1,5 million Sweds emigrated to America 1850-1930. This is from a concert in Minnesota, a state many Sweds settled in. The audience are all ancestors to Swedish emigrants.
As a Swede I have lived with this song for almost 30 years. But still today it hits me when I see her performance. Her eyes, expressions and voice combined with the lyrics still make me cry.
Also, as a Swede, I find it amazing how non-Swedish speaking people can be moved in such a way by this song even though it’s subtitled. I guess that’s a testament to her performance that she’s able to transcend language barriers and really deliver the message in the lyrics.
@@fredriklarson7928as a Netherlander I can say that yes ofcourse it moves me, messages don't always use words but I translated the song into Netherlandish with some help and my own knowledge of languages. Swedish is closely related, and the meaning has the same depth in my language. Oproer for example is also the same word in Netherlandish
@@fredriklarson7928 Je verdreef mij God Vanuit mijn thuisland werd ik weggerukt Hier ben ik een vluchteling en een vreemdeling En in dat lot bevind ik me Maar je nam mijn kind En je neemt mij mijn man af Ik kan niet langer een mening/bedoeling zien Wat is het dat je wilt? Wat zal ik geloven? De gedachte is onthutsend Voor mij gaapt een afgrond Mijn hele wezen is in oproer en wil nee zeggen De vraag is gewekt En nu beeft mijn ziel voor het antwoord Dat jij niet bestaat Hoewel ik in je geloofde Wie zou mij helpen het leven hier te verdragen? Wie zou mij de kracht geven die ik moet hebben? Wie zou mij troosten, ik ben zo klein op aarde? Als jij niet bestond Ja nou, wat deed ik dan? Nee, je moet bestaan, je moet (je moet je bevinden) Ik leef mijn leven door jou Buiten jou ben ik een splinter op een donkere en stormachtige zee Je moet bestaan, je moet Hoe kun je mij dan in de steek laten? Ik zou nergens zijn Ik zou niets zijn als jij niet bestond Nooit eerder heb ik het gehad in taal of gedachte Het kleine woord dat mij bang maakt en zo plaagt Het woord is "als", als ik al mijn gebeden tevergeefs heb gebeden Als je niet bestaat Wat moet ik dan doen? Wie zou mijn wroeging kennen en dan vergeven? Vrede in de ziel, ja, wie zou het mij schenken? Wie zou mij tenslotte ontmoeten na de dood? Als jij niet bestond Wie nam mij dan bij de hand ? (wie zorgde er dan voor mij) Nee, je moet bestaan, je moet Ik leef mijn leven door jou Buiten jou ben ik een splinter op een donkere en stormachtige zee Je moet bestaan, je moet Hoe kun je mij dan in de steek laten? Ik zou nergens zijn Ik zou niets zijn als jij niet bestond
@@fredriklarson7928In het Nederlands: Je verdreef mij God Vanuit mijn thuisland werd ik weggerukt Hier ben ik een vluchteling en een vreemdeling En in dat lot bevind ik me Maar je nam mijn kind En je neemt mij mijn man af Ik kan niet langer een mening/bedoeling zien Wat is het dat je wilt? Wat zal ik geloven? De gedachte is onthutsend Voor mij gaapt een afgrond Mijn hele wezen is in oproer en wil nee zeggen De vraag is gewekt En nu beeft mijn ziel voor het antwoord Dat jij niet bestaat Hoewel ik in je geloofde Wie zou mij helpen het leven hier te verdragen? Wie zou mij de kracht geven die ik moet hebben? Wie zou mij troosten, ik ben zo klein op aarde? Als jij niet bestond Ja nou, wat deed ik dan? Nee, je moet bestaan, je moet (je moet je bevinden) Ik leef mijn leven door jou Buiten jou ben ik een splinter op een donkere en stormachtige zee Je moet bestaan, je moet Hoe kun je mij dan in de steek laten? Ik zou nergens zijn Ik zou niets zijn als jij niet bestond Nooit eerder heb ik het gehad in taal of gedachte Het kleine woord dat mij bang maakt en zo plaagt Het woord is "als", als ik al mijn gebeden tevergeefs heb gebeden Als je niet bestaat Wat moet ik dan doen? Wie zou mijn wroeging kennen en dan vergeven? Vrede in de ziel, ja, wie zou het mij schenken? Wie zou mij tenslotte ontmoeten na de dood? Als jij niet bestond Wie nam mij dan bij de hand ? (wie zorgde er dan voor mij) Nee, je moet bestaan, je moet Ik leef mijn leven door jou Buiten jou ben ik een splinter op een donkere en stormachtige zee Je moet bestaan, je moet Hoe kun je mij dan in de steek laten? Ik zou nergens zijn Ik zou niets zijn als jij niet bestond Je moet bestaan, je moet Hoe kun je mij dan in de steek laten? Ik zou nergens zijn Ik zou niets zijn als jij niet bestond
I don't cry easily. But I cried at this. It's not only the song, it's the way she is living in this song. You can see her feel everything that the character is feeling. This woman is such an artist, such a talent. Why has the whole world not heard of her?
She is a national treasure in Sweden. Her and Tommy Körberg, who was the original leading role in the musical Chess, are complete power houses when it comes to singing.
Thank you for this beautiful reaction! Isn't wonderful how music can connect with our emotional register and experiences. I wonder if you know that the musical is written by Björn and Benny from ABBA (3:25 in the video)? You can also see Björn in the beginning of the video, turning the pages in the old Bible.
Helen's eyes and expressions are completely mesmerizing in this preformance. You can't take your eyes off her since she looks like she believes every single word that she sings.
Never apologize for showing your feelings! This song gets me every time. The role as Kristina was Helen's breakthrough as a 25 year old, so she has sung it countless times. The musical Kristina from Duvemåla is based on the novel series The Emigrants by Vilhelm Moberg, and written by Björn and Benny from ABBA (you see them at 3:17)
Thank you for reacting to this. Another amazing performance from this musical is “Guldet blev till sand” by Peter Jöback. And if you want to hear more songs with Helen Sjöholm I would recommend the song “Gabriellas sång”
I think this is one of Sweden's most beloved musicals ever. There is another famous song from it you should check out too, "Guldet blev till sand"(The gold turned to sand) sung by Peter Jöback. It's about Kristina's husband Karl-Oskar's younger brother, Robert, who's kind of a dreamer and when they have been in America for about a year, Robert and his best friend Arvid who went along with them to America goes on a journey trying to find gold but things don't go so well. You might need a tissue for that one too.
Helen is a vocal powerhouse. Song if written by Björn and Benny of Abba, for the musical Kristina från Duvemåla. Based on the book series from autor Vilhelm Moberg about the Swedish emigration to America during the 1850-1900. 1,3 million people emigrated, that was 20% of the whole population. There are now 8 million decendants with Swedish heritage. This was filmed in Minnesota which has a high concentration of Swedish people. After this i strongly recommend Guldet blev till sand from the same concert.
she feels every single note she sings, phenomenal vocals and story telling. one of the best songs on your channel so far. whoever requested this: thank you! holy hell, i'm in tears.
She is truly amazing. Let me suggest another song to listen to from the same musical this song is from. This is the first song where a young Kristina(the woman in the musical) is waiting for her love to return to her. Slightly modified though since it’s from a tv-show. ua-cam.com/video/y8tM-U4c5PM/v-deo.htmlsi=vpER_UWK4qBWRCOn
First time here, but I've probably watched this Helene Sjöholm performance in excess of a 100 times. Alone, because... hey, I'm a 50+ Swedish guy, I don't want to bawl publicly. Watching you watching this, and seeing how deeply it moved you, really stuck a new chord in me. Thanks. I'd bawl with you any day.
