Here you will find the Poem At A Banquet Given To The Deputation Of The Swedish Riksdag To The Coronation, In Trondhjem, July 17 of poet Bjornstjerne Bjornson
You chosen men we welcome here From brothers near. We welcome you to Olaf's town That Norway's greatest mem'ries crown, Where ancient prowess looking down With searching gaze, The question puts to sea and strand: Are men now in the Northern land Like yesterday's? 'T is well, if on the battlefield Our 'Yes' is sealed! 'T is well, if now our strength is steeled To grasp our fathers' sword and shield And in life's warfare lift and wield For God and home! For us they fought; 't is now our call To raise for them a temple-hall, Fair freedom's dome. List to the Northern spirit o'er Our sea and shore! Here once high thoughts in word were freed, In homely song, in homely deed; And ever shall the selfsame need That spirit sing: Heed not things trivial, foreign, new; Alone th' eternal, Northern, true Can harvest bring. O brother-band, this faith so dear Has brought us here? The spirit of the North to free, Our common toil and prayer shall be, Those greater days again to see,- As once before, Of home and trust a message strong To send the warring world we long Forevermore.
