Nordahl Grieg in english

Yes! Finally I've found an English translation to my favorite Norwegian poem; "Til Ungdommen/Kringsatt av fiender". This poem is still important, because what it tells us about isn't bound to a specific time. It steps over the boundaries of time.

Faced by your enemies
On every hand
Battle is menacing,
Now make your stand

Fearful your question,
Defenceless, open
What shall I fight with?
Where is my weapon?

Here is your battle plan,
Here is your shield
Faith in this life of ours,
The common weal

For all our children’s sake,
Save it, defend it,
Pay any price you must,
They shall not end it

Neat stacks of cannon shells,
Row upon row
Death to the life you love,
All that you know

War is contempt for life,
Peace is creation
Death’s march is halted
By determination

We all deserve the world,
Harvest and seed
Hunger and poverty
Are born of greed

Don’t turn your face away
From needs of others
Reach out a helping hand
To all your brothers

Here is our solemn vow,
From land to land
We will protect our world
From tyrants’ hand

Defend the beautiful,
Gentle and innocent
Like any mother would
Care for her infant.

  

When I read this poem I realize that it can speak for anybody who has witnessed or been part of that devastating experience that a war is and always will be.

Even if you're surrounded by enemies, you must not give up hope! To believe in the good of men, to believe that the future can get better, that's what keep the mankind going.

So I say: Put down your guns and see that the man you're fighting is your brother. The world has enough for everybody, but as the poem says "hunger and powerty are born of greed"....