American Reacts to "Ja, vi elsker dette landet" | Norway's National Anthem 

Winner of "most played song" every winter olympics

Although it was just recently been officially adopted as Norway's national anthem we have been taught that it's the national anthem all throughout my life.

As a Swede, I feel the Norwegians' pride as if it were my own. We are a people of brotherhood.

I get chills when I hear our national anthem. It’s been sung on constitution day, sporting event, and had a special unifying meaning during the occupation from the Germans (although it was sung in secret). It celebrates our constitution and independence from Denmark. Although we were taken over by the Swedes right after. We weren’t completely free until 1905. Thank you for taking your time to learn about “Ja, vi elsker” in a respectful manner 😊

Your so open-minded and respectful of Norway... Thank you. We Love you =) Love from Norway

Thank you Tyler for this respectful view of our national anthem 🇧🇻😊

You are now the official Norwegian ambassador of America! Keep up the good work, and thank you for taking your time to do this!

Fun fact, people have to make sure that they start singing low when singing this song, since the notes can get really high compared to where you start.

Seriously?? I've been told from birth that this song is our Anthem. been singing it all my life. and it's the song that's been played at all International Competitions for like a 100 years.. I think the 2019 thing must be just a technicality

This song makes me so grateful to our ancestors who fought so that we could have the freedom and rights we have in Norway today. It is a reminder to not take it for granted, and always makes me super emotional, and proud to be Norwegian❤

As an Norwegian myself I respect you trying to listen to our anthem

Every Norwegians hav thought of this song as the national song for at least the last 100 years 🇳🇴

The "defending the land" refers specifically to the Swedish invasions of Norway. Probably the one in 1814 as it was the closest to the time of writing. But probably also the invasion of 1718 where Charles XII of Sweden was killed in at Fredrikssten fortress, located in Fredrikshald town (now Halden). It is also the only town mentioned in the song as the citizens burned down the city on several occasions to thwart the Swedish advances (this is in verse 4 - not sung in this video).

I'm almost 80 years old and I have been singing "Ja vi elsker dette landet" as the national anthem my hole life long. Having said that,- one of my favourite Norwegian songs is "Norge mitt Norge". I find that a masterpiece.

Gotta love our national anthem! Another patriotic song you should listen to is "Norge i rødt, hvitt og blått", or "Norway in red, white and blue". It's one of my favorite norwegian patriotic songs!

You can really feel the mountains, fjord, lakes and people in this anthem. As a norwegian,every time i hear it, i kind of tear up a bit.

Norway throughout history has compared to other many( not all ) european contries fought hard for survival and freedom from others since before it truly became a kingdom. We truly got our freedom from foreign powers around the last 100 years ( completely from Sweden in 1905 and from Nazi Germany in 1945 ).

This has been the national anthem for as long as my family can remember. The official thing I guess was kind of "what??? it is not official?? We have to fix it! Suggestion to Stortinget: make it official! Voting: everybody voted for it. "Job done 🙂

Having heard this anthem to the point of boredom, it was extremely refreshing to see someone from abroad analyze and appreciate it. I actually teared up seeing your strong reaction to it, and now I have a newfound appreciation for it. Thank you so much!

"Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson" translates to "Bearstar Bearson". He-he 😅. That son of a bear. In Norway he is a star😅! From what i hear he could also enjoy a cold beer.😅

This is a shortened version the full lyrics go through significant events in Norwegian history. I get chills every time I listen to it

Being Norwegian and hearing/singing Ja, vi elsker is emotional moving everytime. It's as right today as it was when it were written, and all the time in between. Norwegians have been through a lot, but still have the fighting spirit. And we're not great at showing that we love our family and friends necessarily, but we do have a great affection for our network and our country ❤🇧🇻

Tyler thank you for this😊 You prounounced it super good to be an american

Thank you for the respectful reaction to our National Anthem! 🙂

Its pretty strange, but we generally always considered this our anthem, but it wasnt our anthem officially for a long time, though people didnt really care. It is now though. The song is generally non-offensive and less "superior" in tone compared to some others around the world, and focuses on more basic human struggles, so people with a relatively wide political or philosophical bent can "survive" singing it ;)

