This very traditional song was written by an internationally renowned Swedish painter named Anders Leonard Zorn. He attained international success as a painter, sculptor, and etching artist. Among Zorn’s portrait subjects include King Oscar II of Sweden and three American Presidents: Grover Cleveland, William H. Taft, and Theodore Roosevelt.
He is best known for his masterful paintings of people in natural settings, capturing the essence of everyday situations.
The song Fåm, Fåm, also known as Anders Zorns nubbevisa, is a welcome song. It is often sung at the beginning of parties and is written in an old version of Swedish in a local dialect from Dalarna known as “Dal-Mål”.
Fåm, fåm, fåm, fåm, ( Let’s have, Let’s have )
fåm vi lite opp i kosu ( Let’s have a little in the cup )
Fåm, fåm, fåm, fåm, ( Let’s have, Let’s have )
fåm vi lite opp i kosu ( Let’s have a little in the cup )
Jen gang och jen gang ( One time and again )
och jen gang och jen gang te ( and one more time and again )
Jen gang och jen gang ( One time and again )
och jen gang och jen gang te ( and one more time and again )
Fåm, fåm, fåm, fåm, ( Let’s have, Let’s have )
fåm vi lite opp i kosu ( Let’s have a little in the cup )
Click below for an audio sample of “Fåm, fåm” which is representative of one of many styles of music performed by Vasa Drängar. The varying dynamics and the different parts singing alternating words is also a common feature of Swedish choir style.