Learn about Santa Lucia and Sweden
St. Lucia is a Nordic holiday celebrated in Norway, Finland, Denmark, and most especially in Sweden. I was never really familiar with this holiday until last year, and I have been excited to to celebrate it with my children for almost a whole year- having discovered it after December 13th.
It doesn't take many YouTube clips to know that "Santa Lucia" is the hallmark song for this holiday. And yet, I really struggled to find an Santa Lucia English Translation that I really liked.
The problem is that the English translations I was finding did not match the rhyme and meter of the original. Many of the translations used a little more creative license than I prefer, and those that were true to the original were hardly recognizeable as a poem. In the end, I realized that if I wanted a good translation to teach my children, I would need to do it myself. So I did! And I'd love to share my translation with you, and I am open to feedback. Naturally it is not a verbatim translation in order to match the rhyme and meter, but I did my best. My husband suggested that I do a separate post on how to translate a song, and what makes a good translation, which I hope to do soon. But today I want to talk a bit about St. Lucia Day, and the history behind it, simply because it's a fascinating subject to me.
Santa Lucia - English Translation
Night comes with heavy steps through our land, calling.
Sunlight, the earth forgets; shadows are falling.
However dark the night, rising with candles bright,
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!
Though long may be the night, hope, she is bringing,
Hear now, the maid in white, silently winging,
Hushed wonder in the air, Lights glowing in her hair,
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!
"The darkness soon shall flee valleys in shadow,
Sunlight I can foresee, over over the meadows,
The sun will come again! Rise in the sky to reign!"
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!
Translated from Swedish by Tamsyn Spackman. All rights reserved.
St. Lucia Day Overview
There is a fantastic two-minute video about St. Lucia Day for Kids that will demonstrate what St. Lucia Day is all about, especially for Swedes. I highly recommend it, and maybe a few other online videos if you are curious. But in a nutshell, the oldest daughter in the family dresses in a white dress with a red sash, and wears seven candles in her hair. She wakes up early and serves a traditional breakfast treat to the other members of her family. Later those representing St. Lucia will deliver gifts to the needy and everyone will celebrate the holiday together. Other girls may dress as Lucia, but without the crown. Boys dress as Star Boys, with white tunics to match the girls, and long, pointed hats with silver or golden stars. Often little people will also dress up as gingerbread children.
2020 update- I wrote a little more about the holiday, and how I made St. Lucia Day crowns for my kids on my personal blog, Professional Mothering.
The Entities Behind St. Lucia
Who was St. Lucy? She was a 3rd-century Catholic Saint from Italy. According to legend, when her father wanted to force her into an unwanted marriage, she ran away and dedicated her life to God, and service to others. There were Christians who were forced to live in hiding in the catacombs, and Lucy had the means and will to help them with their basic needs. With so much work to do, she needed both hands free and devised a crown of candles, making her much more efficient.
However, a white-clad maiden with a crown of lights associated with the returning sun comes from the ancient Indo-Europeans. While it can be very difficult to piece together the original beliefs and dieties here are three places to look.
Perchta, or Berchta, is a goddess who brought good fortune to those kind enough to help her when disguesed as a peasant. She is the lady in white, associated with winter Yule, who brings toys and treats to good children, and would punish the bad. While she is infamous today for being a Christmas demon, originally she was very loved, and many historians think her negative side has been greatly exaggerated.
Brighid. https://www.paintingdreams.co.uk/product/imbolc__a5-art-card
Brighid is a Celtic goddess associated with Imbolc (Candlemass/Groundhog Day), however her crown of seven candles, her association with the growing strength of the sun, and her descriptions as a beautiful goddess often clothed in white, make her relevant here.
Frau Holle
Frau Holle is a Germanic entity best remembered for the Grimms Fairy Tale where she makes it snow on the world when she fluffs her bed and the feathers fly. However, her original role as the wife of Woden (Germany's Odin) make her a prominent goddess indeed. She is associated with Yule and the Winter Hunt.
Recommended further reading:
I enjoyed reading this entire article. I have always loved the song, whether in Italian by an opera singer or in English by Elvis, and have always wondered about the words — Don’t speak Italian. Thank you.
