THE DANCE ON SUNNANÖ

The Dance on Sunnanö

by Evert Taube

Translated from the Swedish by Sandra Dermark

Gothenburg, 21st of August 2015

Exordio signi Virginis

There is a dance on Sunnanö, there dances Rönnerdahl

with little Eva Liljebäck in the brilliant great hall.

And through the windows a cool breeze brings from the summer night

a scent of jasmine and lilacs into the hall full of light.

And little Eva's arms are soft, and freckled is her face,

and red as berries are her lips, her new gown's full of grace.

"Herr Rönnerdahl! Why, it is you, who take whoe'er you please

of all the ladies in the world! I've heard it, yes, with ease!"

"My music's not for taking, it's for giving, mademoiselle.

I'm still wealthy, though I purchase far more than what I sell."

"What do you see, Herr Rönnerdahl? My new gown, my fair skin?"

"Yes, that and maybe something more... Bring a good violin!"

There is a dance on Sunnanö to Rönnerdahl's rondeau.

The wind dances, so do the waves, so does last winter's snow.

It whirls and twirls and waltzes the whole park and ball-room through,

and brightly dawns the summer morn and calls a lone cuckoo.

And little Eva dances with Lieutenant Rosenberg,

and not a freckle's on her face, love glows scarlet on her.

But Rönnerdahl plays like a god, pale, fair, with boldest stride,

while soaring in a higher sphere where Eva is his bride.