Santa Lucia- English Translation

Learn about Santa Lucia and Sweden

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.