As a Norwegian sports fan, I know a lot of foreign national anthems. They are played at all the international tournaments, and sport events. We know the American, the Swedish, the British, the Danish, the German . . . Well, all European at least. Some of them by words, but always the melody, we’ve come to know and love. Thank you for your respectful reaction to our national anthem, Tyler. You need to go back in your family tree, you might find you’re Norwegian branch 😊at least you will find your hart is filled with Norwegianness 😉. You pronounciation are impeccable. Love your reactions ❤

Bjørnstjerne was my great great great great grandfather (tipp tipp oldefar) 😅 My last name is Bjørnson. Great video as usual!. Be sure to check out Sønner av Norge as well 😊

This version is played after the King's New Years speech with beautiful footage of Norway.

As a Norwegian, i never was proud nor really cared about our National anthem, but now- when you looked like you were about to cry, i felt proud. wow. thank you!

That song is so strong . I always think of the beautiful nature and poeple. It always brings tears to my eyes. I truly belieave it's the best country in earth and I feel so lucky to be here.

I love our national anthem 🇧🇻 ♥️ i always sing it at 17 mai this song is so important it represents hope, peace, everything 🇧🇻

Amazing reaction video Tyler! You should also do «Kongesangen» or «The King’s song» in English. It’s our royal national anthem and you might find it interesting that we have our own version of the better known English equivalent «God save the king»

You made me tear up. 😘 That is how our National Antheme affects us. I think 2019 is just a tecnicality. It has been our National Anthem for my whole life, and I'm 59....., and long before that.

Fun fact, Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson in english could be translated as Bear Star Bear's Son

"The Lord (Odin All-Father) has quietly moved, so we won our rights." I love that line.

This sounds like the version recorded by "Det norske solistkor". They are very good, the melody is the standard arrangement.

Im from Norway and I love how you learn about Norway!❤

I still get goosebumps and i'm norwegian and heard it many times ❤ It's powertul ❤

I enjoy your videos so much, Tyler!

Another great reaction, Tyler!❤ You are at your best when you react to Norwegian songs!

I can confidently say for the 21 years i've lived "almost 22" i've happily sung our national anthem for 15-16 years. "Ja vi elsker dette landet" is the one recognized national anthem ive sung for as long as I can remember. Tho recognized officially then, we all have had our different ones sung. "Ja vi elsker dette landet" is the one I have Norway's a great and a beautiful place to live. Peaceful and freely living my life here. Some might not think we have a lot, but we have our respect, patience and acceptance to embrace the better for everyone. Others might be seen as polite, but I see ourself as both teachers and students to each other

Dude, very Nice Pronunced to be an American. I’m from Norway and it’s almost our National day again. The 17th of May.

I couldnt help it. Had to stand up during this reaction Tyler. Love my country

Singing of mother and father.... I miss them, they died some years ago... My father actually fought in w.w.2 Good video this.

Absolutely spot on here, you even made me more proud of our national anthem. It is powerfull and gracefull. We dont use it as much though as you americans, but close, it kind of shows up when you could expect it; our natonal day and international (very rare in domestic sports arrangements, unless if its a finale, but even then) sport events.

This is craxy! Im a Norwegian and had no idea it wasnt our official national anthem. A bit embarresed now, but I dont think Im the only one not knowing. At least I hope Im not...

The song has a total of 8 verses, although usually only the first, or the first and the last two, verses are performed. It has been used as the national anthem for at least 150 years and is depicted as such in most articles and books. "Sønner av Norge" used to be popular, but its popularity is fading. It is recognized as the national anthem from 1820 to 1864, when "Ja vi elsker ... " made its debut. "Norge i Rødt, Hvitt og Blått" is still one of the most popular national songs, widely used on public occasions. The lyrics were written during the WW2 German occupation in 1942, finally published by Finn Bø in 1946, but the melody was written by the Swedish composer Lars Erik Vilner Larsson.

