Hugo Alfvén (1872-1960)

Herding song from Älvdalen
Limu, limu, lima

Rudén no. 100

Print
  • Year of composition: Dated 9 May 1923
  • Work category: Mixed choir a cappella
  • Text author: Herding song
  • Dedication: To Leksands hembygdskör
  • Arrangement/revision: Arranged for soprano solo and mixed choir by Hugo Alfvén in 1923
  • Duration: 2 min
  • Detailed duration: 1,5 minutes

Solo voices/choir

Soprano solo (alt. the entire soprano part), A.T.B.

Examples of printed editions

Folkkörboken, part 1, no. 15. EC 411, 1923

  • Location autograph: Uppsala Universitetsbibliotek
  • Possible call no. and autograph comment: UUB VMhs 185:23

Literature

Ternhag, Gunnar: Folkvisearrangemangen, in Hugo Alfvén − en vägvisare. Hedemora (2003) pp. 156−166.

Description of work

F minor 2/4


Work comment

Limu, limu, lima is a well-known little herding song, well known also when Hugo Alfvén wrote his arrangement for soprano soloist and mixed choir in 1923. He dedicated it to the Leksand Home District Choir – at that time there was no Siljan Choir. A few days after he finished this song he composed another – Uti vår hage (In Our Meadow) – not bad to produce two standard repertoire works in such a short time.


Libretto/text

Limu, limu lima, Gud låt solen skina
över bergena blå, över kullorna små,
som i skogen ska’ gå om sommaren.

In English:
Limu, limu, lima
Lord, may sunshine glimmer,
o'er the mountains so blue,
o'er the shepherdess who,
in the woods steer herds through,
amid summer.

Translation: Annika Vallgren