Bread and roses/Bröd och rosor

[luzula]

The translation bug bites again! This is only likely to be of interest to Swedish (or Danish) speakers, but. Obviously I was inspired by the Pride movie--after I watched it, I searched the web, thinking that surely this song must be translated into Swedish already. But no, so I went ahead and did it. Then later I dug into the university library archives and did find an obscure translation from the 70's, but I like mine better (it has no rhymes, but I don't mind that). Hopefully I'll get to perform it with my sister some time.

När vi tågar framåt, i den skönhet dagen ger
Så många mörka köksvrår och så mången grå fabrik
Lyses upp som hade solen trängt igenom mörka molnen
När alla hör oss sjunga: Bröd och rosor! Bröd och rosor!

När vi tågar framåt, så slåss vi ock för män
För de är kvinnors bröder och vi deras systrar är
Vi vill inte slita hårt ifrån vi föds tills livet slutar
Hjärtan svälter liksom kroppar, ge oss bröd, men också rosor!

När vi tågar framåt, så många döda kvinnor
Ropar genom sången sitt eviga rop på bröd
Deras trötta själar hade ingen ork för lust och skönhet
Ja, vi slåss för bröd på bordet, men vi slåss för rosor med!

När vi tågar framåt, vi slåss för bättre dar
När kvinnorna sig reser följer hela världen med
Ej mer ska många slita medan några skördar frukten
Vi vill dela livets goda: bröd och rosor! Bröd och rosor!


As we come marching, marching in the beauty of the day,
A million darkened kitchens, a thousand mill lofts gray,
Are touched with all the radiance that a sudden sun discloses,
For the people hear us singing: "Bread and roses! Bread and roses!"

As we come marching, marching, we battle too for men,
For they are women's children, and we mother them again. [Ha, no, I changed this line.]
Our lives shall not be sweated from birth until life closes;
Hearts starve as well as bodies; give us bread, but give us roses!

As we come marching, marching, unnumbered women dead
Go crying through our singing their ancient cry for bread.
Small art and love and beauty their drudging spirits knew.
Yes, it is bread we fight for--but we fight for roses, too!

As we come marching, marching, we bring the greater days.
The rising of the women means the rising of the race.
No more the drudge and idler--ten that toil where one reposes,
But a sharing of life's glories: Bread and roses! Bread and roses!

Comments

I know this song well

[jesse_the_k]

...and have been involved in several rewrites of the problematic second verse. The couplet I prefer matches the early 20c rhetorical style

As we come marching, marching, we battle too for men,
If solely we should triumph, what profit to us then?

Other versions proliferate wherever women are irritated; these are the two I remember

As we come marching, marching, we battle too for men,
For they are women's children, let the mothers speak again.

As we come marching, marching, we battle too for men,
When they get themselves together, we'll work with them again.

There are family rumors that the mysterious Hungarian great-grandfather was a union organizer, and when he stepped onto the train platform near Lawrence, MA to mix it up with the police, he was rushed back on the train to Philadelphia. (Oppenheim wrote the poem about those Lawrence strikers, as you undoubtedly already know.)

Would you back translate your improvement for me?

I'd love to hear your sister-song of it. I sang close harmony with a talented singer for two years, and she came up with a grand high soprano second part. I wish I had a recording, but happily it still plays in my brain.

Re: I know this song well

[luzula]

My version goes:

As we come marching, marching, we battle too for men,
For they are women's brothers and we sisters are to them.

I'll put up a recording when we get it together--I sing the melody and I made a soprano harmony for her. I'm hoping to lure her up here so we can perform it together on May Day.

[kabal42]

I like your translation - and I think you handled that second verse very well.
Incidentally, there is something about the bread and roses that always brings to mind the story-in-story in "V for Vendetta" about the lesbian couple and their roses. (It is lovely and sad.)

[luzula]

Thank you! Hmm, I only vaguely remember that story from V for Vendetta--it's been years since I watched the movie.

[kabal42]

It is actually one of the elements of the story that is translated very well into the movie, I think :) If you feel like a rewatch. (Or trying a read of the graphic novel.)

[calvinahobbes]

*applauds* I loved this song in the movie (chills, every time, still), and I'm impressed with your translation.

[luzula]

Thanks! Maybe we should watch it at a meet-up together sometime. *also gets chills, but more from the ending*

[kabal42]

*had chills and tears at the ending* *would be up for a watch*

[luzula]

Um, yeah. I might also have cried.

[calvinahobbes]

Omg the endinggg!!! The ending is amazing. I would love to watch it at a meetup! Weren't we talking about scheduling something well in advance, btw?

[luzula]

Yes it is! We could all watch it together and sniffle.

I'd love to have a Copenhagen meet-up next time--less travel time for me.