"''Jul, jul, strålande jul''" is a
Christmas song
Christmas music comprises a variety of Music genre, genres of music regularly performed or heard around the Christmas and holiday season, Christmas season. Music associated with Christmas may be purely instrumental, or in the case of Christmas ...
with lyrics written by
Edvard Evers and music composed by
Gustaf Nordqvist. It was published in 1921.
The song has been subject to many interpretations in Sweden, other Scandinavian countries and internationally by singers, choirs and orchestras.
It was first published by music publisher Abraham Lundquist AB. The song was one of the most common Christmas carols in Sweden during the 20th century. The lyrics describe Christmas as white, then snow-filled, and depict the rest of Christmas blessings with a wish that Christmas brings light and peace. The first known recording of the song dates back to 1924 (in Swedish) with Strandbergs kvartett, as B-side of the single "Hosianna".
"Jul, jul, strålande jul" (English: Christmas, Christmas, glorious Christmas) was composed both for solo voice or voices in unison with accompaniment (organ or piano), and for choir a cappella.
Recordings
Well-known recordings of the song include
The Real Group,
Cyndee Peters,
Tommy Körberg
Bert Gustav Tommy Körberg (; born 4 July 1948) is a Swedish singer, actor and musician. English-speaking audiences know him best for his role as Anatoly/"The Russian" in the musical ''Chess''. He played the role on the 1984 concept album, and ...
,
Göteborgs Gosskör,
Linköpings Studentsångare,
Orphei Drängar,
Stockholms Studentsångare,
Anki Bagger,
Sofia Karlsson,
Sissel Kyrkjebø,
Carola Häggkvist,
Jan Malmsjö,
Göran Lindberg and
Thorleifs. In 2008 the song was recorded by
Amy Diamond on her album ''En helt ny jul''. In 2009, E.M.D. interpreted it on their album Välkommen hem,
Sissel & Odd on their album ''
Strålande jul'' and in 2010 Sanna, Shirley, Sonja on their album ''Vår jul''. In 2012,
Sanna Nielsen
Sanna Viktoria Nielsen (born 27 November 1984) is a Sweden, Swedish singer, television presenter and musical theatre performer. On her seventh attempt, she won Melodifestivalen 2014, Melodifestivalen in 2014 with the song "Undo (Sanna Nielsen so ...
recorded the song for her album ''
Vinternatten''.
A recording by
Christer Sjögren entered the Swedish Singles Chart on December 14, 2002 and reached #7.
Peter Jöback
Peter Arne Jöback (born 4 June 1971) is a Swedish singer, actor and musical artist.
Jöback has acted in musical theatre, with lead roles in West End productions of ''Miss Saigon'' and ''The Witches of Eastwick''. He is also known for his port ...
sang it in his 2002 album ''Jag kommer hem igen till jul''. His version topped at #48 in 2003 on the Swedish charts.
Carola Häggkvist's version charted in 2013 and in subsequent years during the Christmas seasons on the Swedish Singles Chart. Top position reached for her version was #29 in 2018.
An English interpretation with the title "Wonderful Peace" is made by
Norman Luboff. A German version was published on Youtube, with a German text and arrangement by
Maybebop's Oliver Gies.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jul, jul, stralande jul
1921 songs
Songs in Swedish
Swedish Christmas songs
Sissel Kyrkjebø songs
Thorleifs songs
Carola Häggkvist songs