Songs in Act One
“Fourth of July og søttende mai”
1. Reflections about leaving Norway, which was in a union with Sweden. The countries shared the king, but Norway had its own constitution, parliament, and laws. The immigrants arrived in the USA shortly after the Civil War, when there were 37 states and Ulysses S. Grant was president. In Norway there was a shortage of farmland and crops often failed, but in the USA, folks can claim land under the Homestead Act almost free of charge. In America there are more opportunities, but these folks will always be Norwegian Americans and celebrate both the 4th of July and 17th of May.
“Belmond is like the land of Canaan”
A song about Belmond, a land of milk and honey, corn and wheat, fruit and berries, a good place with a bright future. Summers are warm, winters are mild, the prairie soil is rich. Sun and rain nurture grazing land and forests of trees. Farms are coming along, with dairy cows, a horse or two, sheep, hogs, and hens. And children are arriving, so the future is bright. The folks feel lucky. With community spirit and Norwegian dugnad, Belmond will be The Promised Land!
“Fourth of July og søttende mai”
2. Dreams take form, the folks can picture a church and a school, houses, the community they will create. Education in English and Norwegian is the key to their children’s success; without language skills and learning a Norwegian ain’t worth nothing!
“The Shoemaker’s Children and the Carpenter’s House”
The Shoemaker’s Children run around barefoot, and their toes are cold. The carpenter’s house is a dugout on the hillside. Both the shoemaker and the carpenter dream of a better life for their families, the finest shoes and a palace fit for a queen, but there is always a reason to put things off…
“Song for Christian”
Alis sings about the Atlantic crossing, when her little brother Christian died. He was a lively 5-year-old, but suddenly he fell sick and died. She feared for her other brothers as well. But Christian Hulleberg knew how to comfort her, hold her hand, and give her hugs when she needed it.