A6. Religious song

A6. Religious song
a) Den signade dag, melody from Äppelbo, Dalarna (0'50) Gustav Tillas, song, Djura, Dalarna
b) Herde, du som fåren betar, from New songs of Zion (2'20) Konrad and Axel Björkman, song Öjebyn, Norrbotten

Traditional religious songs are an integral part of Swedish folk music and few categories of song can match them in popularity. Psalms and religious songs have been used both in church and outside, in private services and services in the home. Outside church it was possible to depart from the official melodies and follow local traditions instead, a practice which has led to the survival of many older melodies to psalms and religious songs. 6 a is a Dalarna version of a hymn, 6 b a religious song from the pious 18th century collection “New songs of Zion”