...it's quite fun how you make a point out of the song being long, even though the version you listened to actually WAS the shortened version😅

Found your video quite randomly. So fun to watch your enthusiasm! I find your experience very relatable, even though I've heard it plenty of times (born and raised norwegian). Very much love this version, beautiful choir performance. I never knew this was not the original anthem. Strange to think about!

Love this song. Cheers from Norway 🇳🇴

The Norwegian anthem I feel is like Norway. Dignified , beautifull and peacefull.

Here in my hometown Raufoss, Norway we have a big firework at the late evening on May 17. It starts 11,30 pm and Ja, vi elsker is always played before it starts 😁🇳🇴👍🏻

I'm not a very patriotic person. But our national anthem just brings out something so patriotic in me that it almost brings me to tears every time I hear it haha.

It is fun to hear someone else react to our national anthem and what they have to say, because when you grow up in the culture, you get a very biased outlook on it, good and negative. So it's nice to get some fresh perspective on it.

You should listen to the newer "version" of this song called, "1814 - Til Dovre faller", its on youtube so u can see and listen to the song.

Great pronunciation by the way! A lot of countries doesn't have an official national anthem, only a de facto anthem. The UK, Australia, Estonia, and Finland doesn't have an official anthem, and the same is true for several other countries as well. Making it official is just an administrative process that isn't really necessary. USA didn't make The Star Spangled Banner official until 1931, but the lyrics was written as a poem in 1814, and was eventually set to a British tune. In 1889 the US navy recognized it for official use, and then a resolution made it official 42 years later. There really aren't several versions/arrangements of this anthem, although there are verses that are usually omitted for brevity (referencing events from the viking era, like the unification of Norway, struggles with the Swedes, and the Danish through hundreds of years, and finally getting our independence back). Even when it's performed by the Royal Guard it remains tender, rather than than aggressive. Unlike in the US, where it is often performed (and weirdly elaborated on) by a single artist to promote them, "Ja vi elsker" is almost always sung by a choir, or crowd. There will sometimes be a lead singer, but in the end it is a song for the people. The sombre, and sometimes melancholy tone of this song is the reason I love it. It doesn't brag, or promote superiority, it simply tells the story of a small nation working their way back to independence.

My national song from norway qnd he sound swedish when he say Ja vi elsker dette landed

I love our National Anthem, that’s what "Ja vi elsker dette landet" is and has been as long as I can remember, and I'm born in 1955, I don't know any other.

As a norwegian i would say this national anthem gives me chills every time i hear it, special during May 17th. national day of norway! During sport related events or other special occations :) This is the acapella version of the song, but I would highly recommend you to find the version with corps or better one "His Majesty the King's Garde" playing this one. Then i can guarantee you the chills when the drums hitting in!! ;) Also the "The Star-Spangled Banner" hits home for me, since i've got relatives living over there

If you like our national anthem you would probably like The Silver Boys aswell, (Sølvguttene) a norwegian boys choir, which "sings in" christmas traditions and about others, that's been ongoing since 1940! =D Good Video. Merry christmas and Happy New Year, Tyler!

Yes, the shortest version, which is used when we win a gold medal for instance, is only the first verse. You listen to 3 verses (verse 1, 7 and 8) in this video.

If you find a version with and orchestra you will truly Get a feeling of the power in the song AS you Get the deep sounds

another fun fact we usually only sing verses 1, 7 and 8 for some reason i dont know 🤣

There is the short version for everything and everywhere (the one you listened to), and the long version which is never used, but that is how Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson wrote it. Though most written versions refer to the verses as 1, 7, and 8.

50 years after dissolution of a close to 500 year union under Denmark since about 1300-1814, when the parental generation of the writer gained independence, thus the 1850- in Norway was filled with national pride and themes. "Ja, vi elsker" among some of the works from this time period in Norways history.