Tack ska ni ha! I loved this. Lived in Sweden for 2 Christmases in the mid 80s and LOVED the season, loved the Lucia procession. I learned many Christmas carols and hymns and still sing them today.
Thanks for the write up and especially the video of the Lucia & choir! God Jul!!
I am 94 and remember singing this song in grammer school. Born in, and lived in California all my life. Often have the tune and words "Santa Lucia" playing over in my mind (which is still good). Just wondering about it's origin. Thank you Norma
I love you too much. Am a music lover I still need to learn more. I play lead guitar and keyboard. Please can u sent me some things to learn
Thank you so much, I've been through a.dificult period.and this morning.riminised to when.I was 8 years old and used to sing Santa Lucia in.school When I looked for. an English translation I found your video You made.my day I'm sure I will repeatedly watch it.Thankyou again so much!
This has been really helpful, thank you! My daughter has recently married a lovely man with links to Sweden (in Mallorca, with a Lutheran celebrant) and the marriage was legalised in the Swedish Church last weekend in London, where the couple chose this beautiful music to accompany the small service. They first met in the Swedish Church in Birmingham where they live and so this has helped me appreciate the significance of their service and music choice.
Hi,
Would it be possible to use your translation of Sankta Lucia for a commercial cd project for a fee?
Thank you for considering!
I have a granddaughter, almost one year old and a twin to her brother, Leo, and her name is Lucia! Thank you for the beautiful translation of this song. I’ll have to memorize the words and sing it to her!
Hi Tamsyn! I sing songs for kids on youtube. May I use your translation if I give you credit? This is by far the best translation I’ve come across (I’m Swedish btw). Thanks 🙂
Yes! And please share the link when you do! I'm so glad that this translation was useful- it's very validating to hear it was correct from someone who knows. 🙂
Wonderful! Thank you! Absolutely! It will be up around Lucia so will get back to you then ☺️
Hi again Tamsyn! The Lucia video is up! Thanks again for letting me use your translation 🙂
https://youtu.be/90JbKPPaLOY
Wow! That's so adorable! And you have a beautiful voice. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you!! ❤️☺️
Excellent post! Thank you for giving us an idea about this. Looking forward to the next one
Hi Tamsyn – I love this song and want to suggest it for my local women's community choir to sing next winter. I know people would find the Swedish difficult. If I can find someone to do an SSAA arrangement, may we use your english translation?
Much appreciated if so.
best wishes
Sarah (Ealing, West London)
When I learned to play the Lowrey organ as a 12 year old, the hymn "Santa Lucia" was included in my first song book. My Scottish father would sing along while I practiced. He especially liked this particular song and it has stuck with me many years. I am now 70.
Watching and listening to this video was a very peaceful experience.
I will come back to it whenever I want to set the scene for prayerful solace.
I was taught this song at a very early stage in my life
I just love the song "Santa Lucia" especially the 2 verses sung by Helmut Lotti (i watched him sung on a video, such a great voice and he was so handsome)..
I also love the whole song of 6 verses sung by Alfie Boe…I'm not Italian and i was looking for the English translation and i was so happy to find the translation that you have done, thanx for your tremendous work…
I just love the song "Santa Lucia" especially the 2 verses sung by Helmut Lotti (i watched him sung on a video, such a great voice and he was so handsome)..
I also love the whole song of 6 verses sung by Alfie Boe…I'm not Italian and i was looking for the English translation and i was so happy to find the translation that you have done, thanx for your tremendous work…
Hello…Are there 2 different versions of this song as I don't know the song you translated as Santa Lucia but this version I know….Now ‘neath the silver moon ocean is glowing,
O’er the calm billows, soft winds are blowing.
Here balmy breezes blow, pure joys invite us,
And as we gently row, all things delight us.
Refrain
Hark, how the sailor’s cry joyously echoes nigh:
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia!
Home of fair Poesy, realm of pure harmony,
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia!
….Can you help me to understand if they are separate songs or just different versions ? Thanks
When o’er the waters light winds are playing,
Thy spell can soothe us, all care allaying.
To thee sweet Napoli, what charms are given,
Where smiles creation, toil blest by heaven. Refrain
Hi Tamsyn,
Would I be able to use your song for a church Christmas program? We are planning to do a candlelit Santa Lucia procession. We will not be recording the songs, just performing for a small audience. We have 12 singers and each would get a copy of this song, but we can shred it after the program if you prefer. Thanks!
