Jeppe Aakjær

Jeppe Aakjær (10 September 1866 – 22 (23) April 1930) was a Danish poet and novelist, a member of the 'Jutland Movement' in Danish literature". A regionalist, much of his writings was about his native Jutland. He was known for writings that reflected his concern for the impoverished and for describing rural existence.

Biographical information Jeppe was born on 10 September 1866 in Fly, Jutland, He came from a large family as he was one of eight, born to Jens Peder Jensen and Catherine Marie. His father was a farmer and Jeppe at a young age learned the family trade. This sowed the seeds of his poetic existence. His early jobs were that of a herdsboy, someone that tends cattle. His father was a hard worker and a supporter of the Venstre party (liberal). This influenced Jeppe as he showed strong liberal leanings early on. At the farm that the family lived, his grandfather also resided, in an arrangement called aftægt, which was where the parents cede ownership of the farm/business in trade for room and board until death. This system did not work well in many cases, and in Jeppe's family's case, his grandfather was tyrannical, a drunkard, and foul-mouthed. This also influenced him, as in later years he would rail against the system in his writing, in particular in Paa Aftægt: En Fortælling (In Retirement: A Story, 1907), Vredens Børn: Et Tyendes Saga (Children of Wrath: A Servant's Saga, 1907), and Bondens Søn: Skildringer fra Fjends Herred (The Peasant's Son: Pictures from the Fjend District, 1899) With this and others he would demonstrate his ability at expressing the immediacy of the folk performance as well as the Jutlandic dialect. Another good example of the ability to meld folklore with legendary themes was his early book Jens Langkniv: Af Fjends Herreds Krønike bog (Jens Longknife: From the Chronicles of the Fjend District, 1915). In this book he showed his skill at the folktale mixing with historical aspects of 16th-century Danish witchcraft. He did however keep a lasting relationship with Brandes, who continued to give good reviews to his books.

In 1899, he wrote his first major literary piece, Bondens Søn (The Peasant's Son), in which in an autobiographical manner relates the story of a poor Jutlander, Jens. Jens moves to Copenhagen and battles with the conservative Christianity that was instilled in him by his grandfather. In time Jens returns home with a girlfriend in tow, but rather than a glorious homecoming, he receives instead the feelings of provincialism and negativity towards the freedoms of the big city. In time he inherits his fathers farm, marries his hometown sweetheart, but never gives into the traditional peasant culture. The collection, Vadmelsfolk: Hedefortællinger (Homespunfolk: Heath Stories, 1900) was released around Christmas 1900, but saw lackluster sales which forced Jeppe to seek a new publisher. His next project deviated from his typical fare and in 1905 and 1906, he released a series of poetic pieces: Fri Felt: En Digstamlin (Open Field: A Poem Collection, 1905), Rugens Sange og Andre Digte (Songs of the Rye and Other Poems, 1906). The second book was generally considered to be his best work ever, and it contains Jens Langkniv (Jens Longknife). This marriage was the opposite of his first, as it was happy and long. Together they had two children, Esben, a son, and Solvejg, a girl. 1908, saw the state issuing him an 800 kroner stipend annually, which along with his publishing money ensured financial security. In 1910, Jeppe started what would become an annual event, the Jenlefest, a folk festival. These would become famous for their mix of politics, literary figures, and farmers. They would continue until 1929. 1907, also saw him branch into the dramatic, as he wrote the piece, Livet paa Hegnsgaard: Bondekomedie i fire Akter (Life at Hegns Farm: Rural Comedy in Four Acts). The play was originally written (most of it) in 1901, but was rejected by the Folketeater (People's Theater) in Copenhagen. When a friend convinced him to finish in it 1907, it became a commercial success, even though he was not very happy with the actor's ability to capture the nuances of Jutland. His next play, Ulvens Søn: Skuespil i fire Akter (The Wolf's Son: Play in Four Acts, 1909) brought with it social ideas similar to Vredens Børn. In 1911 he released what he felt was his best play, Naar Bønder elsker: Skuespil i femn Akter (When Peasant's Love: Play in Five Acts, 1911), which did not receive as good a reception as his earlier plays. His last two plays, Himmelbjærgpræsten: Et Skuespil (The Minister of Himmelbjæarg: A Play, 1917) and Rejsegildet: Skuespil i 5 Akter (The Going-Away Party: Play in 5 Acts, 1925) were never performed. reveal his appreciation for the harvest. Because of their lyrical quality, many of these poems were used as settings for songs by various 20th Century Scandinavian composers, such as Carl Nielsen. ("...his 'Jens Vejmand' (music by Carl Nielsen) is virtually a modern folk song." whose Auld lang syne he translated into Jutlandish dialect.) Together with Johannes Vilhelm Jensen and Martin Andersen Nexø, Aakjær is considered a "new realist" from the 1910s. Some consider him a literary figure of transition between old rural culture and modern socialist agitation. As a castigator of society, he was popular, even among his opponents.