I love our national anthem!! 😍😍😍 Made me cry again! We were taught to really think about the lyrics every single time. To explore grattitude for the possibilities our relatives fought to give us! ❤❤

It's the standard choir version you're listening to. Normally, the soprano voice is sung by everyone on public occasions. The lyrics are a dated version, closer to the original Danish (Riksmål) as written by Bjørnson.

I am born and raised Norwegian and I’m baffled that we have been calling it the national anthem forever, but it only got official in 2019 wth.

The lyrics referencing "things looking dark" is due to the fact that Norway was not its own country or rather own nation/state until 1814. Since 1380 Norway was under control by Denmark, and Denmark and Norway was considered its own nation, although Denmark was the one deciding things. In 1814 17th of May (a date we celebrate every year till this day) we managed to declare our own constitution , and changed from being in a Danish-Norwegian state into being a sovereign country in Union with Sweden, at the time of this declaration we were sharing a common King with Sweden, so we were still not fully free, but it was a step in the right direction, and the declaration of the constitution is said to be the turning point. So in a sense, Norway as a modern nation is only 200 years old. We had to rebuild practically everything since 1814, starting with the constitution, then eventually the government, and infrastructure and so forth. We even had to rebuild our own language, after 500 years of influence and control from another nation the language we had in larger centralised cities around 1814 was very much alike Danish. And today we have two official versions of the our language: Bokmål (the most commonly used and the one that is most akin to Danish), and then Nynorsk, meaning: "New-Norwegian" (Which is a 'artificial language' in the sense that certain people went around the entire country to study and collect the dialects we had, and there is a lot, since there are so many smaller towns that are more isolated. Then those people assembled a language that is alike Bokmål but under influence of the dialects, so it sounds more 'native-norwegianish' In schools in Norway you have two learn both versions, whether or not you have one or the other as your primary. People on TV are obligated to use Nynorsk with a certain amount of air time, and this is all due to the fact that Nynorsk is the least spoken out of the two, it is an effort to try to save it, as it is an official version of the more 'native' feel of the country. Also, keep in mind that there still are so so many dialects out there that are neither nynorsk or bokmål, some sound like one or the other, or just kinda is its own thing. The version of the song you listened to here is in Bokmål. Hope I managed to shed lights on a few things you may have wondered! Great Analysis btw! Thumbs up from Norway!

I am very proud of our national anthem. It brings tears in my eyes every time. You should also listen to the Icelandic national anthem, it's very beautiful.

For me, Norway, New Zealand and Australia have the best anthems. The most moving to me.

Lyricks to norwegian national anthem. Nor: ja vi elsker dette landet, som det stiger frem. Eng: yes we love this country, as it rises up. No: furet værbitt over landet, med de tusen hjem. Eng: harsh wether thrueout the nation, with our thousend's of homes. No: Elsker, elsker det å tenke. På vår far og mor. Eng: love, love to (remember and) to think. Of our father and mother. No: og den saga natt som senker. Drømmer på vår jord. Eng: And the saganight that dresses, dreams on/for our earth/planet. (Repeat) No: Og den saga natt som senker. Senker drømmen på vår jord. Eng: And the saganight that dresses/blankets. Dresses/blankets the dreams on to our earth. This is verse one. Trye to finde a recording with full orcesthera and lyricks. It's truely a deep and profound anthem. Best regards from Norway.

10:38 It is GOD that wished to protect the land. (Gratulerer med dagen! Og god syttende mai!)

BTW, at events when its played people sing the nation anthem, because it's made possible to sing for everyone - not just local famous pro singers.

As a Swede I must say that the Norwegian anthem is one of the very best. So much emotion. I know it by heart almost better than the Swedish one.

Dear mr. Walker. I always cry when i hear our beloved national anthem but not now. Please don't stop the song. Let it finish playing and comment afterwards. You did apologized so i shouldn't say this but...yea. Anyway, love your videos.

