Kristina From Duvemala - You Have To Be There DEMO - Sung by Helen Sjoholm

[TheWaterfallprincess]

ooooooooooh i get chills!!!...Amazing vocal and musical arangement!...real music

[linakpable]

Never heard th English version before - am really surprised - it's not good, too much is lost in translation... Unusual for Bjorn & benny, they normally do a brilliant translation, for example Chess!

[Ulvaeus]

@linakpable --- Well, actually, Benny & Bjorn did the music for Chess and Tim Rice did the lyrics; it wasn't a translation from Swedish. Also, the English translation for Kristina was done jointly by Bjorn & Herbert Kretzmer (who assisted with Les Miserables etc). I happen to think it's quite a good lyric but everyone has their own opinion..

[Lillekiten]

I found these words... Like I found her when I needed. Helen says truth. Every time she sings I have no doubt that she means it... other words some words should be sang like she does. ´´you have to be there...´´is the most beautiful prayer I have ever heard... So true, to the bone, so full of all questions we ask ourselves so many time... And the funny thing is... That I thought that I am not believer...

[winnertakesall1980bo]

all i can say is beautiful and brilliant

[AJones67]

This is the first time I've ever herd of Helen Sjoholm and I'm blown away at her voice. She sings with such passion. Reminds me of the incredible Julie Andrews for some reason. I don't know why. I would so love if this musical would come to America. As is with no changes. Unlike Chess which would have done better if they didn't try to 'Americanize' it. The original european Chess was a masterpiece as well I believe this will be too.Cheers to Benny and Bjorn.

[MusicDreamer93]

Really great song!!! It's fantastic...

Does anybody know, where I can find the lyrics?

[brangwen1]

it's a good translation, thoughI think I prefer the swedish lyrics. the song still gives me gooseflesh, it's so deeply emotional!

[cajsalindahl]

Someone who knows the english title of "Ljusa kvällar om våren" from "Kristina från duvemåla"? Heard it for the first time yeterday so I'd LOVE to hear it again..^^

[maryjolly88]

@cajsalindahl The english version is called "Twilight images calling" ;)

[Felicity1247]

@cajsalindahl I'd love to hear it for the first time in its entirety! I love Ljusa Kvällar Om Våren, and I have only heard a 30-second clip of Twilight Images Calling.

[Lerahuvud]

Vad är detta!? Låten gör sig bäst på svenska!

[phille22]

ofcourse it's better in swedish. orginal is always better

[schparky2000]

these are the most beautiful lyrics I have EVER heard! Is the translation Benny and Bjorns or someone elses?

[SultanAbsinth]

@schparky2000 this version was completely translated by björn ulvaeus. The slight changes you hear in the final version of this song were made by herbert kretzmer.

[schparky2000]

will this reach the West End??

[salming112]

I prefer this version

[rivergenesis]

swedish is much, MUCH better, but this isn't too bad for a translation.

[bloomingdales5]

PLZ PLZ do someone have the lyrics to this song? i have to sing this on my audition:O

[GlennRobert71]

Kristinas trials and despair is very much accurate to the time it is portraying.. So many imigrants met such a harsh fate.. I bet this musical would be very well received in Minnesota and Wisconsin i.e. It is a masterpiece indeed.

[pziglioli]

Gosh, this is even more powerful than the Swedish version. Does anyone know when and if the whole opera is going to be recorded?

[ostattack]

When the US thinks this is good enough...

[AbbaChick]

What is the line that comes between, 'never once have I dared, never until today'.......... and 'who is to save me if into the darkness I fall'?

[paris59uk]

'all of a tremble I stand on the edge of confusion'

[AbbaChick]

@paris59uk

thank you :)

[DolceCry97]

....bellissima!!!

[AedeusLeonora]

Wonderful!

[arnoud72]

i like mijn element from pia douwes in dutch :-). but is ok too.

[MsCaptainSensible]

The truth of your beeing.......

[Elolinona]

Of course the swedish original is the best.

I'd like the lyrics for this song though, but it's hard for me to hear the line after "First you killed my child"... what is the line that follows? Please?

[Arissef]

When the life that scares begun (began)

[Felicity1247]

"First you killed my child, when that life had scarce begun."

[korsteknorst]

When her life had scarce begun.

