Fram, fram fylking
This is a "brúarleikur", which means "bridge game" in Icelandic. It's the same type of game as "London Bridge".
Fram, fram fylking
Flee, Flee Folks
Singing Game
Singing Game
(Icelandic)
(English)
Fram, fram fylking,
forðum okkur háska frá
því ræningjar oss vilja ráðast á.
Sýnum nú hug, djörfung og dug.
Vakið, vakið vaskir menn
því voða ber að höndum.
Sá er okkar síðast fer
mun sveipast hörðum böndum.
Flee, flee folks
Flee from the coming danger
Because the robbers want to attack us.
Let's be brave, courageous and plucky
Stay awake, stay awake, valiant men
When the attackers come
Whoever is the last one standing
Will fight for all.
Notes
Author: Ari Jónsson (1833 - 1907), written around 1880.
Game Instructions
Two children (the "robbers") hold hands and put their arms up in the air forming a "bridge". Each of those two kids is a side - in the old days it was the moon side and the sun side. The other kids go under the "bridge" in single file while singing this song. At the end of the song, the two kids forming the bridge put down their arms, capturing the child underneath. That child has to choose one side to go behind. They keep doing this until all of the kids have chosen a side. At the end, both sides play a game of tug of war to decide which side wins. The tug of war can be played either with a rope or they can go behind the kids forming the bridge and pull the kids.
Comments
This is also played in Denmark where it's called "Bro, bro brille" and in Norway with the same title. It's played in Sweden under the name of "Bro, bro breja".
Thanks!
Thanks!
Thanks!
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Many thanks to Skarphéðinn Haraldsson for helping with the translation! Final translation by Monique and Lisa.
Takk fyrir!
