In 1941 Alfvén wrote a folk song arrangement that would come to be one of his most frequently performed works. He chose in 1941 to adapt a well-known singing game for mixed choir. The simplicity of the singing game is still there, even though he brings many musical ideas into the movement. The women´s and men´s parts sing in alternation.

Tjuv och tjuv, det ska du heta, för du stal min lilla vän, men jag har den ljuva trösten att jag får´na snart igen. Tror jag, tra la la, tror jag, tra la la, tror jag, tra la la, tror jag, tra la la.

In English:
You're a big ol' thieving rascal,
for you stole my darling dear.
No revenge could be more sweet, as
no doubt, she'll come back again.
No doubt, fa la la ...

Translation: Annika Vallgren