„ … þú ert af guði sendur“. Trúarleg stef í textum sönglaga Sigvalda Kaldalóns

Abstract

This article, “...You are sent by God”: Religious themes of the lyrics of Sigvaldi Kaldslóns’s songs, deals with the life and work of the physician Sigvaldi Kaldalóns (1881–1946) who has for a long time been regarded as one of the most preeminent composers of Iceland even though being mostly self-educated as a musician. His work as a physician in three different parts of the country is discussed. Everywhere that Kaldalóns worked he was admired as a conscientious and dependable physician. But his presence in the districts where he served also brought a cultural awakening. Art and culture would always flourish in his vicinity. The main research question of this article, however, asks to what extend the lyrics of his songs can reveal his faith and how it is related to his background. In traditional discussion of Kaldalóns’ songs this question is usually not given much attention except in the context of his numerous Christmas carols. In the present article, it is shown that the religious material plays very important and multilateral role. Traditional Christian themes like natural revelation, a continual creation, love of neighbour, worship and holiness, hymns and laments are pointed out and discussed and so is the special combination of Christian themes and the Icelandic folk religion.