Theodor Larsson
Encyclopedia
Theodor Larsson was born June 8, 1880 in Gylle parish near the town of Trelleborg
in Skåne. He died June 30, 1937 in Mjölby
. A Swedish bondkomiker (rustic comic) and lyricist, his professional name was Skånska Lasse (Skåning Lasse). Larsson worked as a cabinetmaker in Malmö
, then for a short time in Stockholm before moving to Östergötland
, where he found employment at a furniture factory in Mjölby
. It was during his time there that he embarked on his course as an entertainer. He often performed in a long coat with a flowery vest while playing the accordion. Married twice, he was the father of eleven children, several of whom also became entertainers.
Larsson was a prolific songwriter, who developed a talent for writing lyrics about topical events. He even found humor in technological advances as his protagonists grappled with electricity, radio and motorized transport. The song Motorcykeln (The Motorcycle) became a hit for the singer Ernst Rolf
and was also recorded in America by Olle i Skratthult and Ragnar Hasselgren. Another of his compositions, Josefin mä symaskin (Josephine with the sewing machine), crossed the Atlantic in a version by Bert Leman.
Skånska Lasse made many recordings himself. Sven Svenssons Sven — later recorded by the Swedish-American singers Olle i Skratthult and Charles G. Widdén
— brought up the subject of temperance
while De rysliga bolshevikerna (The terrible bolsheviks) was a sly piece of political satire. The latter song was recorded in 2009 by the Swedish actor Sven Wollter
.
There is one song above all others for which Lasse is remembered, Bonnjazz (Country dance), which he recorded in 1924. The song, one of the best-known works in Swedish popular music, has gone by many names, including Jazz på landet (Dance in the country) and Johan på snippen (Johan on the snippet of land). In America it was recorded by Lydia Hedberg in 1925 and Olle i Skratthult in 1927.
Wahlberg, who was an engineer by profession, lived in Örebro
in the province of Närke
. When the iron industry flourished in the mining region of Bergslagen
, people would come to Örebro
to do business at Hindersmässan (The St. Henry’s Fair), an annual event which has continued until the present day. Wahlberg used to amuse himself on the piano, and one time after a visit to the local fair he set down some musical impressions. The result was a schottische he called Hindersmässan.
Ernst Rolf
purchased the melody from Wahlberg and passed it on to Larsson, who then set about writing suitable lyrics. Hindersmässan was the only melody that Wahlberg ever published, and over the years there has been some confusion about his name. Some have thought the composer to be Gideon Wahlberg, a Swedish songwriter best known for the waltz Svinnsta skär. It was Walter Larsson, the lyricist’s son, who finally tracked down G. R. Wahlberg and saw to it that he received royalty payments for the composition.
Near Skånska Lasse’s home was a cottage on a small plot of land. He based Johan på snippen partly on the neighbor who lived there but also drew upon on his knowledge of local customs and folk festivals, having written many such verses before.
Wahlberg’s famous tune has inspired countless parodies, the most notable being Johan på snippens Ford (Johan på snippen’s Ford) with lyrics by Skånska Lasse and Johan på snibbens dammsugsmaskin (Johan på snibben’s vacuum cleaner) with lyrics by Erik Eriksson. Both songs were recorded by Eric P:son Friberg in the late 1920s.
Swedish music and film
Swedish folk parks
Selected recordings at the National Library of Sweden
Encyclopedic Discography of Victor Recordings
Recordings at the Internet Archive
Swedish lyrics
Trelleborg
Trelleborg is a locality and the seat of Trelleborg Municipality, Skåne County, Sweden with 25,643 inhabitants in 2005. It is the southernmost town in Sweden.-History:...
in Skåne. He died June 30, 1937 in Mjölby
Mjölby
Mjölby is a city and the seat of Mjölby Municipality, Östergötland County, Sweden with 11,927 inhabitants in 2005.Mjölby is located by the rivulet Svartån. The name "Mjölby" is derived from "Mölloby", which comes from mylna or mölna -- meaning "mill"...
. A Swedish bondkomiker (rustic comic) and lyricist, his professional name was Skånska Lasse (Skåning Lasse). Larsson worked as a cabinetmaker in Malmö
Malmö
Malmö , in the southernmost province of Scania, is the third most populous city in Sweden, after Stockholm and Gothenburg.Malmö is the seat of Malmö Municipality and the capital of Skåne County...
, then for a short time in Stockholm before moving to Östergötland
Östergötland
Östergötland, English exonym: East Gothland, is one of the traditional provinces of Sweden in the south of Sweden. It borders Småland, Västergötland, Närke, Södermanland, and the Baltic Sea. In older English literature, one might also encounter the Latinized version, Ostrogothia...
, where he found employment at a furniture factory in Mjölby
Mjölby
Mjölby is a city and the seat of Mjölby Municipality, Östergötland County, Sweden with 11,927 inhabitants in 2005.Mjölby is located by the rivulet Svartån. The name "Mjölby" is derived from "Mölloby", which comes from mylna or mölna -- meaning "mill"...
. It was during his time there that he embarked on his course as an entertainer. He often performed in a long coat with a flowery vest while playing the accordion. Married twice, he was the father of eleven children, several of whom also became entertainers.
