The Danish Julegudstjeneste in St. Louis

The fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875) are often the image evoked when the arts and intellectual life of Denmark are touched upon. Andersen's literary work, though, is only a very small part of a large body of fine artistic and intellectual endeavor from that small Scandinavian nation. Other activities that are internationally appreciated include: the philosophy of the very influential Soren Kierkegaard (1813-1855); the production of ballets; and the creation of serious music including the work of Carl Nielsen (1865-1931) and some notable nineteenth-century ballet music. The Danes have produced their share of good Christmas carols. There are several Christmas songs of note from Denmark. "Barn Jesus," ("Child Jesus"), a mid-nineteenth-century carol, has lyrics by none other than Hans Christian Andersen and music by one of Denmark's most famous composers, Niels Wilhelm Gade (18171890); "Deilig er den himmel blaa" ("Lovely is the Dark Blue Sky") pairs words by Nicolai Frederik Severin Grundtvig (1783-1872) with a modem Danish folk tune; and "Det kimer nu til Julefest" ("The Happy Christmas Comes Once More") combines another set of lyrics by Grundtvig with music by Carl C. N. Balle (1806-1855). This last song is perhaps Denmark's best-known carol. Grundtvig, who was a prominent educator, minister, and champion of mass education as well as a highly productive writer, published the lyrics for this joyous carol in 1817. While Grundtvig is one of Denmark's most famous personages, Balle, who published his melody in 1850, is obscure. Grundtvig's contribution to this carol was a minuscule part of his life. In contrast, Balle's contribution was his one contribution to history.