[Felicity1247]

korstenknorst: Either way works, I guess, although "her" would be more appropriate.

[LinneaMusic]

'''when her life had bearly begun''?

[lewelling95]

xdb320x is correct. There was some trouble in picking which exact transalation was to be used... Kerry Ellis, etc. But it wass ALWAYS about her relationship with God. And anybody who has felt like Job this song is almost to much, I cried the first time I heard it. Benny/Bjorn are incredible. Highly underestimated within the US.

[14brookesme]

Benny/Bjorn, you are my absolute heroes.

[Erotomania89]

the swedish version is a bit more emotional I think... you can hear her desperation clearer in the swedish version

[ilikeurbumable]

omg! i must have the english lyrics to this! does anyone have them or were can i find them?

[starrysky247]

She really has bloomed out to a wonderful artist.she makes this verion good.

[Agneshka]

Call me crazy, but I liked it in Swedish better. I mean, I don't speak the language, but I just felt the depth of emotion and desperation with the original language better.

[stjarthalbajs]

your not crazy, originals are always better!

[MarkPMus]

@Agneshka It was very emotional in English at the One Night Only performance at the Albert Hall last night. She brought the house down! (Nothing else she sang though lived up to this.)

[cajsalindahl]

@Agneshka Like my teacher said yesterday, "Kristina från duvemåla" is good in different ways in swedish and english.". She's CRAZY in "Kristin från duvemåla" so we was listening to the CD on our 2 hour drive to our konsert..^^ I like the english version with Kerry Ellis like HELL but NO ONE can do the swedish version like Helen Sjöholm! (And i don't really like her that very much but she's amazing in it! ^^).

[Marlean]

@Agneshka Yes in Swedish (which sadly gets lost in translation) its her entire soul that screams out for Gods help.

[yelanates]

@Agneshka I think a majority of people agree with you. The English lyric loses much of the intensity and desperation of the original. That said, it would be very difficult to craft English lyrics from a foreign language, so I grant Kretzmer the benefit of the doubt. I probably couldn't do better. :)

[wct3rd]

I'll add that I agree that translating "hur kan du då överge mig?" to "without you I drown in the deep" is an unnecessary metaphorical subtlety and definitely removed a teeny tiny bit of gilding from this lilly, but man oh man is it still one of the most emotionally stirring and technically perfect musical compositions.

Benny and Bjorn rock! And I'm thoroughly confident that Helen could sing "The Hokey Pokey" and turn it into high art.

[wct3rd]

To the question of whether the meaning is translated well . . . "What is it, Lord, that you want and that I am not seeing? What in my ignorant prayers am I failing to say? Never before have I questioned the truth of Your being? . . . Never until today. . . . Now that I need more than ever for my God to be near me, do you hear when I call? Are you there after all? You have to be there . . . " And those are just the most obvious references.

[AC0018]

Oh. My. God. Helen is fantastic, as always! But these lyrics should definitely be filed under the category 'Lost in translation'. This is the showstopper, the most intense and emotional song in the entire musical and it almost falls flat???

In the original song 'God' isn't mentioned, people were led to believe that Kristina sang about her love. Towards the end, before the song's climax, Helen would scream 'If you don't exist, God' -which made us understand the shear depth of abandonment.

[xdb320x]

Well, you´re wrong about that. God is actually the fourth word in the original lyrics (Du fördrev mig, Gud). So believing she was singing about her love just means you haven´t listened hard enough... to me it was always obvious that the song was about her questioning her faith.

[stjarthalbajs]

Helen Sjöholm!

[bloomingdales5]

vet någon var man kan hitta den rätta engelska texten? lite svårt att komma ihåg hela låten utantill.

[YD8189]

The lyrics are undergoing CONSTANT revision.

[losIsak]

This is awesome, but I find myself reeeaaally missing the words "hur kan du då överge mig?" ("so how can you forsake/abandon me?") from the swedish version.

They've translated it with "without you I drown in the deep", which doesn't pack nearly the same emotional punch imo. But I guess some things must always be lost in translation.

Still an awesome song though, in English as well as Swedish.

[Clavinovaman]

May I just add though, as I always run out of characters in YouTube - Helen Sjöholm is the most beautiful, impressive, talented artist we have today. Her voice is sweet, rich, luscious, tender and at times HUGE. Really HUGE. Like the most beautiful oboe.

