Mitt hjerte alltid vanker (My Heart Will Always Wander) - SATB Choir - Clark William Lawlor

**To see the English translation, please turn on subtitles/CC

Arrangement by Clark William Lawlor
Commissioned by Ensemble Dalí of Kristiansund, Norway for their 2024 holiday concert season.

Recording made by the Rocky Mountain Chamber Choir - Virtual Singers ‪@rockymountainchamberchoir‬

A traditional Norwegian Christmas song, "Mitt hjerte alltid vanker" is reverent and reflective with a haunting sense of wonder. Although the words do not reflect my personal beliefs, they are very powerful: a sincere expression of love and devotion, almost more like a love song than a liturgical hymn.

Sheet music available at:
https://www.clarkwilliamlawlor.com/st...

Text:
Mitt hjerte alltid vanker
i Jesu føderom,
der samles mine tanker
som i sin hovedsum.
Der er min lengsel hjemme,
der har min tro sin skatt;
jeg kan deg aldri glemme
velsignet julenatt!

Akk, kom jeg opp vil lukke
mitt hjerte og mitt sinn
og full av lengsel sukke:
Kom, Jesus, dog herinn!
Det er ei fremmed bolig,
du har den selv jo kjøpt,
så skal du blive trolig
her i mitt hjerte svøpt.

Jeg gjerne palemgrene
vil om din krybbe strø,
for deg, for deg alene
jeg leve vil og dø.
Kom, la min sjel dog finne
sin rette gledes stund,
at du er født herinne
i hjertets dype grunn.

English Translation:
My heart will always wander
To where our Lord was born,
My thoughts will always go there
And take on their true form.
My longing does belong there,
With the treasure of my faith;
I never shall forget you,
O blessed Christmas night!

Oh come, and I will open
My heart and my mind
And sigh with longing,
Enter, Jesus
For this home is your own,
You bought it for yourself
So I will remain faithful,
With you here in my heart.

I’ll willingly spread branches
Of palms around your bed.
For you and you alone
I will gladly live and die.
Come, let my soul find joy
In this moment of delight:
To see you born right here,
Deep inside my loving heart.