His first wife was the author Marie Bregendahl, known for her regionalist works.

The Oats Aakjær's poem Havren (The Oats) was first published in his poetry collection "Vejr og Vind og Folkesind" from 1916. As his other poetry, it is mostly a salute to nature, in contrast to his otherwise very political agitation and writing. Havren is a poem in twelve verses, and a melody was composed for it in 1917 by Aksel Agerby. Today, only seven or eight of the original twelve verses are sung, and the song is often referred to as Jeg er havren (I am the oats).

Original poem in Danish HAVREN

Jeg er Havren. Jeg har Bjælder paa, mer end tyve, tror jeg, paa hvert Straa. Bonden kalder dem for mine Fold. Gud velsigne ham, den Bondeknold!

Jeg blev saaet, mens glade Lærker sang over grønne Banker Dagen lang; Humlen brumled dybt sin Melodi, og et Rylefløjt gled ind deri.

Viben fløj om Brak og Pløjemand og slog Kryds for baade Plov og Spand. Kryds slog Bonden ogsaa over mig for at gi’ mig Helse med paa Vej.

Mens i Dug jeg groede Fod for Fod, groede Sangen sammen med min Rod; den, som ydmyg lægger Øret til, hører Lærkens Triller i mit Spil.

Det kan kolde Hjærner ej forstaa Jeg er Lærkesangen paa et Straa, Livets Rytme døbt i Sommerdræ, mer end Gumlekost for Øg og Fæ.

Søndenvinden, o! han har mig kjær; derfor kan han aldrig la’ mig vær’, smyger sig med Hvisken til mig ind nu ved højre, nu ved venstre Kind.

Naar han puster paa min gule Top, maa jeg vugge med ham ned og op, indtil alle mine Bjælder gaar, som naar gyldne Hamre sammen slaar.

Juniregnen gjorde myg min Muld, Julisolen gav mig af sit Guld, Sundhed risler mig i Top og Skaft. Det er derfra Plagen har sin Kraft.

Jeg er Ven med Dug og Grødevejr, Ven med Landets lyse Bøgetræer, Ven med al den danske Sæd, som gror øst for Hav som vest for Sund og Fjord.

Jeg faar Solens sidste lange Blink, før den dukker ned bag gullig Brink, og naar Aftenklokken ringer Fred, staar jeg paa min Taa og ringler med.

Jeg skal ringle Barnet til dets Seng, ringle Taagen op af Sump og Eng, ringle Freden over Hjemmet ind, ringle Bønnen frem i fromme Sind.

Jeg er Havren. Mine Bjælder gaar over lyse Vange Aar for Aar, ringler om, hvor Sang og Kjærve gror herligt sammen paa den danske Jord.

Jeppe Aakjær

Trimmed poem in Danish JEG ER HAVREN

Jeg er havren. Jeg har bjælder på, mer end tyve, tror jeg, på hvert strå. Bonden kalder dem for mine fold. Gud velsigne ham, den bondeknold!

Jeg blev sået, mens glade lærker sang over grønne banker dagen lang; humlen brumled dybt sin melodi, og et rylefløjt gled ind deri.

Mens i dug jeg groede fod for fod, groede sangen sammen med min rod; den, som ydmyg lægger øret til, hører lærkens triller i mit spil.

Det kan kolde hjerner ej forstå: Jeg er lærkesangen på et strå, livets rytme døbt i sommerdræ, mer end gumlekost for øg og fæ.

Jeg er ven med dug og grødevejr. ven med landets lyse bøgetræer, ven med al den danske sæd, som gror øst for hav og vest for sund og fjord.

Jeg får solens sidste lange blink, før den dukker ned bag gullig brink, og når aftenklokken ringer fred, står jeg på min tå og ringler med.

Jeg skal ringle barnet til dets seng, ringle tågen op af sump og eng, ringle freden over hjemmet ind, ringle bønnen frem i fromme sind.

Jeg er havren. Mine bjælder går over lyse vange år for år, ringler om, hvor sang og kærve gror herligt sammen på den danske jord.

Højskolesangbogen (v. 3 and 6-8 are left out)