Dude this woman as you said, staring into the face of god telling god how he has disappointed her. The force in her eyes and her steady footing is really my mental image of female strength and the reason women hold so much power within them. Seeing her sing this in contrast to the lyrics i feel like she will be alright on her own and if god exists he is in trouble once she taps out from earth.
It's 1:40am here and I'm sobbing. As a person who always wanted to have a child and so many times life deprived me to do so, this song hit a nerve and broke me. I don't have kids yet and I can't even fathom the pain of losing a child! And her cries through the singing and her facial expressions. Dude... I can't 😭😭😭😭
There's so much to say about these books, how the father decided that the family should leave the poverty in Sweden when his youngest child died from starvation. How the woman that everyone despised eventually ended up being the deeply religious Kristina's closest friend, the village prostitute. There's so much more, everyone should read at least the two first books in the series, The Emigrants and The Immigrants by Vilhelm Moberg. It brings an understanding of what immigrants have gone through. We have a black belt in melancholy music, you can hear it in so many songs where you at first wouldn't expect it. This is written by Björn and Benny from ABBA, listen to any of their songs regardless if it's ABBA or one of the musicals they have written, there's always some melancholy in the song. / Swedish Pete
Man, know that I cried along with you. This song is not new to me. I heard it so many times, while I'm from Sweden. But this hits you in the gut all the time. You can see her struggling beliefs and her pain. This is, as you said, the most incredible performance I have ever seen.
The two men you see in the audiens, are the creators. Benny Andersson music and Björn Ulveus lyrics. ❤ Thank you! Please listen to Peter Jöback in the same story.
Hi, No apologies, please. Don't feel bad for your emotions. I feel honored to hear what you said, and I'm glad that my country have given you the experience to see yourself in and hopefully in the long run a small part of your healing. This combination of Helena Sjöholm, and the two guys from ABBA who wrote the musical Kristina från (from) Duvemåla, an epos of a time long gone, are treasured by us. You gave the ultimate compliment I believe. I hope you came out of what that time of your life dished you fairly unscathed. Yours, Ann
This hit a little to close to home. After my third child was born, I got the same message, No more children. Still I thank you for bringing me this song. Her feelings mirror mine and it is really helping to see someone putting my feelings into words, music and truth. Also thank you for sharing. My son lost his dad when he was fourteen, so I do understand. And like you. He has grown into this incredible, empathic young man. It is so often our worst times, shape us to be incredible, wonderful, kindhearted and loveable humanbeings. And you are definitily that to all of us.
I'm so sorry for you ❤ For her the loss was double, there was no reliable birthday controle except for abstinence at the time this story is set in. So basically doctor told her she could not be intimate with her husband anymore, that is why in the beginning she also sings God took her husband away from her, not only the child. They also lost an older daughter before emigrating, that was the final reason for them to give up Sweden and start the journey to America, she died horribly by overeating rice that wasn't cooked yet because she was starving, it swelled inside her and caused internal bleeding. If you want to cry some more read the books this musical is based on en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Emigrants_(novel_series)
Björn Ulvaeus of Abba is a adamant atheist, and wrote this song together with Benny. Let it sink in, how talent in music breaks all bounds if you're open to venture.
Bjorn and Agnetha named their boy Christian. Agnetha is a Christian. Bjorn and Agnetha got married in Summer of 1971 in a Christian church. Their best friends, Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Benny Andersson were there too. The following year the foursome of the two couples were officially a music group. Stig Anderson eventually named the group ABBA. Bjorn is a an agnostic. He does not say God does not exist, he says he does not think God exist, but He could be wrong.
@@danbike9 Being named Christian has nothing what so ever to do with religion. Atheists do all sorts of things in church. Church is a gathering place by tradition. You seem to want to tie them to religion when in reality they're not very bothered by it. It means more to you than them. They're not religious because they went to a "christian church" for a good time. I had a hard time finding any source at all saying Agnetha was ever christian. Björn, on the other hand, is a definitive and self-proclaimed atheist. Agnosticism is separate. You can be an agnostic theist or atheist.
@@BloinkBjorn is not ignorant of the fact that the name Christian is Latin. meaning; "follower of Christ". It first appears in the New Testament. He is an intelligent, very well read person. Parents who name their child "Christian" are not people who are anti Christian/God. Bjorn is a self claimed atheist. I know this. But as he has said, there could be a God. He does not know. That is a sound position for an atheist to have. He leans into the agnostic point of view. The ignorant atheist will say ... "There is no God!" C.S. Lewis (former atheist) in his writings is famous for humiliating the atheist who makes this positive statement. Both believers and the non-believers have faith. Believers have faith that God does exist. Non-believers have faith that God does not exist. ---------- Agnetha was born and raised in Sweden's bible belt, in the city of Jonkoping. She is not ignorant of the significance of naming your child "Christian.
@@danbike9 This is so frustrating to listen to. Not once have I said that he claims a god does not exist. An agnostic isn't in any way a christian. He is not any less of an atheist than a gnostic one. You're just assuming a bunch of things because a swedish family named one of their chrildren Kristian. There has to be no significance to the name, it's just a common name. You don't have to have "faith" to be an atheist. No, I don't have faith that a god does not exist, that's nonsense. It's like saying you have faith that Godzilla doesn't exist. There's no reason to believe in un-founded, supersticious nonsense. My name is Elias. My brothers are Josef and Isac. Guess what? Hardcore atheist parents, and so are we. So much for biblical names. Using your logic, you'd assume my parents were christian. They are likely ALL atheists, but theists are so dense that they can't accept that in swedish society, "belief" is not the norm. It's the other way around. Not to mention how deeply immoral it would be to name your child after your own religious beliefs. No one from ABBA would be dumb enough to do this.
I don't have a religious bone in my body, but this still gets me every time. Helen sings it with such incredible passion and I still remember vividly the first time I heard it it was sung live by Helen during an early show of Kristina Från Duvemåla. Thanks for sharing your story - it hits me like that almost every time. Most of us have some dark times that her anguish captures so well.
If this is a gut punch for you, you are more religious than you think. The fact that you can feel the darkness enveloping Kristina suggests that. A truly irreligious person would not be able to relate.
@@andredarin8966 Haha. I can empathize with other human beings.. even when their plight isn't exactly one I've experienced personally. I can be an empathic human without believing in a sky daddy. Just like you - who thinks I'm more like you than I believe - I can do that with Kristina. It's quite possible I don't understand her, but I still feel her pain.
That's tough one. I cried as well when I first heard it and saw her singing it. Just like you now but without taping me. You can see in her face the tragedy and depth of emotions. You can see the whole story in her performance. She is feeling it 100%.
I have said this before, in my opinion, it feels like she summoned something during this performance that took over her. Thats the best way I can explain it. Incredible.
This is definitely heart wrenching. The singer really emotes the pain of the moment in her face. I have had alot of hardship in my life,including the medical inability to have children,so this hits home for me. Thank you once again, Tommy, for sharing more of your life with us. Love you my brother.
I had the same reaction. She sings right into your heart and moves you. Amazing singer. And the music and lyrics are of course by the masters from ABBA.
Emotions are the thing that makes us human. The ability to see our own pain mirrored in others is what makes us beautiful. Empathy is not weakness, it's strength. The fact that we can understand and work with thousands of other people, even some we have never met and never will, is the thing that has allowed us to break evolution and rise to be the unmatched master of this planet. I wish I could cry more for myself. Tears is salt leaving our body that would otherwise fester in the wounds of our heart. Sharing is strength, not weakness. Never be ashamed of having feelings, your passions and sorrows make you who you are.
