Johan Olof Wallin

“ His father was a military man, and some time after Johan's birth became captain of the Dalecarlia regiment. The future poet and preacher was one of a large family, much larger than accorded well with the somewhat restricted means of the captain of a regiment.
At a very early age, young Johan evinced a taste for books, and for study generally; but the circumstances of his family were not such as to encourage the hope of an academic career. As has often happened in such circumstances, the talents of the boy commanded attention; and he was not left without a good primary education. ”

“ One great secret of his literary success, both as a poet and preacher, lay in the simplicity of his style. With him there was never any striving after effect. His thoughts, whether of a [Pg 11] lofty or commonplace character, whether hortatory or didactic, whether satirical or humorous, always found natural and easy expression in language which was as direct as it was graceful and easily understood.
At the comparatively early age of thirty years, Wallin had taken his place in the front rank of the scholars and public men of his day ”

“ His great popularity with the masses naturally caused them to apply to him for all sorts of information and advice, with full confidence that he knew how to assist and advise in all matters. As an example of his oft peculiar way of treating queer questions, and yet satisfying the questioner, the following may be related: For about twenty years a number of writs and fore-tellings had frightened credulous people with the prediction that the world would perish on a certain given date. As the time drew near that date Wallin was besieged for information as to the validity of the said prediction. ”

“ Some of the finest hymns of which the Swedish language can boast, are from the pen of Johan Olof Wallin. Nor were secular themes wholly neglected. On January 20, 1808, on the occasion of the unveiling [Pg 10] of the statue of King Gustavus Third, he produced the famous Dithyramb, a song which has taken a permanent and honored place in Swedish literature. The same year he presented a similar poem to the Swedish Academy, and was rewarded with a prize of two hundred ducats, the highest prize ever given by the Academy. ”

“ At the early age of thirteen he began to help himself; and, by taking part in the education of others, he contrived to prolong his own studies, and acquired great proficiency in the classics, especially in [Pg 8] Latin. When only seventeen years of age, he made his first public appearance at the Gymnasium of Westerås, and by the delivery of a poetical speech in Latin—a speech which is still preserved and which is remarkable for its literary merits—he astonished all his seniors. Henceforth Johan Olof Wallin was a marked man among his contemporaries. ”

“ The Swedish Academy is composed of eighteen men, selected from among the most learned and literary men of the country, and is the highest tribunal to pass upon the merits of poetical essays and works of literature in general; and the very fact, that a person has been awarded a prize by this Academy, is alone sufficient to insure for him an imperishable name in the annals of Swedish literature.
[B]
"Du väktare i skyn! ”

“ In the same year, he became archbishop of Sweden and pro-chancellor of the University of Upsala.
The "Angel of Death," singularly characteristic of the author, immediately after its publication took its place in the front rank of the poetic productions of the language. The poem has never ceased to be popular. It is issued each successive year in thousands, and in all sorts of editions,—some of the recent editions de luxe are marvels of costly taste and typographic skill. His poetic productions are numerous, and they are all of a high order of merit. ”

“ To the constantly repeated question, "Is it true, Bishop, that the world shall perish on Thursday?" Wallin had always the same answer: "Please call again on Friday, and I will let you know." The questioner withdrew consoled.
[D] Wallin not only revised completely the old hymn-book of the church, but composed a very large number of the divinely beautiful and universally celebrated songs, of which the present Swedish hymn-book is composed.
[E] The literal translation of the last two lines (impossible to retain while maintaining the original meter) is:
Thou first voice in the Literary Circle! ”

“ No pomp, or treasure.
Their owners left them when on came night—
Now others claim them, with lawful right.
[Pg 26] There is no stronghold on earth erected,
No guarded fort, that can save you, known. ”

“ So cast off the soul its garment of earth, and with one voice,
Chimed in the congregation, and sang an anthem immortal
Of the sublime Wallin, of David's Harp in the North-land."
For thirty-one years, Wallin occupied a place, prouder, in many respects, than the Swedish throne itself,—recognized and honored by his countrymen as their greatest scholar, their greatest preacher, and one [Pg 14] of their greatest poets. In June, 1839, in his sixtieth year, the angel of death, of whom he had written so well, approached him with his sad summons ”

“ How far I have [Pg 6] been successful it is hardly for me to say. As it is, I give it to the reading public.
The poem has undoubted merits in the original. If the merits are concealed in the translation, the fault is mine.
A. W. ALMQVIST.
[Pg 7]
BIOGRAPHY OF THE AUTHOR. Gathered from the files in the Royal Academy of Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden.
Johan Olof Wallin, (pronounced Valleen) , the author of the "The Angel of Death," was a native of Sweden, and was born in the parish of Stora Tuna, in the province of Dalarne (Dalecarlia) , October 15, 1779. ”