Sparven om julmorgonen facts for kids
"Sparven om julmorgonen" (which means "Sparrow on Christmas Morning" in English) is a beautiful poem written by Zachris Topelius in 1859. It's a well-known piece, especially in Finland, where it has been translated into Finnish. This poem tells a touching story, and it's often heard as a Christmas carol.
Contents
The Story Behind the Poem
Zachris Topelius wrote this poem during a sad time in his life. His young son, Rafael, had passed away the spring before he wrote "Sparven om julmorgonen." You can feel his sorrow and love for his child woven into the lines of the poem. It's a way he expressed his feelings and found comfort.
From Poem to Popular Song
Over the years, "Sparven om julmorgonen" has been turned into a song many times. The most famous version is a Christmas carol composed by Otto Kotilainen. This song was first published in a magazine called "Joulupukki" in 1913.
Many popular Finnish artists have recorded this song. Some of them include Mauno Kuusisto, Tapani Kansa, Hector, Vesa-Matti Loiri, Viikate & Timo Rautiainen, Tarja Turunen, Matti ja Teppo, Rajaton, Suvi Teräsniska, Diandra, Club for Five, and Jarkko Ahola.
What the Poem is About
The poem tells a sweet and sad story about a little sparrow and a kind girl.
The Cold Winter Day
The first part of the poem describes a cold winter day. Snow has fallen everywhere, covering the trees and freezing the lake. A small, poor sparrow has eaten all its food from the summer. It's a tough time for the little bird.
A Girl's Kindness
Then, a kind little girl stands by the door of her cozy green cottage. She calls out to the sparrow, inviting it to come and eat some grain. She knows it's Christmas time, and she feels sorry for the lonely, grey bird.
The Sparrow's Thank You
The sparrow flies happily to the girl's feet. It is very thankful for the grain she offers. The sparrow says that God will reward anyone who is a friend to those in need.
A Special Message
In the most touching part of the poem, the sparrow reveals something surprising. It tells the girl that it is not just a bird from this world. Instead, it is her little brother who passed away last spring. The sparrow explains that when the girl gave food to the poor bird, she was actually helping her own brother from heaven. This part of the poem brings comfort and hope, suggesting that acts of kindness are seen and appreciated by loved ones who are no longer with us.
See also
- List of Christmas Carols#Finland
- Sylvian Joululaulu
- Joulupuu on rakennettu
- En etsi valtaa, loistoa
