| "My Rainbow Race" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Pete Seeger | |
| from the albumRainbow Race | |
| Released | 1973 |
| Recorded | 1973 |
| Genre | Folk |
| Songwriter(s) | Pete Seeger |
| Composer(s) | Pete Seeger |
"My Rainbow Race" is an American folk and children's song. Originally released byPete Seeger on his albumRainbow Race in 1973 with the name "My Rainbow Race".
| "Barn av regnbuen" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Lillebjørn Nilsen | |
| from the album Portrett | |
| B-side | "Alle duene" |
| Released | 1973 |
| Recorded | 1973 |
| Genre | Folk |
| Songwriter(s) | Lillebjørn Nilsen (translation) |
| Composer(s) | Pete Seeger |
The song was adapted into Norwegian byLillebjørn Nilsen as "Barn av regnbuen" (which in English means "Children of the Rainbow"). It was released in 1973, and was thesixth-highest selling single in Norway that year.
The song was performed by Nilsen and a crowd of more than 40,000 people inYoungstorget inOslo and at squares across the country on April 26, 2012, as a protest against statements given in court byAnders Behring Breivik, the perpetrator of theJuly 22 attacks in 2011. The performance was inspired byFacebook reactions after Breivik claimed in histrial testimony that the song was an example ofMarxistpropaganda and that it was being used to "brainwash" Norwegian children.[1] Organization was made at the level of Norwegian Minister of Culture, and other Ministers of Culture fromSweden,Denmark,Finland,Iceland and theFaroe Islands were also present.[2] The song was thus performed a few days later, in the midst of the ongoing trial. In Oslo thesing-along was followed by a march up to the site of the trial, where the crowd laid down flowers.[3] The song was performed both in Norwegian and English, and Nilsen had personally contacted Seeger, who responded with the words: "Oh me, oh my. I wish you luck."[4]
Psychiatrist Thor Kvakkestad criticized this public outpouring of emotions during an ongoing trial and called for a focused discussion about thehate that seems to be building in the Norwegian populace. He also compared the rally to apillory.[5]
The song was performed by delegates attending the 2012ECOSY Summer Camp held inCroatia in July and amusic video onYouTube was recorded in support of the victims of the attacks in Norway.