This particular concert, with the cast from Kristina från Duvemåla, was made infront of Swedish decendants in America. The song "Du måste finnas" med Helen Sjöholm is from the same concert. In the audiens you will see Björn Ulveus and Benny Andersson (from ABBA) who wrote the musical. Björn and Benny introduced to the audiens the story and history behind the lyrics and the musical. I remember there was a tv program here in Sweden filming Björn and Bennys journey and the making of the musical. The final was this concert for Swedish decendants. On the first premiere in Malmö/Sweden was a special guest invited, "Kristina" herself (her name in the musica)l. She died in 2005.
Hello from southern Sweden. I reacted exactly like you when I first heard this many years ago. You have no defense, a copy of how I felt, completely undressed. "You must be" are words that are constantly recurring. No matter how hard you show on the outside, I promise that when someone just like you suffers a huge loss, then all that's left is "you have to be there" when the shock, anger and restlessness have subsided. At least that's my experience. I am extremely proud that we have become one of several leading music nations. Björn and Benny are so much more than a part of Abba. Two geniuses / Mvh Adam
Thank you, thank you so much for really describing what many of us feel about this song and the story behind it! Listen to Peter Jöback when he sings "when the gold turned to sand" from the same musical. It is also translated into English. Wilhelm Moberg's book that everything is based on has focused on many stories of what people experienced!
Listened to this at least 100 times as a swede, and it still gets me. Been a while I must ad. Amazing performance by Helen that will be remembered forever. Who couldn't appreciate this? Thank you
I'm always so impressed with these english subtitles, it's not a direct translation, but a translation that makes sense, only thing is i think "you have to exist" is more accurate than "you must be real"
I am speechless. This was no performance of a song, this was an embodiment of the character. Incredible! Thank you for sharing this! Big hugs, Tommy. I know you've been through a lot and you don't want it to be all about yourself, but it's important to share you stories. It will encourage others to share theirs. Sometimes you need silence, but at some point you need to let it all out. This is the right place to do so. Thanks Tommy and the patron who recommended this!
Love your reaction! Believe me, you are not the only beardy man that cries when you listen to this. I must have done it at least 50 times and still cry EVERY SINGLE TIME. Remember the heroes of Troy, there is a chapter in which they don´t do anything but cry! 😄 The greek word "hero" means, to my understanding, someone who has compassion. Thanks for sharing your story! We must remember that without pain there is no beauty.
The background is that she followed her husband in emigration to Minnesota USA, where they settled and got around materially quite well. Before the emigration she lost one child to starvation, and almost died on the ship over the Atlantic from Scorbut (lack of vitamin C). In US a doctor told her she could not have any more children because she would die if she got pregnant again. So she is now also “taken from her husband” She also feels she doesn’t connect to God, which really was central for her, and she has thoughts this is because she broke the fourth commandment about staying in your country. She feels deserted by God and that is what the song is about. And YES she is fantastic and you really percieve this
I just knew you would enjoy this one. I was a bit apprehensive in recommending it since there hasn't been a lot of musicals recommended and it is quite a dark theme. I also knew it would be an emotional gut punch but that you would connect with it, as it does with me. No one can show the vulnerability, pain, rage and pleading desperation at the same time as well as Helen. You can really feel her being utterly lost, angry and scared. As you know, I made the mistake of watching this on the bus and cried along with you. Thank you for sharing, it must be hard to relive that memory so vividly. Much love from Sweden. You help people heal in more ways than you know❤
I had her mother as my teacher between first grade until fourth grade, and I remember when Helen had her breakthrough with her role as Kristina. Her mom was so proud of her, and rightly so! Helen is a once in a lifetime talent!
Very good, very heart wrenching.. she emotes well with both her voice and face. We all face dark times and are left to make sense of it. You can feel the struggle to still believe, yet feel betrayed in her face and voice. Very emotional piece, TY for sharing patreon and Tommy. ❤ and ✌️
This performance is like nothing else. It's another level. As a Swede I'm a little biased, but I love Helen and this is her best performance. You can feel her words in the deepest part of your heart. It's wonderful to see your reaction, it's pure, it's true, thank you for doing this and show your true emotions. Love from Sweden.
Don't apologize for telling your stories. It was very touching, and I appreciate your bravery of being this vulnerable to your audience. This was the first video of you I've seen (recommended since I binged reactions to this song previously) - I instantly subscribed. Happy holidays from Sweden :)
Thank you so much friend for the love! I'm so grateful our paths have crossed.
Рік тому+10
Hugs to You Tommy! Helen Sjöholm is one of Sweden's greatest (the greatest according to me) musical artist and a great actress. Her emotions in all she does is always amazing. This is taken from the musical "Kristina från Duvemåla" which is a Swedish musical written by former ABBA members Björn Ulvaeus (lyrics) and Benny Andersson (music). It is based on a series of four novels by the Swedish author Vilhelm Moberg. It's about a family's poverty-driven migration from Sweden to America in the mid-19th century as You mentioned.
There is an english version of this song. I think she sings that too. But thing is that the english lyrics just isn't anywhere near as raw and angry and full of pain, confusion and despair as the original swedish lyrics is.
Not a faithful person myself but I can see how important it must've been for people in hard times. And as a Swede, I can also see how frightening it must've been breaking up and moving away (as it is to this day when people are forced to leave their homes). And Helens performance here.. it's just amazing on so many levels. The passion, the voice and her posture.. one of my absolute favourite clips on UA-cam.
Helen Sjöholm is a national treasure here in Sweden. There is no one like her. I Watched her perform ”Du måste finnas” on a big stage a few years ago in gothenburg. She cried while singing it and probably the whole audiance aswell. Super strong moment. Very greatful that i got the chance to see her sing this masterpiece!
Thanks for reacting to this performance. The point of music, and art in general, in my opinion, is to communicate the parts of our inner selves which we cannot express in words, and which isolate us from others. Good music breaks down that barrier and makes us feel connected to others.
I read today that they're setting up the full show once again, 10/18 2025, on the 30 year anniversary of the premiere. It will be a limited show in my hometown called Sundsvall. Helen Sjöholm is from here and they thought it would be fitting for the show(s) to be performed here. It won't be with the original actors/vocalists, but I'm sure it will still be moving!
I'm a huge fan of Helen, always have been. Which is probably why your video showed up in my recommended, and I have seen probably all reactions to this song but no one done it quite like you did. Don't apologize. I think every single Swede has heard this song and cried atleast once haha. It's meant to hit you where it hurts. Helen has the voice of an angel and Björn and Benny know how to write a damn near perfect song. So thanks for this reaction. It was the best one I've seen and I immediately subscribed :)
I am a metalhead in general, but even so I can enjoy all kind of music - and this is really beautiful ❤️ Helen Sjöholm is power, and she sings from her heart ❤️ A pure master piece!!
Thank you for sharing that story. When I wasn't feeling well, encountering something that could draw out my emotions was cathartic. I hope you're doing okay nowadays.
When I saw this musical live at the Gothenburg opera, it was a profound moment back in the nineties. Mrs Helene Sjoholm, she took control of every single person in the audience. After this song it was completely silence for a second, no air left and then, boom, and then a burst of love towards the stage! Tears on every face! ❤ Merry Christmas everyone. Blessings from Sweden.
I love watching reactions to this performance, it’s kind of like I’m watching it for the first time again through another person eyes. I promise you it’s crazier when you actually understand Swedish, her intonations and where she puts emphasis is very moving.
Swede here. Lived with this song since I was young girl, it is from the musical about people moving from Sweden to the USA in the 19th century, being poor and one of her kid died because they didnt have enough food (long story) and now she is in America but now she will die if she get pregnant again so she can't share a bed with her strong and wonderful husband, the one she loves and trust. She does not understand why the only thing she cares about: her husband and children, is the thing God takes away from her. Please read the books by Wilhelm Moberg, four books last one is The last letter to Sweden and this is from that book. Björn and Benny from Abba wrote the musical. Noone sings in like our Helen.
