Himmelen Inom
Himmelen Inom (Heaven within) is a Swedish folkmass that I have compiled.
After rejoicing in the Latinamerican and
African folk-masses the inevitable question came to us Swedes: ”But what about
us? What would a Swedish liberation mass sound like?”
I realized soon that this was nothing I could
do on my own. The whole point of a ”folk-mass” is that it is not a dictated
declaration coming from above but rather the process of formulating and creating
a creed together.
An intense period of workshops and gatherings
followed. In community halls and churches, with company choirs and university
choirs, in song and dialogue, dancing and painting people got together and new images
were conceived.
A lot circled around a new way of seeing,
of breaking up from old
hierarchical models, about meetings and reconciliation – about the Child.
At first I thought we were preparing the way
for a Christmas Mass. But my joy was overwhelming when I realized it was not
about the birth of a child far away and long ago. It was about here and now,
about my own – and everybody’s – eternal and holy child; it was about ”Heaven
within!”
This mass is dedicated in gratitude to
everyone who has helped to form it: angels and humans, from near and far, from
now and long ago.
Anders Nyberg
Songs:
1 Locklåt
3 Bereden väg för Herran
6 Kom som ett barn till mig (Kyrie)
7 Äran till Gud (Gloria)
12 Den signade dag