The Gold Turned to Sand

Between 1860 and 1930, nearly 20 percent of Sweden's population emigrated to America, driven by hardships at home and dreams of a promised land.

Their stories were captured in a celebrated series of novels, later adapted into a powerful musical by the creators of ABBA, who also gave us Chess and Mamma Mia!. Sadly, this musical never really survived its translation into English, so the international audience is robbed of one of the greatest musicals ever made.

My favorite song from it is called "Guldet blev till sand" ("The Gold has Turned to Sand"), and I'm quite obsessed with it! It's haunting and beautiful both in performance (perhaps the greatest I've ever heard) and lyrics, and it's only made more so by the backstory which I am about to share.

As a challenge to myself, and to further my command of the English language, I took it upon myself to craft my own English translation of the song. I wanted to capture its meaning as exactly as could be done, and also retain the poetic rhythm and rhyme. I've used the closest words I could find to the original ones.

Now for the backstory, which you need to hear to enjoy the song as much as I do.

The character who is singing is called Robert, and he's one of the emigrants from Sweden who didn't just settle in America but ventured even further west, all the way to California in pursuit of gold. Accompanying him was Arvid, the younger brother of Kristina, a central character in the story. Arvid was younger and more naive, and looked up to Robert, who took him under his wing. Kristina was very worried when they left but Robert assured her that everything would be fine.

Years later, Robert returns home, a broken man. Arvid is nowhere to be found. Robert remains silent despite the desperate pleas from Kristina and her husband for answers. Then, one day, Kristina notices a watch in Robert's possession, one that belonged to Arvid. Confronted, Robert breaks his silence at last. His heartbreaking confession to Kristina unfolds in this unforgettable song. And do remember that watch as you listen to it...

... In the gold mines of California

But a hard life awaited Arvid and Robert

What gold they found

They exchanged for counterfeit bills

During their travels Arvid died

And after four years Robert returned

A broken man

He came with me

When I set out that spring

Like a dog at my heels

Close to me he'd cling

I was glad for his friendship

As I sought the promised land

But Kristina

The gold has turned to sand

We toiled hard

Gave up comforts we had known

Often crying, he begged

"Please take me home!"

But each time I refused him

Though unsure of my command

Oh Kristina

The gold has turned to sand

He, who stood by my side

He trusted my word

Though I even then

Saw the path that we walked

Would never lead us home again

Across the prairie

We reached the desert ground

We lost our way

And the spirits gathered round

The water keeps purling

When your head burns like a brand

Oh Kristina

The gold has turned to sand

I, who should've stood by his side

I took him over land and wave

Desert winds have laid

A blanket over his silent grave

From a rancid well

He drank the water drawn

He fell ill and left me before the dawn

As his eyes slowly faded

The watch fell from his hand

Oh, Kristina

The gold has turned to sand

Oh, Kristina

The gold has turned to sand