I am not religious. But I am a Swede who has heard this most of my life and I still cry as if someone died every time I hear it. If it hit you this hard with pretty good subtitles, imagine if it was your native language. Might be the perfect performance.
I was 15 years old when Kristina from Duvemåla premiered in Malmö in 1995, I never had the opportunity to see the musical live even though I was born and raised 1.5 hours drive from Malmö and it still pains me that I didn't see this live. Since the first time I heard her sing, I have been both impressed and touched by her singing. She has an ability to both touch and engage the audience, whether it's singing in a musical or on a record, which not many people can. In short, she is absolutely magical!
This was a beautiful reaction! A a Swedish singer myself, watching people experience Helen and this performance for the first time is soooo incredibly satisfying. 🤩 I’ve been a fan since 1996 when I saw this musical. This is from a documentary about when the soloists traveled to Minnesota (with Björn & Benny- boys from ABBA and wrote the musical) in the 90’s to sing ”Kristina från Duvemåla” in concert in a small Swedish settler town. Where a lot of people still spoke Swedish! The choir is local and you can see a blonde lady in the background really experiencing Helen in her brilliance. 😂 I was crying with you man, just nodding along when you were clearly going through something and being speechless, I was like: ”Yes, yes, I know man I know. She does this to you. And this guy knows quality when he sees it.” There are SOOO many other great songs from this musical! Glad to see that the translation was decent in this clip too. There is a translated version on spotify called ”Kristina at Carnegie Hall”.. Helen sings it beautifully but the Swedish lyrics are soooo much better.
She sang this at my grandfathers funeral back in 98, and even though I wasn't born yet I have this special bond to this song. Painful and beautiful at the same time, gets me sobbing everytime.
Kudos to the translator! I've seen a few attempts on here, but this was one of the most accurate, yet most eloquent, translations. And that is no mean feat, seeing as how traslation is part art, part science.
As I watched the concert at Carnegie Hall, it occurred to me that this was more operatic than a musical. The orchestrations were symphonic as were the chorals. Had it been trotted out as opera (and why not) you could dispense with the often clumsy attempts made in musical theater to avoid lazy rhymes while attempting to be too clever by half. Bjorn and Benny had a lot of source material for a libretto from Molberg's three novels.
Welcome into the fold, my man. This is what is called 'The Swedish anguish' (Det svenska vemodet). In this state of mind is where all our best music is created.
I appreciate you sharing the heavy stuff from your life. It's refreshing to hear some truth among all the shallowness in our world, thank you so much for that! Life is rough. We should all share truth more often. Bunch of love from Sweden!
almost 20 years on youtube without leaving any meaningful comment. i just had to comment. brother. i feel your pain. thank your for being honest, pure, raw and real. it was a beautiful speech, thank you for sharing.
Its all good. She is one of 0:06 kind. Björn and Benny as well. Life is hard to all. And to get a voice, sound, lyrics, Singer and an artist to diliver like This, cant be done again.
A really interesting fact about Björn och Benny, the men behind ABBA and this musical, is that they can't read or write sheet music. But they are musical geniuses anyhow
Tommy, you really should check out Jussi Björling performing O helga natt (oh holy night in Swedish) one of the best Tenor singers. That performance just hits you know? Great video as always bro ❤
imagine us that actually are swedish and do understand the language….tears are rinning.. promise you something of the best…. love her increible performance….😮 ”living the song” thats a gifted remark…
I dont knew how meny times I have listen to this song and it gets to me every time! Helena Sjöholm is very talented with expressing and making you feel the songs story, no matter if it is a happy, sad or just very powerfull song. I have often wondered why she didn't have a international career.
Job´s book in Swedish with a female Job... She does this in English too, but it´s not the same because she doesn´t embody Kristina as much as she does doing the part in Swedish. In the novel, one cause of her crisis was that she was worn out by many childbirths and wasn´t allowed to ever sleep with her husband again due to her medical condition. Age 30 something. She felt like a worthless woman. Finally she got through her crisis, made peace with God and invited her husband to her bed. She got pregnant and as predicted she died giving birth. The last thing she saw in a vision was the apple tree in the garden where she had grewn up. She passed away peacefully. Her husband, Karl-Oscar, who didn´t shared her trust in God and wanted to create his own destiny at any cost, lived many years after that and died in solitude and sorrow.
Wow, just wow! I can't even put into words emotional this made me feel, and then when it hit you ... well I'm just glad nobody is home right now, they might get concerned 😂. Thank you for sharing.
For consolation: "I den stora sorgens famn" Live with Helen Sjöholm and the amazing Freddie Wadling. The song written by Ted Gärdestad ( In the embrace of the big sorrow)
1,5 million Sweds emigrated to America 1850-1930. This is from a concert in Minnesota, a state many Sweds settled in. The audience are all ancestors to Swedish emigrants.
Fun fact, 10% of Minnesotas population have Swedish heritage
@@tr0fast280as a Swede I would love to move to Minnesota ❤
I believe the word is descendants...
damn it,
dont make me cry more
@@michaelpettersson4919Yet for some odd reason, the world will keep turning Karen……
As a Swede I have lived with this song for almost 30 years. But still today it hits me when I see her performance. Her eyes, expressions and voice combined with the lyrics still make me cry.
I was not ready for how impactful this would be!
Also, as a Swede, I find it amazing how non-Swedish speaking people can be moved in such a way by this song even though it’s subtitled. I guess that’s a testament to her performance that she’s able to transcend language barriers and really deliver the message in the lyrics.
@@fredriklarson7928as a Netherlander I can say that yes ofcourse it moves me, messages don't always use words but I translated the song into Netherlandish with some help and my own knowledge of languages. Swedish is closely related, and the meaning has the same depth in my language. Oproer for example is also the same word in Netherlandish
@@fredriklarson7928
Je verdreef mij God
Vanuit mijn thuisland werd ik weggerukt
Hier ben ik een vluchteling en een vreemdeling
En in dat lot bevind ik me
Maar je nam mijn kind
En je neemt mij mijn man af
Ik kan niet langer een mening/bedoeling zien
Wat is het dat je wilt?
Wat zal ik geloven?
De gedachte is onthutsend
Voor mij gaapt een afgrond
Mijn hele wezen is in oproer en wil nee zeggen
De vraag is gewekt
En nu beeft mijn ziel voor het antwoord
Dat jij niet bestaat
Hoewel ik in je geloofde
Wie zou mij helpen het leven hier te verdragen?
Wie zou mij de kracht geven die ik moet hebben?
Wie zou mij troosten, ik ben zo klein op aarde?
Als jij niet bestond
Ja nou, wat deed ik dan?
Nee, je moet bestaan, je moet (je moet je bevinden)
Ik leef mijn leven door jou
Buiten jou ben ik een splinter op een donkere en stormachtige zee
Je moet bestaan, je moet
Hoe kun je mij dan in de steek laten?
Ik zou nergens zijn
Ik zou niets zijn als jij niet bestond
Nooit eerder heb ik het gehad in taal of gedachte
Het kleine woord dat mij bang maakt en zo plaagt
Het woord is "als", als ik al mijn gebeden tevergeefs heb gebeden
Als je niet bestaat
Wat moet ik dan doen?
Wie zou mijn wroeging kennen en dan vergeven?
Vrede in de ziel, ja, wie zou het mij schenken?
Wie zou mij tenslotte ontmoeten na de dood?
Als jij niet bestond
Wie nam mij dan bij de hand ? (wie zorgde er dan voor mij)
Nee, je moet bestaan, je moet
Ik leef mijn leven door jou
Buiten jou ben ik een splinter op een donkere en stormachtige zee
Je moet bestaan, je moet
Hoe kun je mij dan in de steek laten?
