I greet you, my Nordland's inhabitants, friends,
From host of the house to the poor hired man,
Be greeted my people of Nordland.
If you should inquire of the climate and sky,
Then know what no northerner here can deny,
It gives us the sorest of trials,
The fish in the water our livelihood is;
If he stays away, then our lives are amiss;
We sigh in distress and in terror.
It seems that, far out on the edge of the earth,
old nature has found its good way to give birth
To rare and to splendid abundance.
A thousand farewells, and my thanks for the walk!
And herewith conclude I my nordlandish talk.
My rooster, be done with your crowing!
If every pore of my being
were filled with sweet music alone,
with songs that rose up like an anthem
resounding around heaven's throne,
I could never express enough praise,
never thank God enough for the treasure
I find in his kingdom of grace.My praises I bring to your altar
O Father and Lord of us all.
I thank you for counting me worthy
to be among those whom you call.
In your house I was given my place,
I was chosen to live in your presence,
at home in your kingdom of grace.You founded your Church here among us
secure on the rock of your love.
Your purpose you work in and through us
and bless us from heaven above.
In this house let your Gospel be heard,
let us seek you and faithfully follow
the light that shines forth from your Word.Let fountains of life-giving water
spring freely here, never to cease!
Let nations join in our rejoicing!
Let history flow on in peace!
Let our Saviour his people prepare,
so we all find our way to your mercy,
embraced by your fatherly care.We praise you, Lord God, the Almighty!
Our past and our future you see.
As long as we live you will guard us,
wherever on earth we may be.
And when we are all gone without trace,
you will hear that new voices are singing
new songs to your glory and praise!
