Hugo Alfvén (1872-1960)

Vaggvisa

Rudén no. 127

Print
  • Year of composition: 1937? Version for male choir dated Åkerö 13 August 1933
  • Work category: Mixed choir a cappella
  • Text author: Erik Blomberg
  • Duration: Approx. 1-5 min

Solo voices/choir

S.S.A.T.B.B.

Examples of printed editions

Stockholm 1937. CG 2906. Gehrmans kör-bibliotek, 98

  • Location autograph: Uppsala Universitetsbibliotek
  • Possible call no. and autograph comment: UUB VMhs 185:22b

Description of work

Grave A minor 4/4


Work comment

The modernist Erik Blomberg inspired Hugo Alfvén to create a composition that would reach into the next musical epoch. It is original in that the men´s parts have their say almost the whole time – otherwise one could imagine that the women traditionally were the ones singing lullabies. The mood is in accordance with the tempo marking “Grave” – serious. The song was written in Leksand during summer vacation in 1933.


Libretto/text

Dagen blir natt, natten blir dag,
ingenting giv, ingenting tag,
allting glider mot döden.
Fröet blir frukt, och frukten blir frö,
blommorna blomma och dofta och dö,
allting glider mot döden.
Livet förbleknar och blir till en dröm,
allt är en dröm, blunda och glöm,
allting glider mot döden.