Ik zou nergens zijn
Ik zou niets zijn als jij niet bestond
@@fredriklarson7928In het Nederlands:
Je verdreef mij God
Vanuit mijn thuisland werd ik weggerukt
Hier ben ik een vluchteling en een vreemdeling
En in dat lot bevind ik me
Maar je nam mijn kind
En je neemt mij mijn man af
Ik kan niet langer een mening/bedoeling zien
Wat is het dat je wilt?
Wat zal ik geloven?
De gedachte is onthutsend
Voor mij gaapt een afgrond
Mijn hele wezen is in oproer en wil nee zeggen De vraag is gewekt
En nu beeft mijn ziel voor het antwoord
Dat jij niet bestaat
Hoewel ik in je geloofde
Wie zou mij helpen het leven hier te verdragen?
Wie zou mij de kracht geven die ik moet hebben?
Wie zou mij troosten, ik ben zo klein op aarde?
Als jij niet bestond
Ja nou, wat deed ik dan?
Nee, je moet bestaan, je moet
(je moet je bevinden)
Ik leef mijn leven door jou
Buiten jou ben ik een splinter op een donkere en stormachtige zee
Je moet bestaan, je moet
Hoe kun je mij dan in de steek laten?
Ik zou nergens zijn
Ik zou niets zijn als jij niet bestond
Nooit eerder heb ik het gehad in taal of gedachte
Het kleine woord dat mij bang maakt en zo plaagt
Het woord is "als", als ik al mijn gebeden tevergeefs heb gebeden
Als je niet bestaat
Wat moet ik dan doen?
Wie zou mijn wroeging kennen en dan vergeven?
Vrede in de ziel, ja, wie zou het mij schenken?
Wie zou mij tenslotte ontmoeten na de dood?
Als jij niet bestond
Wie nam mij dan bij de hand ? (wie zorgde er dan voor mij)
Nee, je moet bestaan, je moet
Ik leef mijn leven door jou
Buiten jou ben ik een splinter op een donkere en stormachtige zee
Je moet bestaan, je moet
Hoe kun je mij dan in de steek laten?
Ik zou nergens zijn
Ik zou niets zijn als jij niet bestond
Je moet bestaan, je moet
Hoe kun je mij dan in de steek laten?
Ik zou nergens zijn
Ik zou niets zijn als jij niet bestond
I don't cry easily. But I cried at this. It's not only the song, it's the way she is living in this song. You can see her feel everything that the character is feeling. This woman is such an artist, such a talent. Why has the whole world not heard of her?
RIGHT! THIS WAS INSANE!
She is very well known in musical theater but not really in the mainstream.
She is a national treasure in Sweden. Her and Tommy Körberg, who was the original leading role in the musical Chess, are complete power houses when it comes to singing.
Thank you for this beautiful reaction! Isn't wonderful how music can connect with our emotional register and experiences. I wonder if you know that the musical is written by Björn and Benny from ABBA (3:25 in the video)? You can also see Björn in the beginning of the video, turning the pages in the old Bible.
We (swedes) are very proud of her 😊
Helen's eyes and expressions are completely mesmerizing in this preformance. You can't take your eyes off her since she looks like she believes every single word that she sings.
So true, I was sucked into them.
Well this song follows Kristina's first child accidental but easily avoidable death. No wonder she's shocked.
Never apologize for showing your feelings! This song gets me every time.
The role as Kristina was Helen's breakthrough as a 25 year old, so she has sung it countless times. The musical Kristina from Duvemåla is based on the novel series The Emigrants by Vilhelm Moberg, and written by Björn and Benny from ABBA (you see them at 3:17)
Helen is a national treasure for us Swedes 🥰
Hugs from Sweden ❤ You are importent.
thanks friend!
@@TheWolffAndTheMelody ♥
My husband died suddenly 2 july 2023 and I played this song at his funeral. We loved this song. Rest in peace my love Daniel❤
Oh my im so sorry, sending light and love your way.
@@TheWolffAndTheMelody ❤️
@@lisanilsson6427 If you ever wanna talk and are on facebook or instagram, reach out.
❤
Thank you for reacting to this. Another amazing performance from this musical is “Guldet blev till sand” by Peter Jöback. And if you want to hear more songs with Helen Sjöholm I would recommend the song “Gabriellas sång”
Yes please!! Both of them. "Gabriellas sång" is such a good song with a strong message. Especially with the characters backstory. ❤
I think this is one of Sweden's most beloved musicals ever. There is another famous song from it you should check out too, "Guldet blev till sand"(The gold turned to sand) sung by Peter Jöback. It's about Kristina's husband Karl-Oskar's younger brother, Robert, who's kind of a dreamer and when they have been in America for about a year, Robert and his best friend Arvid who went along with them to America goes on a journey trying to find gold but things don't go so well. You might need a tissue for that one too.
I plan on doing that other song. After this, I have to!
Helen is an absolut gem and Sweden's greatest pride!
Helen is a vocal powerhouse. Song if written by Björn and Benny of Abba, for the musical Kristina från Duvemåla. Based on the book series from autor Vilhelm Moberg about the Swedish emigration to America during the 1850-1900. 1,3 million people emigrated, that was 20% of the whole population. There are now 8 million decendants with Swedish heritage. This was filmed in Minnesota which has a high concentration of Swedish people.
After this i strongly recommend Guldet blev till sand from the same concert.
I did a DNA test and got matches all over the states. I guess most, if not all, Swedes would! Very cool.
she feels every single note she sings, phenomenal vocals and story telling. one of the best songs on your channel so far. whoever requested this: thank you! holy hell, i'm in tears.
She is truly amazing. Let me suggest another song to listen to from the same musical this song is from. This is the first song where a young Kristina(the woman in the musical) is waiting for her love to return to her. Slightly modified though since it’s from a tv-show. ua-cam.com/video/y8tM-U4c5PM/v-deo.htmlsi=vpER_UWK4qBWRCOn
First time here, but I've probably watched this Helene Sjöholm performance in excess of a 100 times. Alone, because... hey, I'm a 50+ Swedish guy, I don't want to bawl publicly. Watching you watching this, and seeing how deeply it moved you, really stuck a new chord in me. Thanks. I'd bawl with you any day.
I'm glad you stopped by friend! Music is a great bridge for us to connect!
Dude this woman as you said, staring into the face of god telling god how he has disappointed her. The force in her eyes and her steady footing is really my mental image of female strength and the reason women hold so much power within them. Seeing her sing this in contrast to the lyrics i feel like she will be alright on her own and if god exists he is in trouble once she taps out from earth.
It's 1:40am here and I'm sobbing. As a person who always wanted to have a child and so many times life deprived me to do so, this song hit a nerve and broke me. I don't have kids yet and I can't even fathom the pain of losing a child! And her cries through the singing and her facial expressions. Dude... I can't 😭😭😭😭
❤...
There's so much to say about these books, how the father decided that the family should leave the poverty in Sweden when his youngest child died from starvation. How the woman that everyone despised eventually ended up being the deeply religious Kristina's closest friend, the village prostitute. There's so much more, everyone should read at least the two first books in the series, The Emigrants and The Immigrants by Vilhelm Moberg. It brings an understanding of what immigrants have gone through. We have a black belt in melancholy music, you can hear it in so many songs where you at first wouldn't expect it. This is written by Björn and Benny from ABBA, listen to any of their songs regardless if it's ABBA or one of the musicals they have written, there's always some melancholy in the song. / Swedish Pete
Man, know that I cried along with you. This song is not new to me. I heard it so many times, while I'm from Sweden.