Larsson was a prolific songwriter, who developed a talent for writing lyrics about topical events. He even found humor in technological advances as his protagonists grappled with electricity, radio and motorized transport. The song Motorcykeln (The Motorcycle) became a hit for the singer Ernst Rolf
Ernst Rolf
Ernst Rolf, real name Ernst Ragnar Johansson, , was a Swedish revue actor and singer. In the 1920s he was famous for producing revues that were acclaimed for their dazzling sets, first class actors and stirring music. He was also a lyricist and composer...
and was also recorded in America by Olle i Skratthult and Ragnar Hasselgren. Another of his compositions, Josefin mä symaskin (Josephine with the sewing machine), crossed the Atlantic in a version by Bert Leman.
Skånska Lasse made many recordings himself. Sven Svenssons Sven — later recorded by the Swedish-American singers Olle i Skratthult and Charles G. Widdén
Charles G. Widdén
-Swedish-American entertainer:Charles G. Widdén was a Swedish immigrant performer in the first quarter of the 20th Century. As a young child Widdén came with his family to Worcester, Massachusetts. He is said to have been from the Swedish province of Närke...
— brought up the subject of temperance
Temperance movement
A temperance movement is a social movement urging reduced use of alcoholic beverages. Temperance movements may criticize excessive alcohol use, promote complete abstinence , or pressure the government to enact anti-alcohol legislation or complete prohibition of alcohol.-Temperance movement by...
while De rysliga bolshevikerna (The terrible bolsheviks) was a sly piece of political satire. The latter song was recorded in 2009 by the Swedish actor Sven Wollter
Sven Wollter
Sven Wollter is a Swedish actor. He was born and grew up in Gothenburg.Sven Wollter is an actor in Sweden and has starred in many films such as, The Man on the Roof, The Man from Majorca, Änglagård and Jerusalem, based on the novel by Selma Lagerlöf...
.
There is one song above all others for which Lasse is remembered, Bonnjazz (Country dance), which he recorded in 1924. The song, one of the best-known works in Swedish popular music, has gone by many names, including Jazz på landet (Dance in the country) and Johan på snippen (Johan on the snippet of land). In America it was recorded by Lydia Hedberg in 1925 and Olle i Skratthult in 1927.
Johan på snippen
The song commonly known as Johan på snippen was first published in 1922. It had music by Gaston René Wahlberg and words by Skånska Lasse (Theodor Larsson). The two men never met.Wahlberg, who was an engineer by profession, lived in Örebro
Örebro
-Sites of interest:Örebro's old town Wadköping is located on the banks of Svartån . It contains many 18th and 19th century wooden houses, along with museums and exhibitions....
in the province of Närke
Närke
' is a Swedish traditional province, or landskap, situated in Svealand in south central Sweden. It is bordered by Västmanland to the north, Södermanland to the east, Östergötland to the southeast, Västergötland to the southwest, and Värmland to the northwest...
. When the iron industry flourished in the mining region of Bergslagen
Bergslagen
Bergslagen is a historically, culturally, and linguistically distinct mining district located north of Lake Mälaren in northern Svealand, Sweden. In Bergslagen mining and metallurgic industry have been important since the Middle Ages...
, people would come to Örebro
Örebro
-Sites of interest:Örebro's old town Wadköping is located on the banks of Svartån . It contains many 18th and 19th century wooden houses, along with museums and exhibitions....
to do business at Hindersmässan (The St. Henry’s Fair), an annual event which has continued until the present day. Wahlberg used to amuse himself on the piano, and one time after a visit to the local fair he set down some musical impressions. The result was a schottische he called Hindersmässan.
Ernst Rolf
Ernst Rolf
Ernst Rolf, real name Ernst Ragnar Johansson, , was a Swedish revue actor and singer. In the 1920s he was famous for producing revues that were acclaimed for their dazzling sets, first class actors and stirring music. He was also a lyricist and composer...
purchased the melody from Wahlberg and passed it on to Larsson, who then set about writing suitable lyrics. Hindersmässan was the only melody that Wahlberg ever published, and over the years there has been some confusion about his name. Some have thought the composer to be Gideon Wahlberg, a Swedish songwriter best known for the waltz Svinnsta skär. It was Walter Larsson, the lyricist’s son, who finally tracked down G. R. Wahlberg and saw to it that he received royalty payments for the composition.
Near Skånska Lasse’s home was a cottage on a small plot of land. He based Johan på snippen partly on the neighbor who lived there but also drew upon on his knowledge of local customs and folk festivals, having written many such verses before.
Wahlberg’s famous tune has inspired countless parodies, the most notable being Johan på snippens Ford (Johan på snippen’s Ford) with lyrics by Skånska Lasse and Johan på snibbens dammsugsmaskin (Johan på snibben’s vacuum cleaner) with lyrics by Erik Eriksson. Both songs were recorded by Eric P:son Friberg in the late 1920s.
External links
ArticlesSwedish music and film
Swedish folk parks
Selected recordings at the National Library of Sweden
- Bonnjazz
- Johan på snibbens dammsugsmaskin
- Johan på snippens Ford
- Josefin mä symaskin
- Motorcykeln
- Sven Svenssons Sven
Encyclopedic Discography of Victor Recordings
Recordings at the Internet Archive
Swedish lyrics