From Sweden to America

Various Artists

In 1996, the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the great exodus of emigrants from Sweden to America, an LP of so called “America songs” was reissued as a CD.

This was a joint venture between the Swedish Centre for Folk Song and Folk Music Research and Caprice Records, supported by the Swedish Jubilee Committee of the Migration Year 1996, Emigrants and Immigrants in Swedish history 1846-1996.

About 1, 3 million Swedes immigrated to America between 1846 and 1930. Most of them turned their backs on a life of agrarian poverty and drudgery, hoping for something better “over there”. The dream of America and emigration there gave rise to many songs and ballads.

This CD contains ballads which became popular among the Swedes in America, and songs which were sung back home in Sweden, reflecting the dream of America. The oldest recording is from 1914 and the most recent from 1980. We hope this CD will help to spread knowledge about the great exodus and the importance of the song in the Swedish settlements in the USA.

Read more
Show playlist
    • Immigrant songs recorded in the U.S.A.
      • 1.
        Där Som Sädesfälten Böja Sig För Vinden Music: Karl Ewert Text: Karl Ewert
        3'16
      • 2.
        Nu Är Det Sommar, Nu Är Det Sol Music: Karl Ewert Text: Karl Ewert
        2'20
      • 3.
        I Been A Swede From North Dakota
        1'42
      • 4.
        Pelle Ifrån Småland Han Skulle Emigrera
        2'19
      • 5.
        Jag Var Född I Västra Torsås
        2'08
    • Congregational song at service in Chicago Lake Lutheran Church
      • 6.
        Tryggare Kan Ingen Vara Music: L Sandell Text: L Sandell
        3'04
    • Emigrant songs in Swedish field recordings
      • 7.
        Min Koffert Den Står Packad
        1'42
      • 8.
        Emedan Tiden Här Mig Synes Lång
        3'51
      • 9.
        Nu Sol Gått Ned. Nu Är Det Kväll
        2'12
      • 10.
        Och Petter Jönsson Han Såg I Fäderneslandet
        3'17
      • 11.
        Vi Sålde Våra Hemman
        7'27
      • 12.
        Kom Adolfina, kom Adolfina (Friarevalsen)
        2'47
      • 13.
        Att vara kär det är en ryslig pina (Nikolina)
        2'57
      • 14.
        Min sångröst den kan ej betalas med guld
        3'34
      • 15.
        Hos Stor Olles Pelle jag tjänar som en dräng
        3'16
      • 16.
        Jöns Petter fick ont i en tand (Tandvärken)
        3'07
      • 17.
        Tjo uppå Backamo (Beväringsvals från Backamo)
        2'47
      • 18.
        Låt det ljuva solsken in
        2,45
    • The renaissance of emigrant songs in the U.S.A. in the 1970s
      • 19.
        Bröder vi har långt att gå
        2'11
      • 20.
        Chicago, Chicago
        2'07
      • 21.
        Från
        2'56
      • 22.
        På lingonröda tuvor (Flickorna i Småland)
        2'09
      • 23.
        Hälsa dem därhemma
        2'52
  • Total playtime 67'34

Compact Disc // CAP 21552 // Folkmusik // Releasedate: 1 January, 1996