But this hits you in the gut all the time. You can see her struggling beliefs and her pain.
This is, as you said, the most incredible performance I have ever seen.
At 3:22 you can see Björn and Benny from ABBA. They wrote/produced the whole musical, which is why the music is so amazing.
I have no idea how she can emote that absolute despair, and then turn around and smile at the end. What a performer!
Absolutely insane! Loved it.
She showed sadness, hopelessness, hope, anger, doubt and bravery in both her voice and face. Amazing performance.
The two men you see in the audiens, are the creators. Benny Andersson music and Björn Ulveus lyrics. ❤ Thank you! Please listen to Peter Jöback in the same story.
gosh, this song is so deep and she is so angry, so angry. and it hit me in my most vulnerable time of the year where i miss my sister so much.
sending you so much love❤
@@TheWolffAndTheMelody thank you, also much love to you!
Sorry for your loss 💜
Björn och Benny!! ❤❤❤
Hi, No apologies, please. Don't feel bad for your emotions. I feel honored to hear what you said, and I'm glad that my country have given you the experience to see yourself in and hopefully in the long run a small part of your healing. This combination of Helena Sjöholm, and the two guys from ABBA who wrote the musical Kristina från (from) Duvemåla, an epos of a time long gone, are treasured by us. You gave the ultimate compliment I believe. I hope you came out of what that time of your life dished you fairly unscathed. Yours, Ann
This hit a little to close to home. After my third child was born, I got the same message, No more children. Still I thank you for bringing me this song. Her feelings mirror mine and it is really helping to see someone putting my feelings into words, music and truth.
Also thank you for sharing. My son lost his dad when he was fourteen, so I do understand. And like you. He has grown into this incredible, empathic young man. It is so often our worst times, shape us to be incredible, wonderful, kindhearted and loveable humanbeings. And you are definitily that to all of us.
❤❤❤
I'm so sorry for you ❤
For her the loss was double, there was no reliable birthday controle except for abstinence at the time this story is set in. So basically doctor told her she could not be intimate with her husband anymore, that is why in the beginning she also sings God took her husband away from her, not only the child.
They also lost an older daughter before emigrating, that was the final reason for them to give up Sweden and start the journey to America, she died horribly by overeating rice that wasn't cooked yet because she was starving, it swelled inside her and caused internal bleeding.
If you want to cry some more read the books this musical is based on
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Emigrants_(novel_series)
❤
Björn Ulvaeus of Abba is a adamant atheist, and wrote this song together with Benny. Let it sink in, how talent in music breaks all bounds if you're open to venture.
I'm an atheist, but i love this song. She sings about the god she beliveved in just let her fight without "god", and she made it without a god.
Bjorn and Agnetha named their boy Christian. Agnetha is a Christian. Bjorn and Agnetha got married in Summer of 1971 in a Christian church. Their best friends, Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Benny Andersson were there too.
The following year the foursome of the two couples were officially a music group. Stig Anderson eventually named the group ABBA.
Bjorn is a an agnostic. He does not say God does not exist, he says he does not think God exist, but He could be wrong.
@@danbike9 Being named Christian has nothing what so ever to do with religion. Atheists do all sorts of things in church. Church is a gathering place by tradition.
You seem to want to tie them to religion when in reality they're not very bothered by it. It means more to you than them. They're not religious because they went to a "christian church" for a good time.
I had a hard time finding any source at all saying Agnetha was ever christian.
Björn, on the other hand, is a definitive and self-proclaimed atheist. Agnosticism is separate. You can be an agnostic theist or atheist.
@@BloinkBjorn is not ignorant of the fact that the name Christian is Latin. meaning; "follower of Christ". It first appears in the New Testament. He is an intelligent, very well read person.
Parents who name their child "Christian" are not people who are anti Christian/God.
Bjorn is a self claimed atheist. I know this. But as he has said, there could be a God. He does not know. That is a sound position for an atheist to have. He leans into the agnostic point of view.
The ignorant atheist will say ... "There is no God!"
C.S. Lewis (former atheist) in his writings is famous for humiliating the atheist who makes this positive statement.
Both believers and the non-believers have faith. Believers have faith that God does exist. Non-believers have faith that God does not exist.
----------
Agnetha was born and raised in Sweden's bible belt, in the city of Jonkoping. She is not ignorant of the significance of naming your child "Christian.
@@danbike9 This is so frustrating to listen to. Not once have I said that he claims a god does not exist. An agnostic isn't in any way a christian. He is not any less of an atheist than a gnostic one.
You're just assuming a bunch of things because a swedish family named one of their chrildren Kristian. There has to be no significance to the name, it's just a common name.
You don't have to have "faith" to be an atheist. No, I don't have faith that a god does not exist, that's nonsense. It's like saying you have faith that Godzilla doesn't exist. There's no reason to believe in un-founded, supersticious nonsense.
My name is Elias. My brothers are Josef and Isac. Guess what? Hardcore atheist parents, and so are we. So much for biblical names. Using your logic, you'd assume my parents were christian.
They are likely ALL atheists, but theists are so dense that they can't accept that in swedish society, "belief" is not the norm. It's the other way around.
Not to mention how deeply immoral it would be to name your child after your own religious beliefs. No one from ABBA would be dumb enough to do this.
I've heard this song like 1000 times since i was a kid and still cries each time 😢❤
I just want to say - Thank you for your very heartfelt, emotional and personal reaction 🙏😌
thank you friend!
I don't have a religious bone in my body, but this still gets me every time. Helen sings it with such incredible passion and I still remember vividly the first time I heard it it was sung live by Helen during an early show of Kristina Från Duvemåla.
Thanks for sharing your story - it hits me like that almost every time. Most of us have some dark times that her anguish captures so well.
Yea, the conviction she sings with is on another level! I loved this.
If this is a gut punch for you, you are more religious than you think. The fact that you can feel the darkness enveloping Kristina suggests that. A truly irreligious person would not be able to relate.
@@andredarin8966 Haha. I can empathize with other human beings.. even when their plight isn't exactly one I've experienced personally. I can be an empathic human without believing in a sky daddy. Just like you - who thinks I'm more like you than I believe - I can do that with Kristina. It's quite possible I don't understand her, but I still feel her pain.
Came here to say this!/ agnostic af ❤
This was a beautiful reaction to a very good song! I love Helena Sjöholm so much! Happy you felt this song as millions of us Swedes do...
IT was so beautiful
That's tough one. I cried as well when I first heard it and saw her singing it. Just like you now but without taping me. You can see in her face the tragedy and depth of emotions. You can see the whole story in her performance. She is feeling it 100%.
I have said this before, in my opinion, it feels like she summoned something during this performance that took over her. Thats the best way I can explain it. Incredible.
This is definitely heart wrenching. The singer really emotes the pain of the moment in her face. I have had alot of hardship in my life,including the medical inability to have children,so this hits home for me. Thank you once again, Tommy, for sharing more of your life with us. Love you my brother.
Thank man for sharing your story with us dude!
Yes in the face and in subtle things in the voice. Not sure non-natives can pick on all of them. Being native I can't tell what it would be.
I had the same reaction. She sings right into your heart and moves you. Amazing singer. And the music and lyrics are of course by the masters from ABBA.
Emotions are the thing that makes us human. The ability to see our own pain mirrored in others is what makes us beautiful. Empathy is not weakness, it's strength. The fact that we can understand and work with thousands of other people, even some we have never met and never will, is the thing that has allowed us to break evolution and rise to be the unmatched master of this planet. I wish I could cry more for myself. Tears is salt leaving our body that would otherwise fester in the wounds of our heart.
Sharing is strength, not weakness. Never be ashamed of having feelings, your passions and sorrows make you who you are.
