“Farval, Farval, Fortjusande Mo (Farewell, Farewell Fascinating Maid)”
Description
Scandinavian shanty. Sailor saying farewell to his sweetheart. Several sentimental verses about pressing her hand, tender whispers and kisses, etc. Translation of chorus: "Farewell, farewell, fascinating maid, we shall soon return again."
Notes
A note from _Sang under Segel_ says this was written down aboard the barque _Chili_? from Gavle in 1888 by Harold Sundholm, and according to a correspondent in _Svenska Dagbladent_ (5/20/1934) it was written by a captain named Ossian Limborg around 1870. Hugill's source told him it was a very popular song in Finnish ships, but was a forebitter, not sung for work. - SL
This is a rather curious statement, since Finnish is not a Scandinavian or even an Indo-European language. Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish are separate languages in name only; they remain largely mutually intelligible and would almost certainly be called dialects if they weren't the languages of different countries. But Finnish is a separte thing. This song could come from Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish -- perhaps even Icelandic. But it's demonstrably not Finnish. - RBW
References
- Hugill, pp. 495-497, "Farval, Farval, Fortjusande Mo" (2 texts-Swedish & English, 1 tune)
- BI, Hugi495