Norway
"Norges Skaal" (Norway's Toast)

Words by: Johan Nordahl Brun
Music by: Ernest Modeste Grétry
In use to: 1820

Written in 1771 by a Norwegian student in Copenhagen during the time that Norway was in a "personal union" with Denmark, the work was probably adapted to Belgian composer Grétry's melody after Brun heard it in an opera house in Copenhagen. "Norges Skaal" (also sometimes referred to as "For Norge, Kjaempers Fødeland" from the first line of the song) served as an unofficial anthem of Norway, even though the song was prohibited by the Danish authorities. Danish rule lasted until 1814 when, after a brief period of independence, Norway entered into a union with Sweden, which was dissolved in 1905, resulting in full Norwegian independence.

"Norges Skaal" was retained for the first few years under Swedish rule until 1820, no longer under a prohibited status, but it still remained unofficial.

Special thanks to: Stein Are Karlsen for the lyrics and some of this information.

See also: Norway (1820-1864), Norway.