Det kimer nu til julefest

Danish Christmas carol You can help expand this article with text translated from the corresponding article in Norwegian.  (December 2014) Click [show] for important translation instructions. View a machine-translated version of the Norwegian article. Machine translation, like DeepL or Google Translate, is a useful starting point for translations, but translators must follow the LLM translation guideline, revise errors as necessary and confirm that the translation is accurate, rather than simply copy-pasting machine-translated text into the English Wikipedia. Do not translate text that appears unreliable or low-quality. If possible, verify the text with references provided in the foreign-language article. You must provide copyright attribution in the edit summary accompanying your translation by providing an interlanguage link to the source of your translation. A model attribution edit summary is Content in this edit is translated from the existing Norwegian Wikipedia article at [[:no:Det kimer nu til julefest]]; see its history for attribution. You may also add the template {{Translated|no|Det kimer nu til julefest}} to the talk page. For more guidance, see Wikipedia:Translation. "Det kimer nu til julefest" (The Happy Christmas Comes Once More) is a Danish Christmas carol. The lyrics were written by the Danish poet N.F.S. Grundtvig in 1817, and the music was composed by Carl Christian Nicolaj Balle in 1850.

[edit] Grundtvig wrote the hymn with inspiration from Martin Luther's "Vom Himmel hoch da komm’ Ich her". In 1810, he wrote it as "Fra Himmelen højt komme vi nu her", and in 1817 it was reworked as "Det kimer nu til julefest" with 24 stanzas. It was published in a weekly magazine on 23 December as "Morten Luthers Jule-Psalme. (Frit fordansket"). The current version of the hymn with nine stanzas is the result of several modifications, for instance by Bernhard Severin Ingemann, and was first published in a supplement to the 1877 edition of Fest-Psalmer.

[edit] The hymn was most likely written for the tune of "Fra Himlen højt kom budskab her" (Schumann, 1539), but can also be paired with the tune of "Fra Himlen kom en engel klar". The most popular tune was written by the clergyman C. Balle in 1850.

[edit] The hymn is included in the 19th edition of the Danish Folk High School Songbook, as No. 241, paired with Balle's tune. Notable recordings have been made by Swedish singer Sven-Olof Sandberg (1905–1974) and Norwegian soloist Olav Werner (1913–1992).

[edit] A number of adaptations of the song into English exist. The earliest, entitled "The Bells of Christmas Chime Once More", was translated by Charles P. Krauth in 1867. A later adaptation bore the title "O Fir Tree Dark", and was recorded by Bing Crosby in 1947. Another translation is "The Happy Christmas Comes Once More" by Charles P. Krauth.

Every December, you’ll hear "Det kimer nu til julefest" humming from the kitchen radio or drifting out of church doors. Its staying power isn’t just nostalgia; the tune’s simple, sing‑able melody makes it a natural fit for multi‑generational carol‑sing. The words, penned by N.F.S. Grund‑Grundtvig, celebrate the communal joy of the season, a sentiment that resonates strongly in Denmark’s tight‑knit neighbourhoods. Unlike glossy pop‑culture Christmas tracks, this hymn carries a modest, almost hymn‑like gravitas that feels appropriate for both a family dinner and a candlelit service, cementing its place as a cultural touchstone.

If you’re planning a Christmas gathering, consider using the hymn as a subtle thread rather than the headline act. Play a soft instrumental version as guests arrive – it sets a warm, reverent tone without overwhelming conversation. For a more interactive touch, invite friends to join a quick sing‑along after the main meal; the melody’s limited range means even non‑singers can pick it up after one listen. Pair the carol with a traditional Danish dessert like risalamande for an authentic sensory combo that marries sound and taste, giving your party a uniquely Scandinavian flavour.

Many assume "Det kimer nu til julefest" is a centuries‑old folk tune, but its lyrics date only to 1817 and the music was added over three decades later. This relatively recent creation is sometimes mistaken for a medieval carol because it feels timeless in style. Understanding its 19th‑century roots highlights Grundtvig’s role as a cultural reformer, using simple language to bring religious sentiment into everyday life. Recognising the hymn’s modern pedigree can deepen appreciation for how Danish Christmas music evolved from deliberate, literary effort rather than anonymous tradition.