Da vet du at det er Jul – Bilingual Lyrics Norwegian/English

• By: Ylvis
• Album: Volume 1

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the playful side of Norwegian language and culture with Ylvis's "Da vet du at det er Jul." This song is a fantastic way to learn common Christmas vocabulary while enjoying Ylvis's signature absurd humor. Its clear, carol-like structure makes the Norwegian lyrics easy to follow, even as the unexpected twists in the story keep you entertained and eager to understand every line.

[English]

Now the night is here

The snow is falling down

...

The star shows the way

Home to Christmas peace

For then they gather, those you know so well

With a hope for peace on Earth

Christmas night, the star is lit

The porridge is ready, the children wait in suspense

And we eat the protected bird

Yes, then you know it's Christmas

...

Dad does the priest prank

With false death messages

Brewing "piss gløgg"

Baking Lai wong bao (赖皇宝)

Bullying kids who go to speech therapy

Reading aloud from Wikileaks

Christmas night, the star is lit

Mom hides a body, dad searches excitedly

Before he lets out a howl

There's the body, yes now it's Christmas!

...

Christmas night, the star is lit

Dad shows wounds that have gotten infected

And we Skype with Kabul

Yes, then you know

it's Christmas

Merry Christmas

Delicious Christmas

It is Christmas

...

[Norwegian]

Nå er natten her

Snøen laver ned

Stjernen viser vei

Hjem til julefred

For da samles de, som du kjenner så godt

Med et håp om fred på jord

Julenatt, stjernen er tent

Grøten er klar, barna venter spent

Og vi spiser fredet fugl

Ja, da vet du at det er jul

Far går prestebukk

Med falske dødsbudskap

Brygger tissegløgg

Baker Lai wong bao (赖皇宝)

Mobber barn som går til logoped

Leser høyt fra Wikileaks

Julenatt, stjernen er tent

Mor gjemmer lik, pappa leter spent

Før han setter i et ul:

Der er liket, ja nå er det jul!

Julenatt, stjernen er tent

Far viser sår som har blitt betent

Og vi skyper med Kabul

Ja, da vet

du det er jul

Gledelig jul

Deilig jul

Det er jul

Key Grammar Structures

• Nå er natten her

  ➔ Present tense of the verb "å være" (to be) with the adverb "nå" (now) and locative adverbial "her" (here)

  ➔ Uses the verb "er" (is) which is the present tense of "å være". "Nå" emphasizes the present, and "her" specifies the location.

• Snøen laver ned

  ➔ Present tense of the verb "å lave" (to fall/snow) in passive form (lavare), with subject "Snøen" (the snow) and directional adverb "ned" (down).

  ➔ The verb "lavare" implies a continuous action, that the snow is falling. "Ned" indicates the direction.

• Stjernen viser vei

  ➔ Present tense of the verb "å vise" (to show) with the subject "Stjernen" (the star) and object "vei" (way).

  ➔ Uses the present tense to describe what the star *does*. "Viser" is the action, with "vei" as the thing being shown.

• For da samles de, som du kjenner så godt

  ➔ The use of the conjunction "for" (for/because), the present tense of the reflexive verb "å samles" (to gather), relative pronoun "som" (who/that), and the adverbial phrase "så godt" (so well).

  ➔ "For" introduces the reason. "Samles" indicates people coming together. "Som" refers to people. "Så godt" indicates how well you know them.

• Ja, da vet du at det er jul

  ➔ The use of the adverbial phrase "Ja, da" (Yes, then) to emphasize, the present tense of the verb "å vite" (to know), the subordinating conjunction "at" (that) and the present tense of "å være" (to be) with the subject "det" (it) and the noun "jul" (Christmas).

  ➔ "Ja, da" intensifies the statement. "Vet" is the present tense of "å vite" (to know). "At" introduces a subordinate clause. "Det er jul" is the main clause, meaning 'it is Christmas'.

• Far går prestebukk

  ➔ The simple present tense of the verb "å gå" (to walk) with the subject "Far" (Father) and the object "prestebukk" (a type of goat).

  ➔ Describes an action Father *does*. "Går" is the verb. The word choice is unusual, humorous.

• Brygger tissegløgg

  ➔ Present tense of the verb "å brygge" (to brew) with the subject implicitly assumed as "Far", and the object "tissegløgg" (urine-based gløgg).

  ➔ The verb is "brygger" (brews). The object "tissegløgg" creates a dark, humorous effect.

• Mor gjemmer lik

  ➔ Present tense of the verb "å gjemme" (to hide) with subject "Mor" (Mother) and object "lik" (corpse).

  ➔ Present tense verb "gjemmer". The object is morbid, creating contrast with the holiday theme.