. That frustration turned into strength to fulfill her dream...

What do you dream about?

What is your dream?

I hope that, like the author of that melody in my dream, you have the strength to make all your dreams come true. There are many versions of this ballad but I recommend you to listen to the one by DR Pigekoret & Pernille Rosendahl, I hope you enjoy it!


 
 
 

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