Luciamorgon = Lucia Morning

Every year on 13 December, one of the most famous of all Swedish celebrations takes place: St. Lucia Day, a festival of light in the long, dark Scandinavian winter. Traditionally the oldest girl in a family rises early on St. Lucia Day. Dressed in a white gown with a red sash around her waist and a wreath of candles on her head – these days electric crowns are often used, especially for small children – she goes from room to room singing carols and bearing her tray of lussekatter (saffron buns), gingerbread cookies, coffee, and glögg (hot spiced mulled wine).

Benny and Helen Sjöholm took part in the annual Lucia morning celebrations at Uppsala Cathedral. They performed three songs with the Uppsala Cathedral Choir and the Stockholm Brass Orchestra. Joining them were BAO! members Göran Arnberg (organ) and Olle Moreaus (violin).

The three songs were:

1. Vinterhamn (Winter Harbour)
   This was a Benny and Björn composition and was sung by Helen Sjöholm accompanied by Benny on the piano, Olle Moreaus on violin and a trumpeteer.
   
   
2. En skrift i snön
   A Benny composition with lyrics by Kristina Lugn.  Benny played piano while a choir sang the song and Olle Moreaus played violin.
   
   
3. Nu tändas tusen juleljus
   This was a traditional Swedish Christmas song and has been recorded by Agnetha, The Hep Stars and The Hootenanny Singers.  Helen Sjöholm sang, joined by the choir and accompanied by Benny on piano and Olle Moreaus on violin.

The programme was repeated the same day in Sweden on SVT2 and SVT24.

St. Lucia Day

Thanks to Steve Layton, Gunnar Moe and Harry Ehler.
YouTube links c/o Kim Zpring and Stephen Layton