Sweden's National Day 2014

June 6 is Sweden's National Day and the Swedish Flag's Day in first life.

In SecondLife it has also been proclaimed to be the International Kiss-A-Swede Day by The Much Honored Bock McMillan, laird of Southern Charm, prince of Cascade Falls, Sovereign Ruler of the Commonwealth of The Southern Enchantment Region and Outer Territories and by the United Nations appointed Protector of the Solace Island and Mount Whitney sims. 

To celebrate the day I am - as has become my habit - going to share with you the song that should rightfully be Sweden's National Anthem (if everyone would just listen to me).



This is a lousy concert version. Ulf is most likely more than a little drunk and is taking far too many liberties with his own beautiful song, but all other versions on the Internet have limited permissions and could not be viewed by International audiences. I am indebted to my friend Petr Hastings-Vanbeeck for helping me find this video, as something is better than nothing!

I Feel Best In Open Landscapes
music and lyrics by Ulf Lundell (lyrics translated to English by Bock McMillan)

I feel best in open landscapes, close to the sea I want to live
A few months throughout the year, so I can get peace within
I feel best in open landscapes, where winds are blowing full
Where the larks fly free up to the sky, and singing wonderful
There I make my own aquavit, and flavor it with St. John´s Wort
And drink it with pleasure, with herring and homemade bread
I feel best in open landscapes, close to the sea I want to live.

I feel best in peace and freedom, for both body and soul
No one comes too close to me, who shuts in and steals
I feel best when the day is breaking, where fields are filled with light
When cocks crow far away, where it´s far to the closest house
But still so close, that one quiet silent night
When you're sitting under the stars, you can still hear the laughter
I feel best in peace and freedom, for both body and soul

I feel best when the sea is swelling, and gulls are crying high
When the beach is filled with seashells, with the oceans sound inside
When the clear and the simple, can exist the way it wants
Where yes is yes, and no is no, and doubt is lying low
Then I tie a ring of leafs, and lay it on the closest rock
Where runes were cut for our sake, once so long ago
I feel best when the sea is swelling, and the gulls are crying high

I feel best in open landscapes, close to the sea I want to live.

Sweden's National Day

June 6 is Sweden's National Day, the Swedish Flag's Day and the International Kiss-A-Swede Day in SecondLife.

The two first will be celebrated in a slightly self-conscious manner all over Sweden (Unlike many other nationalities we Swedes always feel a bit apprehensive with overt displays of patriotism or nationalism - except when it comes to sport.) As you have already been informed, the laird has capriciously decided to cancel the celebration of the third International Kiss-A-Swede Day in SecondLife due to "bad weather".

All please stand up for what should rightfully be made the Swedish National Anthem if the world was a just and righteous place.

I Feel Best In Open Landscapes
music and lyrics by Ulf Lundell (lyrics translated to English by Bock McMillan)

I feel best in open landscapes, close to the sea I want to live

A few months troughout the year, so I can get peace within

I feel best in open landscapes, where winds are blowing full

Where the larks fly free up to the sky, and singing wonderful

There I make my own aquavit, and flavor it with St. John´s Wort

And drink it with pleasure, with herring and homemade bread

I feel best in open landscapes, close to the sea I want to live.

I feel best in peace and freedom, for both body and soul

No one comes too close to me, who shuts in and steals

I feel best when the day is breaking, where fields are filled with light

When cocks crow far away, where it´s far to the closest house

But still so close, that one quiet silent night

When you're sitting under the stars, you can still hear the laughter

I feel best in peace and freedom, for both body and soul

I feel best when the sea is swelling, and gulls are crying high

When the beach is filled with seashells, with the oceans sound inside

When the clear and the simple, can exist the way it wants

Where yes is yes, and no is no, and doubt is lying low

Then I tie a ring of leafs, and lay it on the closest rock

Where runes were cut for our sake, once so long ago

I feel best when the sea is swelling, and the gulls are crying high

I feel best in open landscapes, close to the sea I want to live.

International Kiss-A-Swede Day Is Today!

Today is Sweden´s National Day and the Swedish Flag Day, but more importantly it is also the second annual

International Kiss-A-Swede Day in SecondLife.

The amazing and breathtaking DJ FelineFemme will be there to supply us with great music. 

I am hoping to be joined by other Swedes, both women and men, to serve the yearning International community. However the Much Honored Bock McMillan, laird of Southern Charm and prince of Cascade falls, has this day also been given the powers to appoint Honorary Swedes (Valid for one day only and only while remaining on the sim of Southern Charm in SecondLife)

You and all your friends are cordially invited to join the kissfest at Southern Charm (SLurl).

BE THERE OR BE SQUARE!

Now, all please rise for what should rightfully be made the Swedish National Anthem if the world was a just and righteous place.

I Feel Best In Open Landscapes
music and lyrics by Ulf Lundell (lyrics translated to English by Bock McMillan)

I feel best in open landscapes, close to the sea I want to live

A few months trough out the year, so I can get peace within

I feel best in open landscapes, where winds are blowing full

Where the larks fly free up to the sky, and singing wonderful

There I make my own aquavit, and flavor it with St. John´s Wort

And drink it with pleasure, with herring and homemade bread

I feel best in open landscapes, close to sea I want to live.

I feel best in peace and freedom, for both body and soul

No one comes too close to me, and shutting in and steal

I feel best when day is breaking, where fields are filled with light

When cocks crow far away, when it´s far to the closest house

But still so close, that one quiet silent night

When you're sitting under the stars, you can still hear the laughter

I feel best in peace and freedom, for both body and soul

I feel best when the sea is swelling, and gulls are crying high

When the beach is filled with seashells, with the oceans sound inside

When the clear and the simple, can exist the way it wants

Where yes is yes, and no is no, and doubt is lying low

Then I tie a ring of leafs, and lay it on the closest rock

Where runes were cut for our sake, once so long ago

I feel best when the sea is swelling, and the gulls are crying high

I feel best in open landscapes, close to the sea I want to live

Open Landscapes

Sorry for that bout of groveling in selfpity and passive aggressiveness. I am back on track again, but will most likely leave the earlier post there as a reminder to myself!

Anyway, it always help to listen to Ulf Lundell. This song always gets voted into first place when Swedes are asked to suggest a new national anthem.



I feel best in open landscapes
by Ulf Lundell (translated by Bock McMillan)

I feel best in open landscapes, close to the sea I want to live
A few months trough out the year, so I can get peace within
I feel best in open landscapes, where winds are blowing full
Where the larks fly free up to the sky, and singing wonderful
There I make my own aquavit, and flavor it with St. John´s Wort
And drink it with pleasure, with herring and homemade bread
I feel best in open landscapes, close to sea I want to live.


I feel best in peace and freedom, for both body and soul
No one comes too close to me, and shutting in and steal
I feel best when day is breaking, where fields are filled with light
When cocks crow far away, when it´s far to the closest house
But still so close, that one quiet silent night
When you're sitting under the stars, you can still hear the laughter
I feel best in peace and freedom, for both body and soul


I feel best when the sea is swelling, and gulls are crying high
When the beach is filled with seashells, with the oceans sound inside
When the clear and the simple, can exist the way it wants
Where yes is yes, and no is no, and doubt is lying low
Then I tie a ring of leafs, and lay it on the closest rock
Where runes were cut for our sake, once so long ago
I feel best when the sea is swelling, and the gulls are crying high


I feel best in open landscapes, close to the sea I want to live