This particular concert, with the cast from Kristina från Duvemåla, was made infront of Swedish decendants in America. The song "Du måste finnas" med Helen Sjöholm is from the same concert. In the audiens you will see Björn Ulveus and Benny Andersson (from ABBA) who wrote the musical. Björn and Benny introduced to the audiens the story and history behind the lyrics and the musical. I remember there was a tv program here in Sweden filming Björn and Bennys journey and the making of the musical. The final was this concert for Swedish decendants.
On the first premiere in Malmö/Sweden was a special guest invited, "Kristina" herself (her name in the musica)l. She died in 2005.
Hello from southern Sweden. I reacted exactly like you when I first heard this many years ago. You have no defense, a copy of how I felt, completely undressed. "You must be" are words that are constantly recurring. No matter how hard you show on the outside, I promise that when someone just like you suffers a huge loss, then all that's left is "you have to be there" when the shock, anger and restlessness have subsided. At least that's my experience. I am extremely proud that we have become one of several leading music nations. Björn and Benny are so much more than a part of Abba. Two geniuses / Mvh Adam
So true friend! Glad you are here.
Thank you, thank you so much for really describing what many of us feel about this song and the story behind it! Listen to Peter Jöback when he sings "when the gold turned to sand" from the same musical. It is also translated into English.
Wilhelm Moberg's book that everything is based on has focused on many stories of what people experienced!
Listened to this at least 100 times as a swede, and it still gets me. Been a while I must ad. Amazing performance by Helen that will be remembered forever. Who couldn't appreciate this? Thank you
Thanks for the sharing man! Powerful. Blessings ❤
I was so glad I got to experience this! Truly amazing.
I'm always so impressed with these english subtitles, it's not a direct translation, but a translation that makes sense, only thing is i think "you have to exist" is more accurate than "you must be real"
I am speechless. This was no performance of a song, this was an embodiment of the character. Incredible! Thank you for sharing this!
Big hugs, Tommy. I know you've been through a lot and you don't want it to be all about yourself, but it's important to share you stories. It will encourage others to share theirs. Sometimes you need silence, but at some point you need to let it all out. This is the right place to do so. Thanks Tommy and the patron who recommended this!
Love ya Dan! ❤ Appreciate you soooo much!
Love your reaction! Believe me, you are not the only beardy man that cries when you listen to this. I must have done it at least 50 times and still cry EVERY SINGLE TIME. Remember the heroes of Troy, there is a chapter in which they don´t do anything but cry! 😄 The greek word "hero" means, to my understanding, someone who has compassion. Thanks for sharing your story! We must remember that without pain there is no beauty.
Appreciste you and your kind words
The background is that she followed her husband in emigration to Minnesota USA, where they settled and got around materially quite well. Before the emigration she lost one child to starvation, and almost died on the ship over the Atlantic from Scorbut (lack of vitamin C). In US a doctor told her she could not have any more children because she would die if she got pregnant again. So she is now also “taken from her husband”
She also feels she doesn’t connect to God, which really was central for her, and she has thoughts this is because she broke the fourth commandment about staying in your country. She feels deserted by God and that is what the song is about. And YES she is fantastic and you really percieve this
this is one of the best performances in the world through history. as a swede, this is more talking with power, than singing.
I just knew you would enjoy this one. I was a bit apprehensive in recommending it since there hasn't been a lot of musicals recommended and it is quite a dark theme. I also knew it would be an emotional gut punch but that you would connect with it, as it does with me.
No one can show the vulnerability, pain, rage and pleading desperation at the same time as well as Helen. You can really feel her being utterly lost, angry and scared. As you know, I made the mistake of watching this on the bus and cried along with you.
Thank you for sharing, it must be hard to relive that memory so vividly. Much love from Sweden. You help people heal in more ways than you know❤
You are a beautiful soul! Thank you for showing this to me.
Both Helen and this song are national treasures. Love from Sweden!
I am crying with you man . This was soo strong!!! And Your story is likewise very, very strong!!!!
Sending love your way! Thank you friend!
Yeah I know.. Heard this a 100 times and still cry...
I had her mother as my teacher between first grade until fourth grade, and I remember when Helen had her breakthrough with her role as Kristina. Her mom was so proud of her, and rightly so! Helen is a once in a lifetime talent!
Thats soooo cool!
This is one of those you come back to, over and over again. And it still hits as hard as the very first time hearing it.
Check out _Gabriellas sång_
It's also by Helen Sjöholm, from a movie where her character was abused but she decided to leave that situation.
Very good, very heart wrenching.. she emotes well with both her voice and face. We all face dark times and are left to make sense of it. You can feel the struggle to still believe, yet feel betrayed in her face and voice. Very emotional piece, TY for sharing patreon and Tommy. ❤ and ✌️
well said friend.
This performance is like nothing else. It's another level. As a Swede I'm a little biased, but I love Helen and this is her best performance. You can feel her words in the deepest part of your heart. It's wonderful to see your reaction, it's pure, it's true, thank you for doing this and show your true emotions. Love from Sweden.
Don't apologize for telling your stories. It was very touching, and I appreciate your bravery of being this vulnerable to your audience.
This was the first video of you I've seen (recommended since I binged reactions to this song previously) - I instantly subscribed. Happy holidays from Sweden :)
Thank you so much friend for the love! I'm so grateful our paths have crossed.
Hugs to You Tommy!
Helen Sjöholm is one of Sweden's greatest (the greatest according to me) musical artist and a great actress. Her emotions in all she does is always amazing. This is taken from the musical "Kristina från Duvemåla" which is a Swedish musical written by former ABBA members Björn Ulvaeus (lyrics) and Benny Andersson (music). It is based on a series of four novels by the Swedish author Vilhelm Moberg. It's about a family's poverty-driven migration from Sweden to America in the mid-19th century as You mentioned.
There is an english version of this song. I think she sings that too. But thing is that the english lyrics just isn't anywhere near as raw and angry and full of pain, confusion and despair as the original swedish lyrics is.
This was the a heart gripping presentation ❤ and I share your feelings 😢. Love from Stockholm
Much love dear friend! This was such a beautiful song!
Not a faithful person myself but I can see how important it must've been for people in hard times. And as a Swede, I can also see how frightening it must've been breaking up and moving away (as it is to this day when people are forced to leave their homes).
And Helens performance here.. it's just amazing on so many levels. The passion, the voice and her posture.. one of my absolute favourite clips on UA-cam.
This is the best performance of anyone of anything! I just melt from hearing this. The emotion!
You should do Gabriellas sång aswell. its such a good one and you can never get enough of Helen Sjöholm!
Helen is a amazing singer
Helen Sjöholm is a national treasure here in Sweden. There is no one like her. I Watched her perform ”Du måste finnas” on a big stage a few years ago in gothenburg. She cried while singing it and probably the whole audiance aswell. Super strong moment. Very greatful that i got the chance to see her sing this masterpiece!
Thanks for reacting to this performance.
The point of music, and art in general, in my opinion, is to communicate the parts of our inner selves which we cannot express in words, and which isolate us from others. Good music breaks down that barrier and makes us feel connected to others.
I read today that they're setting up the full show once again, 10/18 2025, on the 30 year anniversary of the premiere. It will be a limited show in my hometown called Sundsvall. Helen Sjöholm is from here and they thought it would be fitting for the show(s) to be performed here. It won't be with the original actors/vocalists, but I'm sure it will still be moving!
Jäklar, jag trodde det skulle vara med orginal-casten... 😭 Ingen kan göra Kristina som Helen. ❤️❤️
I'm a huge fan of Helen, always have been. Which is probably why your video showed up in my recommended, and I have seen probably all reactions to this song but no one done it quite like you did. Don't apologize. I think every single Swede has heard this song and cried atleast once haha. It's meant to hit you where it hurts. Helen has the voice of an angel and Björn and Benny know how to write a damn near perfect song.