That's wonderful! Yes, you have full permission, and the singers can keep their copies. I don't mind if you record it either.
Can you share a version with Ukelele chords? At the top?
Kds play this easily onnUke.
Thank you for your work on sharing this song! My family celebrates Lucia Day to honor our Swedish ancestors! I would love to share your lovely translation on my website and Instagram, would that be alright? I will provide a link back to this page and credit for the translation. Thanks!❤️
Sorry I never responded. That's fine!
I have loved this song since in my secondary school days. My music teacher would have us sing this song at the end of every music lesson.
Wow!
Thank you for your article.
I am planning a Carol Service for a group of eleven WI's. The theme I have chosen is international Christmas and this fits wonderfully and will be a base for a reading prior to the Carol Santa Lucia to represent Nordic and Swedish Christmas.
That sounds wonderful! I'm sure the kids will love the experience. Great memories in the making!
I love how you’ve shared both the history and the personal journey of translating the iconic Santa Lucia song. The English translation you’ve provided is so lyrical and captures the essence of the original. It’s also wonderful to learn more about St. Lucia Day and its significance in Swedish culture. The tradition of celebrating with family and giving to those in need is heartwarming. I can imagine how special this holiday must be, especially when shared with loved ones. Thank you for educating us on this fascinating tradition.
Dearest Tamsyn
I just found your translation & it's wonderful
Bless you. I came across the enchanting stories of Santa Lucia years back & felt I might Dance for my Midwinter Yoga class & my Indian Dance Teachers gathering.
Despite my reluctance to dance in public (even after 30 yrs studying as I'm Neurodiverse) your translation & deep empathy for the subject gives me confidence
There's a lovely you tube rendition with wolfs howling at the beginning, I'm sure you've seen this.
With Thanks & Blessings
Anandi
Hello Tamsyn
I was pleased to read your story of Santa Lucia and the translation of her song. She is my patron saint and will celebrate by singing this lovely melody
Carry on your uplifting writings for children and adults!
What a lovely article! I don't know if this little reminiscence of mine is too long for these comments, but your post brought it back:
When I was a girl of nine or ten years I remember reading about the Lucia tradition in Sweden, where the oldest girl in the family would rise before everyone else and make breakfast for the family, serving everyone while wearing a Lucia crown of candles. This got my attention because I was the oldest of three girls, and I thought this was the neatest thing I'd ever heard.
So I surreptitiously made myself a Lucia crown, complete with candles, out of construction paper and crayons and glue. I would do it! I'd honor St.Lucia by reenacting the ancient ritual! I was quite pleased with myself.
On St.Lucia's Day I set my plan in motion. What I hadn't taken into account was that besides me, no one else in the family had ever heard of the Lucia breakfast.
As quietly as I could, I prepared four cups of cocoa with marshmallows and a plate of cookies that I'd "borrowed" from the Christmas tree. Stealthily I stepped into the still-darkened bedroom that my two sisters shared and flipped on the light. "Happy Saint Lucia's Day!" I beamed, ready for delighted smiles.
My middle sister opened one eye, muttered, "You're so weird," and went back to sleep. My youngest sister, 4 or 5 years old, was about to do the same when she caught sight of the cookies. That woke her up fast, and she padded behind me as I took the tray into my parents' room.
They stared sleepily at me, utterly confused at the two of us offering a tray of some sort with expectant smiles. My dad, like my middle sister, was completely unimpressed and turned over, pulling up the covers to go back to snoring. My mom, bless her heart, clearly decided she didn't need to understand everything her odd oldest daughter did. She thanked me but said she'd get up in a while after a bit more sleep.
I thought, Well, I did my part, and quietly closed the bedroom door. My sister was eyeing the cookies intently, so I led her back to the kitchen table. There in the predawn darkness and quiet, we feasted on cocoa and cookies.
Your Comments about the Santa Lucia lyrics are especially meaningfull to me, as I too was searching for a good English translation of the Swedish lyrics.
I would like to share with you my effort for an honest and lyrical translation. It could be a pdf attachment to an email to you if you're interested.
— Gary Andeen
Portland, Oregon