1349

In the year 1349 the Black Death disembarked on the docks of Bjørgvin (Bergen). It is said that it took the plague only two years to put half of Norway’s population six feet under.

According to superstition the plague manifested itself in a woman (Pesta), and it was thought that if you saw her coming to your farm with a wooden hand-rake, she would mercifully let some survive. However, if she came and knocked on your door with her broom, one could certainly refrain from putting the kettle on...

Over sjø og elv (7, 8, 9)

Gamla tar fram en bok så stor,
å huj å hei!,
Spytter få fingrene og blar og glor,
å jøja mei!

"Så sant som jeg må over dette vann,
i huj å hei!,
Å spare ditt liv går ikke an,
å jøja mei!

Jeg tar vad jeg kan, med lov og rett,
i huj å hei!,
Men du skal få daue ganske lett,
å jøja mei!"