This is another number that can be filed under 'Helen's Masterpieces'.

G

[Clavinovaman]

Yes, sadly I was unable to attend the concert due to ill health!!!

Kerry Ellis was the absolute highlight of the show, and I only wish they had done a medley from Kristina as they did for Chess. Luckily I recorded it, and I'm tranferring it to DVD as I write this.

For me, 'Kristina' is full of really great music, and there are other songs that would suit Kerry's voice such as 'Min Astrakan'.

We are so lucky to have to have the BBC, as the creative 'guys' always do a great job.

[localgoddess99]

Kerry Ellis was AMAZING when she sang this in Hyde Park. Well done her. Fabulous dress too.

[capephoenix]

I agree localgoddess99 ... She was to me the the undisputed highlight of the show ... She was SUPERB!!!!!

[tboeke]

Could not agree more. She was outstanding. Listening to the song on BBC iPlayer again. Absolutely amazing

[greeeeeg2]

I'm looking forward to seeing my all time favorite performer singing this in Hyde Park!!!

[mooogn]

Not bad but she, naturally, sings it better in Swedish.

[Felicity1247]

I agree. The Swedish version has more emotion. That's not to say she isn't an impressive singer in either languages though.

[gapmanjas]

I just heard this song on The Elaine Paige show on Radio 2 and it has blown me away ... !

[scaramouch1]

This song makes me cry everytime i hear it.

[tmurphytm]

Amazing song!!! Wow.

[TheTowerBridgeFox]

Best Demo I ever heard.

[Elphieuk]

'Wicked' star Kerry Ellis will be singing this on BBC Radio 2 on the 13th September as part of the show 'Thank You For The Music:

A Celebration Of The Music Of ABBA'

[Denawo0301]

Wow, I really wanted to go to the concert but I couldn't afford it :( lol

But I didn't know it would be on the radio :)

[TheBjornJohansson]

There are several really strong songs in the musical. The swedish version is probably to long and to "swedish" to go directly overseas. But this song is in the second act of the musical, when Kristina has just gone through a miscarriage. In the swedish version the stage was all black except for a cluster of stars. Helene was standing alone, with her back towards the audice and singing to the stars. It is one of my strongest experinences in theater. I saw the musical 4 times in sweden.

[mooogn]

Pure magic!

[OZBDS]

Are you going to the Carnegie concert ????!!!

[kplyons08]

can't wait for carnegie

thank god theyre bringing helen

[OZBDS]

FANTASTIC!! - Been waiting so long for the english version - Great that Helen is also singing this version.

[Empathica3]

This is beautiful

[DarkmareLaura]

is this only going to be broadcast in america or is an english channel going to broadcast it as well? i'd love to see it, i have heard it has a great cast lined up...

[bowtown]

In English - at last!!!! This is great after all those years of listening to it in Swedish! This is just great!

[SupefantomoMano]

Hello!! To the rest of the World!! Sweden calling.. Well let me now hear you people. Am i right our not?! Swedes do know have to make music that caresses the human hearts and ears like a beutiful lively stream in the Swedish landscape a sunny warm july day... Dear Benny And Björn We swedes praises our creator for you two.. never doubt that you have putten Sweden for ever on the world of Music. God Bless You and Thanks for letting through Dear beutiful Miss Helen "The Godess" Sjöholm..

[rmcnnlly]

My brother in law's cousins Mattsons from Lindstrom, Minnesota were extras in the original movie: Utvandrana. The Mattson family is buried in the same cemetery with Moberg's cousins here in Minnesta. Takk for din sang pa engelsk. I loved the movie, the first time I saw it in 1978.

[thatnameisalsotaken]

You really need to improve your english...

"Putten"?

"We swedes praises"?

"Swedes do know have to make music"?

I mean, PLEASE!

[cyberkyle5]

Wow....the communication is clear enough. How many languages do YOU speak? Chill out.

As for this recording: I LOVE IT! Beautiful!

[cyberkyle5]

btw, my previous comment was in response to thatnameisalsotaken. But enough about that.

I hope Kristina is embraced by the world. I love this music. I love Helen. I love B&B and their creativity!

[thatnameisalsotaken]

@cyberkyle5 I speak Swedish, English and Spanish. Anyway, I must have been in a rather edgy mood that day. I didn't mean to upset you. Please, do accept my apology. ;)

[cyberkyle5]

Always! Good day to you!

