Firstpublished:2005 Description: Choral work (Christmas carol for 2. day of Christmas) based on a folksong from Nagu in the archipelago in the southwest of Finland. This "Staffansvisa" was notated in 1921 by. G.Dahlström after Carl Lundström who was born 1851 in Nötö in Nagu. Songs based on the legends around Staffan (Stephanos the first Deacon and martyr) are among the most numerous "Mideaval ballads" of Sweden and the swedish speaking parts of Finland. Medieval legends tell that Stephanos/ Staffan was a groom at the stables of King Herod. On Christmas morning Staffan saw the Star/stars in a well and knew that Christ the savior was born. Later Staffan/ Stephanos became a desciple of Christ and was elected the first deacon.
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Original text and translations
Swedish text
1.
Sankte Staffan en sannerlig man
Troen så väl uppå han!
Och för vår Herres vilja pintes han. (1)
Troen så väl uppå han!
2.
Och honom de pinte och krönte honom en sten. (2)
I Rom han var en lustig
dräng och ingen köresven.
Och det var Sankte Staffan.
3.
Och Staffan han vattnade fålarna fem.
Troen så väl uppå han
Herodes Konungen råder över dem.
Ty vår Staffan han vare vår styre och rådeman.
4.
Och Staffan han lutar sig i käldone neder.
Troen så väl uppå han!
Tre Ljusa stjärnor såg han där neder.
Ty vår Staffan vare vår styre och rådeman
5.
Och Staffan gick hem och han sade därvid:
Troen så väl uppå han!
Tre Ljusa stjärnor i käldone satt.
Ty vår Staffan han vare vår styre och rådeman.
6.
Guds son är född i Betlehems stad.
Troen så väl uppå han.
Så vare nu var Kristtrogen glad.
Ty vår Kristus han vare vår styre och rådeman.
Så sade Sankte Staffan. (3)
Notes 1. Originaltexten: Och efter Herrens vilja pinte judan han. 2. Org.: Och judan honom pinte 3. Sista versen tilldiktad på basen av andra versioner av Staffans visan.
English translation
1.
Saint Stephan was a truthful man.
In him let us believe!
And for the Lords truth he was tortured.
In him let us believe.
2.
They tortured him and did
crown him with a stone.
In Rom he was a jolly groom
and no mere driver boy.
This was Saint Stephan.
3.
And Stephan brought five horses to the well.
In him let us believe.
King Herod was their owner.
And may Stephan be our ruler and counsellor.
4.
And Stephan did look in to the well.
In him let us believe!
Three bright stars he saw reflected there.
And may Stephan be our ruler and counsellor.
5.
And Stephan went home and he said:
In him let us believe!
Three stars in the well there was.
And may Stephan be our ruler and counsellor.
6.
The son of God is born in Bethlehem!
In him let us believe!
So let all Christians rejoice to day.
And may Christ be our ruler and counsellor.
And thus spoke Saint Stephan.