Exeter Swedish Lucia Zoom 2020

Saint Lucia, the Italian saint of light and eyes, is celebrated in Sweden on the 13th of December every year. Sweden is a highly secularised country with a long-standing Lutheran tradition, and no other Catholic saint is commemorated in a similar manner. However, Sweden is a very dark, cold place in December and a festival of candles, songs and goodies at this time is a precious treat.

The celebration is so dear to Swedes that they have been known to export the festival when they emigrate. Exeter’s Swedish Saint Lucia Procession has been an annual event in the city since 2004 when it was started by local Swedish folk musician and singer/songwriter Rosa Rebecka.

Since then, various Britons, Swedes and fellow immigrants have taken part throughout the years. This year’s singers are a glorious mix of old hands and new joiners. In past years we have performed in pubs, churches, and even Exeter Cathedral, but this is the first time we have performed from our own homes. We hope our songs will bring you light in this dark time.

We would like to dedicate this year’s performance to the staff of Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

4:49 THE LUCIA CAROL - traditional Neapolitan song, Swedish lyrics by Sigrid Elmblad

7:29 STAFFAN STALLEDRÄNG – traditional song
Staffan Stable Hand
Performers: Anette Gråhns, Daniel Doan, Maya and Charley

8:30 HERDARNA SJUNGER FÖR BARNET JESUS - Alice Tegnér
The Shepherds Sing For The Child Jesus
Performers: Tom Morris, Sue Morris, Sarah Dingley-Brown, Anja Roeding

11:56 GUD UTSÄNDE ÄNGELN SIN - mediaeval spiritual song
God Sent Out His Angel
Performers: Ulrika-Igraine and Robin C-M

13:56 STILLA NATT - Franz Gruber, Lyrics by Joseph Mohr (German), Edvard Evers (Swedish) and John Freeman Young (English)
Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht / Silent Night
Soloists: Anja Roeding, Anette Gråhns, Amalia Challacombe

16:53 TOMTARNAS JULNATT - Alfred Smedberg & Vilhelm Sefve-Svensson
The Christmas Night Of The Tomtes
Performers: Ida and James Nolemo

19:17 SUO GÂN - trad Welsh, lyrics Robert Brian
Welsh Lullaby
Soloist: Tom Morris. Harmonies from Sue Morris, Sarah Dingley-Brown and Anja Roeding

21:30 GLÄNS ÖVER SJÖ OCH STRAND (BETLEHEMS STJÄRNA) - Alice Tegnér & Viktor Rydberg
Shine Over Lake And Shore (The Star Of Bethlehem)
Soloist: Carin Lindberg

26:28 TOMTEN by Viktor Rydberg
Readers: Mohsen Farhoudi, Maria Ganderton, Elisabeth Öström, Anne Duckworth, Alex Street, Ida Nolemo, Cynthia Mansell

29:57 JUL, JUL, STRÅLANDE JUL - Edvard Evers & Gustaf Nordqvist
Christmas, Christmas, Glorious Christmas.

32:30 VI HÄLSA DIG LUCIA - Stephen Lyons
We Greet You Lucia
Soloist: Rosa Rebecka

35:17 NU TÄNDAS TUSEN JULELJUS - Emmy Köhler
A Thousand Christmas Candles Are Now Being Lit
Soloist: Karin Walters

36:54 THE LUCIA CAROL - Encore