I always thought this was our national anthem! I didn't know it was only recently it officially became the anthem. Pretty sure it has always been called the nasjonalsangen(national anthem) as long as I have been alive😅

I’m over 50 and I have thought Ja, vi elsker is the national anthem my entire life. That’s what I was taught as a child and never been told anything else.

Yes we love this conutry😍

I always cry when I hear and sing our national anthem ❤

As a Norwegian I had no idea that "Ja, vi elsker dette landet" wasn't the official National anthem

The song 《Sønner av Norge》. Translates to "son's of Norway ". Wich probably is baned by now, do to equality and other equaly stupide reasons. (Can not personely conferme that as a fact). "Ja vi elsker dette landet" have ben thought in scools as the anthem for more then hundred years. And being preformed frequantly as you say. (Sport. Liberation, day and so on...05.17.1814). Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson. Is one of norwegians moste known. Lyricks Wrighters, companied by Edward Grieg and equals. Best regards from Norway. PS : i'll trye to trancelate the Lyricks in the next coment.

it's about when there was peace

Norway was governed by either Sweden or Denmark from the Middle Ages all the way to 1905. This is written during a period in time where we were trying to find our identity distinct from Sweden and Denmark

At new years they broadcasted a version with the girls choir where they also had one girl sing one of the verses in sami, which was really, really beautiful.

I cab honestly not remember ever having heard the «sønner av Norge» song. «Ja, vi elsker» was the song we were taught in school as the national anthem. I had no clue it wasn’t officially considered the national anthem until 2019. That is mindblowing to me!

Just to clarify, Ja, vi elsker has been regarded as the national anthem ever since it was performed the first time. It quickly became prevalent, and today, most people haven't even heard the two other songs. As in the US, it’s used in national sports events like the football cup finals, our national day and after the King’s speech on New Year's Eve 🥰🥰

Up to the early 2000s it was the only national anthem that isn't in a march rhythm. (2/2 and 2/4 beat) March rhythm is obviously related to war, but Norway is all about peace

Allways make me cry this song!

Lovely reaction. Thank you Tyler💜

Does anyone notice that "Norges Skaal", Norway's first nationsl anthem, is 99 % identical with our 17. May-song "Vi ere en nasjon vi med"? Funny thing. It's the same song!

You are my favorit american, and i love your videos about norway and how you react to them it is amazing. I want you to listen to another good national anthem from norway, it is called, Norrge i rødt, hvitt å blått. in english it is, Norway in Red, white and blue.

You gotta see a video of a crowd in 17 may singing this song its absolutly insane

Goosebumps listening. I'm Norwegian American, and listen to both many times, but the only American song that affect me the same way is America the beautiful.

actual, the Norwegian national anthem is usually not sung by one person alon, it is always sing together in harmony

Ty again for another great video Tyler! You should watch Geography Now’s video on Norway

Sissel Kyrkjebø voice, is the beautiful voice in titanic music. Behind Celine

Official or not, we all grew up with Ja vi elsker dette landet as our national anthem. I can't think of one person that has ever said to me that the national anthem is Sønner av Norge. Every 17th of may we sing Ja vi elsker, every international event that plays national anthems they play Ja vi elsker for Norway. Never sønner av norge We are not a new country but new in ruling our country without being tossed around between the Nordic countries. We were under Denmark for a long time, then traded and given to Sweden, only totally free in 1905. So this song after getting freed from the Danish only to then be traded and given to Sweden it shows the pride in our fight against the countries owning us. But I think all Norwegians know that our tie to Denmark did not stop, we still sat with the changed language ( no longer norse after so much influence through time from the danes) and also we imported our king, our first Norwegian king was infact a Danish prince. This song also became very important after the 2nd world war as a lot of Norwegians joined in the civilian fight against the Germans. Winning our country back from their hands, yet again getting out of being occupied by a country.

Norway is a country built up on war, so thats why they said "He wanted to protect his country"

Ja - vi elsker dette anthem... :) ❤ 🇧🇻