Swedish Drinking Song (Helan Gar)

Swedish traditions: Most popular 'nubbevisa' in Sweden.

As a true Swedish aquavit drinker, you are, on festive occasions, expected to sing a good many snapsvisor AKA nubbevisor (drinking songs). For every toast a different song must be sung - which makes for an increasingly joyous and noisy party. The song here, 'Helan Går' must be considered almost mandatory at any Swedish dinner where aquavit is served.

Raise your glass of aquavit to the level of an imaginary third vest button, gaze deeply into the eyes of each person present, sing first seven lines of the song below, then say, “Skål!” Whereupon you knock down the precious liquid and, before putting your glass down, once again and with great care, lock eyes and sing the final line of "Sjung hopp, faderallan lej!".

Helan går
Melody: Helan går

Helan går,
sjung hopp, faderallan lallan lej.
Helan går,
sjung hopp, faderallan lej.
Och den som inte helan tar,
han heller inte halvan får.
Helan går!
Sjung hopp, faderallan lej!

Phonetic transliteration:
Hal and Gore,
shun hop, father Alan Lalan ley
Hal and Gore,
shun hop, father Alan ley.
Oh handsome in the hell and tar
an’ Hal are in the half and four.
Hal and Gore!
Shun hop, father Alan ley!

Translation:
Now for the First!
Sing hop, faderallan lallan ley.
Now for the First,
sing hop, faderallan ley.
And those who won’t the First One take
they also Number Two forsake.
Now for the First!
Sing hop, faderallan ley!



The song and its transliteration is from the Nordstjernan book 'The very best of Swedish Schnapps Songs' - Göran Rygert's popular compilation of some of the most common Swedish schnapps songs. 64 pages, covering 130 songs, 1/3 of the songs in English, a handful of recipes and briefs on traditions.
Call 1.800.827.9333 ext 10 to order or online, at http://www.nordicsampler.com/books/books-in-english/swedish-schnapps-songs.html 

From: Nordsjernan website

The Cottages at Good Templar Park 2014

This is the first year that we went to the Scandinavian craft fair and cottage tour at Good Templar Park. It was so much fun! The cottages are decorated in a Scandinavian theme, and there was so much to see! We brought Dominick with us (Rocco is still too little). Mormor and I almost left with buying a cottage.....that is how cute it is!

Swedish Chicago

Ever since Wikstroms Deli closed, it has been hard to find (authentic) Swedish food, in the Chicagoland area.

Here is what we have found so far (it has been A LOT of fun finding these hidden spots!).

1. Heidi's Bakery in Geneva

1469 E State St

Geneva, Illinois

(630) 232-1430
Vort Limpa, Cardamom Coffee Cake

2. Edelweiss Deli in Palatine

136 W Northwest Hwy

Palatine, Illinois

(847) 359-7030

Bundost Cheese with and without cardamom, Limpa (regular), and Potato Sausage can be found there.

3. The Gift Box in Geneva

310 W. State Street

Geneva, Illinois

630-232-4151

http://www.genevagiftbox.com/

Lots of Scandanavian gifts can be found here, in addition to Swedish Farmers Cheese (VERY HARD TO FIND) and Korv.

4. Caputo Cheese Market in Melrose Park

1931 N. 15th Ave.
Melrose Park, IL 60160
Phone: 708-450-0469

http://www.wisconcorp.com/caputocheese.html

A different softer Swedish Farmers Cheese can be purchased here. Less expensive. Bundost with and without carraway, too.
 

5. Iverson's Bakery in Blue Island

 12948 Western Ave, Blue Island, IL 60406
(708) 385-3410
Iverson's has Cardamom Coffee Cake, Mazariner, and regular Limpa. (Mazariner from there are fantastic)

6. Continental Bakery in Mount Prospect
101 S. Main 
Mount prospect
847.870.9500
Cardamom coffee cake, Limpa, Marzipan cake, Julekaka, Swedish dinner rolls, Christmas tree coffee cake


7. Swedish Bakery in Andersonville
5348 N. Clark St.

Chicago, IL 60640

773-561-8919

Cardamom Coffee Cake, Mazariner, Vort Limpa, and Marzipan Cakes.

8. Mike's Meat Market 

1. 32 South Villa Avenue, Villa Park, IL 60181

   (630) 832-1760
   

   1. Bundost cheese with and without caraway.
   2.  

   9. Paulina Market
2. http://www.paulinameatmarket.com/

Potato Sausage and frozen Swedish meatballs.



10. Mariano's Arlington Heights
802 E Northwest Hwy
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(847) 253-5439
Bundost Cheese without caraway.
Swedish Flop Coffeecake


11. Hagan's Fish Market
5635 W Montrose Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60634
ph. 773.283.1944
http://www.hagensfishmarket.com/


12. The Sweden Shop

3304 W Foster Ave, 

Chicago, IL 60625 

Email: hej@theswedenshop.com

(773) 478-0327

http://www.theswedenshop.com/

Now has a fridge and freezer- Various cheeses, potato sausage, meatballs, herring, candies, cookies, etc.

Mazariner

Mazariner are the inspiration for our blog.

Every Christmas for as long as I can remember we have had Mazariner. This Christmas however, we did not. Rocco was born on 12/23/13 and it was a whirlwind of activities surrounding his birth-hence, never getting down to the Swedish Bakery. When the Gio's came together to celebrate Christmas,mom made the traditional Swedish dinner, but we were missing Mazariner, or so we thought!
We opened a tin of Swedish pastries from an old friend of my dads from high school. And there they were, the Mazariner! Mom and I decided it would be fun to experiment with Swedish recipes and start some new traditions with our family!