So thanks for this reaction. It was the best one I've seen and I immediately subscribed :)
Varmt tack! / Thank you very much indeed!
Best Regards
Christer
I am a metalhead in general, but even so I can enjoy all kind of music - and this is really beautiful ❤️ Helen Sjöholm is power, and she sings from her heart ❤️ A pure master piece!!
Thank you for sharing that story. When I wasn't feeling well, encountering something that could draw out my emotions was cathartic. I hope you're doing okay nowadays.
When I saw this musical live at the Gothenburg opera, it was a profound moment back in the nineties. Mrs Helene Sjoholm, she took control of every single person in the audience. After this song it was completely silence for a second, no air left and then, boom, and then a burst of love towards the stage! Tears on every face! ❤ Merry Christmas everyone. Blessings from Sweden.
I love watching reactions to this performance, it’s kind of like I’m watching it for the first time again through another person eyes. I promise you it’s crazier when you actually understand Swedish, her intonations and where she puts emphasis is very moving.
Swede here. Lived with this song since I was young girl, it is from the musical about people moving from Sweden to the USA in the 19th century, being poor and one of her kid died because they didnt have enough food (long story) and now she is in America but now she will die if she get pregnant again so she can't share a bed with her strong and wonderful husband, the one she loves and trust. She does not understand why the only thing she cares about: her husband and children, is the thing God takes away from her. Please read the books by Wilhelm Moberg, four books last one is The last letter to Sweden and this is from that book. Björn and Benny from Abba wrote the musical. Noone sings in like our Helen.
Amazing reaction! she totaly brings the emotions out.
We're here to hear and support you as much as to discover music.
I got so much love for ya Sage!
I am not religious.
But I am a Swede who has heard this most of my life and I still cry as if someone died every time I hear it.
If it hit you this hard with pretty good subtitles, imagine if it was your native language.
Might be the perfect performance.
Very emotional song and very emotional story from you, the waterworks definitely started during this reaction!
Yea, I was not ready for this. Beautiful song!
I was 15 years old when Kristina from Duvemåla premiered in Malmö in 1995, I never had the opportunity to see the musical live even though I was born and raised 1.5 hours drive from Malmö and it still pains me that I didn't see this live.
Since the first time I heard her sing, I have been both impressed and touched by her singing. She has an ability to both touch and engage the audience, whether it's singing in a musical or on a record, which not many people can. In short, she is absolutely magical!
Tears and chills everytime i hear this song😭❤️ just so powerful emotional delivery from the singer. Amazing 😭❤️
I was not prepared for this.
This was a beautiful reaction! A a Swedish singer myself, watching people experience Helen and this performance for the first time is soooo incredibly satisfying. 🤩 I’ve been a fan since 1996 when I saw this musical.
This is from a documentary about when the soloists traveled to Minnesota (with Björn & Benny- boys from ABBA and wrote the musical) in the 90’s to sing ”Kristina från Duvemåla” in concert in a small Swedish settler town. Where a lot of people still spoke Swedish! The choir is local and you can see a blonde lady in the background really experiencing Helen in her brilliance. 😂
I was crying with you man, just nodding along when you were clearly going through something and being speechless, I was like:
”Yes, yes, I know man I know. She does this to you. And this guy knows quality when he sees it.”
There are SOOO many other great songs from this musical! Glad to see that the translation was decent in this clip too.
There is a translated version on spotify called ”Kristina at Carnegie Hall”.. Helen sings it beautifully but the Swedish lyrics are soooo much better.
She sang this at my grandfathers funeral back in 98, and even though I wasn't born yet I have this special bond to this song. Painful and beautiful at the same time, gets me sobbing everytime.
Her performance of "So as in Heaven" is amazing too
Tommy you are awesome.
Emotions are human and to push em back is not good.
Be human !! Every one.
Much love friend! Thank you for the kind words
Bawling your eyes out is the correct response to this song!😂 gets me every time.
Kudos to the translator! I've seen a few attempts on here, but this was one of the most accurate, yet most eloquent, translations. And that is no mean feat, seeing as how traslation is part art, part science.
As I watched the concert at Carnegie Hall, it occurred to me that this was more operatic than a musical. The orchestrations were symphonic as were the chorals. Had it been trotted out as opera (and why not) you could dispense with the often clumsy attempts made in musical theater to avoid lazy rhymes while attempting to be too clever by half. Bjorn and Benny had a lot of source material for a libretto from Molberg's three novels.
Welcome into the fold, my man. This is what is called 'The Swedish anguish' (Det svenska vemodet). In this state of mind is where all our best music is created.
Dude this was so beautiful.
The song hits you.
And so do your words.
Thank you. Take care. ❤❤
😮❤ outstanding performance
Goo on man ! You are great. Hope you can get along ! And stay strong ! Don't hate your parents !
I appreciate you sharing the heavy stuff from your life. It's refreshing to hear some truth among all the shallowness in our world, thank you so much for that! Life is rough. We should all share truth more often.
Bunch of love from Sweden!
almost 20 years on youtube without leaving any meaningful comment. i just had to comment. brother. i feel your pain. thank your for being honest, pure, raw and real. it was a beautiful speech, thank you for sharing.
thanks so much for the kind words and love! That means the world. I'm so glad you are here.
Its all good.
She is one of 0:06 kind. Björn and Benny as well.
Life is hard to all. And to get a voice, sound, lyrics, Singer and an artist to diliver like This, cant be done again.
A really interesting fact about Björn och Benny, the men behind ABBA and this musical, is that they can't read or write sheet music. But they are musical geniuses anyhow
Tommy, you really should check out Jussi Björling performing O helga natt (oh holy night in Swedish) one of the best Tenor singers. That performance just hits you know? Great video as always bro ❤
Added! Thanks again dude
@@TheWolffAndTheMelody always! 🙌🏼
imagine us that actually are swedish and do understand the language….tears are rinning.. promise you something of the best…. love her increible performance….😮
”living the song” thats a gifted remark…
Greetings from Sweden...Instant subscription!!
You are amazing! Thank you for stopping by!
I dont knew how meny times I have listen to this song and it gets to me every time! Helena Sjöholm is very talented with expressing and making you feel the songs story, no matter if it is a happy, sad or just very powerfull song. I have often wondered why she didn't have a international career.
Yea this was one of the most moving performances I've ever seen!
Job´s book in Swedish with a female Job... She does this in English too, but it´s not the same because she doesn´t embody Kristina as much as she does doing the part in Swedish.
In the novel, one cause of her crisis was that she was worn out by many childbirths and wasn´t allowed to ever sleep with her husband again due to her medical condition. Age 30 something. She felt like a worthless woman. Finally she got through her crisis, made peace with God and invited her husband to her bed. She got pregnant and as predicted she died giving birth. The last thing she saw in a vision was the apple tree in the garden where she had grewn up. She passed away peacefully. Her husband, Karl-Oscar, who didn´t shared her trust in God and wanted to create his own destiny at any cost, lived many years after that and died in solitude and sorrow.
Thank you, sincerely, man.
Hope you are well.
Wow, just wow! I can't even put into words emotional this made me feel, and then when it hit you ... well I'm just glad nobody is home right now, they might get concerned 😂. Thank you for sharing.
lol dudeeee Glad I live alone hahaha
All my love to you. This song and her singing just gets to you and hits your most profound emotions.
Its such a beautiful song
We (swedes in general) are very proud of her 😊
For consolation: "I den stora sorgens famn" Live with Helen Sjöholm and the amazing Freddie Wadling. The song written by Ted Gärdestad ( In the embrace of the big sorrow)