[gluemoae]

Vafan svamlar du om?

[swedishgirl1993]

Anyone who has the lyrics??

[RastloseJahre]

My gosh...this is so powerful. I can't wait for the recording from the NYC concert!

[flrntino]

Thank you so much for positng! I have been waiting for a translatiion of this for more than 12 years!

[davidjohncooke1]

I never knew anything about this musical until this song played on the Elaine Paige show on Sunday. I was listening to this and I was like "WOW!" Amazing.

[seaviewsteve]

I too, had never heard of this show till I heard Elaine play it last Sunday, and i wrote that on another page on youtube a few nights ago that features this song...it is amazing, i love it!!! God knows why it never became a bigger show...hopefully it may still!! Good taste you have!!!

[davidjohncooke1]

It's literally been the only song I've listened to this week, it's one of the most powerful songs from music theatre I've ever heard and I've listened to a lot of musical theatre. Fingers crossed for a full production or tour of the show!

[fingal61]

Powerful song, sunged by a powerful woman.

[ferreirapeixoto71]

Fantastic !!!! Bring this to the West end. Stunning voice.

[MagnaYu]

Amazing piece, finally with english lyrics can uderstand what's it about; greetings;

[TeoTorriate]

for me, nothing can beat the feeling and power of the original swedish lyrics to this song, but this is a very good translation.

[orono2004]

It`s been confirmed now Helen Sjoholm will perform in 2 concerts of KRISTINA in NYC in September along with Russel Watson

[A8BA]

I LOVE this song. Amazing.

[sparepart973]

Does anyone have this in mp3?

[DOND192]

This is amazing - if this is just a demo, just imagine what the finished article would be like !!

[tomchris1971]

the best kristina!! the best music and the best lyrics! a masterpiece!!!!!!!

[EuphrasieF]

Oh, wow! I am hoping so much that the rumors of a NYC production this fall come to pass..

[frtr020]

WOW!!!!!! Thanks!!!!

[astagekindly]

THERE AREn'T WORDS!! TO DESCRIBE!!! HOW AMAZING!!! THIS IS!!!! ON SO MANY !!!! LEVELS!!!! (apart from overprounoncing her 'r')  x

[TangiableArc]

I can't put into words how extatic I am that this song has FINALLY been translated into English and that Helen Sjöholm sings it!

I've been wanting to share the power and beauty of this song with my foreign friends for so long, and now I finally can.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[andrineus]

it's beautiful, really, but I prefer swedish

[phhunt76]

Absolutely beautiful! Lets hope that this is only a beginning and that ABBA will release the whole show in English.

[fridaforever]

helen is brilliant!

can´t wait to hear the full musical in english.

thank´s for sharing this

[pricken77]

When I hear this new english version of this beatiful song - it makes me proud and happy that Helens outstanding voice and the beutiful lyrics can be understood by people all over the world! Thanks for sharing!

[MBLremix]

Hi Rudolf!

First I want to thank you very much for showing me your wonderful videos and music. This Kristina song touches me since I bought the swedish box in the last century. It´s one of my favourites. To hear it now in english is awesome. I love it!!!

All the best from Germany to Australia... Marc

[Izadeparis]

nice song thanks for th upload Rudolf.

Never heard it before !

[dholm13]

Very beautiful music Rudolf! What a great voice!  Thanks for the share!

-Dallas

[claxi13]

I agree, this is amazing ! - What a beautiful voice and that great interpretation !-Just in the favs !

[MarkPMus]

That is just amazing - Elaine P, watch this! I'd give it 20 stars if I could. Amazing. Anyone know when we can watch Kristina in the UK?

[EuphrasieF]

Dunno, but it's supposed to have an engagement in New York in September, so if that goes well, who knows?

[EuphrasieF]

No, it's not "confirmed", it is speculated. Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus have not given a statement on it. There was never any press release from Carnegie Hall; nor does it appear on the schedule on their website. I hope it happens, and I almost certainly would try to go if it happens. But it isn't "confirmed."

[Mackheath1]

It is on the Carnegie Hall website for late September.

[EuphrasieF]

Hmm... you're right. Either I failed to notice it before, or it's just been added to the schedule.

[roydoncrossing]

Beautiful!!