2:53 Thats Björn and Benny from ABBA and they wrote the musical.

I am Swedish, and she is a National treasure ❤️🇸🇪

Helen is incredible. I am not a religious person myself, but this performance makes me cry every time. I agree with you, you can truly FEEL the anger, fear, desperation and pain. It's even stronger when you understand the Swedish lyrics, but I know that even when you don't this is still an extremely powerful and touching performance. The emotions conveyed reach past any language barrier, that's for sure. She's fantastic! Thanks for reacting to this :)

I played in the Gothenburg Opera orchestra plenty of the performances ”Kristina från Duvemåla” in the nineties when Helen Sjöholm was performing. I will NEVER forget her! Every single performance she was amazingly excellent ❤️I cried every performance. In 2014-2015 my then 6 year old daughter performed as 3 of the youngest children in the exact same musical. She then decided to become a musical artist and she is really studying hard to reach her goal❤

The woman in the choir in the background is also crying. That's how powerful this performance was.

This may be the most beautiful song in the world, and Helen embodies it 100%. The story is based off a novel by Swedish author Vilhelm Moberg, one of the greatest. It’s about Kristina, her husband Carl-Oskar, and their family and friends as they leave their poor life in search for prosperity in America. None of them speak the language, but they all set out to make a new life in different ways, and tragedy follows their every step. It’s a hard life, and it’s very sad, but hopeful. There’s a Swedish mini-series about it called “Utvandrarna” (the emigrants) and the second part is called “Nybyggarna” (the settlers). It’s quite incredible, actually. The musical is made by Björn and Benny from ABBA. They really nailed it. Every time I hear this song it tears me up or has me crying. It’s so powerful and believable, it translates her fears so well. Thank you for listening to one of the greatest pieces of music Sweden has ever made, and that’s saying something.

I like the Swedish language!!! Beautiful. Greetings from Holland.

As a Swede, I can happily say that I've seen Kristina från Duvemåla once in the theaters and it was INCREDIBLE. Anyway, another song by Helen Sjöholm you should check out is "Gabriellas sång." ^-^

Helen Sjöholm is one of Swedens national treasures 😅 She is indeed an incredible singer and sings with such passion. It is not just words and sounds that makes up a song or melody.

She is great! I would highly recommend watching her sing 'Gabriellas Sång' from the movie 'Så som i himmelen', where she sings for her freedom against her abusive husband. Very powerful ❤

This song is extremly good. Helen sjöholm is a gem. Kristina från duvemåla was written by benny and björn from abba. If i recall it correctly. Thanks from sweden 🙏

You were absolutely right to listen to it in Swedish. She is amazing.

She's so amazing....one of our true gems from Sweden. ABBA Björn and Benny wrote this musical

My grand fathers brother emigrated from Sweden to USA back in the start of 1900. It was hunger in Sweden and people were desperate to find a better life so many swedes emigrated to USA back then. It was a hard life to try to start over in USA. Many got a small plot of land, built a simple house and tried to have some animals and to grow some crops to survive.

I am an atheist and this is one of my favorite songs of all time. Mostly because of Helen Sjöholms masterful performance and beautiful voice. That woman behind her is so moved by her singing that she looks like she's about to break down and cry.

Helen Sjöholm is a Swedish national icon in both singing and acting and especially musicals. She was only 25 when Kristina from Duvemåla premierad and it's definitely her most iconic role. I was 8 years old when I saw it in Stockholm in 1998 and it's been my favorite musical since then and probably still is, of course with this being the biggest and most iconic song it would be a dream to sing it but no one can do it like she can. The impact of her words and how you can feel the rage and the desperation, it's remarkable. I'm crying just from watching this video and I get chills every time I hear it. I highly recommend the musical over all, it's an interesting story (though very long, it was based on four novels) and the original lead actors are very talented, three of them being some of our biggest musical performers in Sweden for decades. The musical also was the breakout role for Peter Jöback (he played Robert, the younger brother of Kristina's husband Karl-Oskar) who later has played The Phantom from Phantom Of The Opera both on Broadway and West End. (Robert's solo "The Gold Turned To Sand" is the second most iconic song from this musical)

Helen Sjöholm is the Swedens national treasure

I felt it from the second she opened her mouth. Stunned

I'm not from Sweden but from The Netherlands, but Helen is my favourite singer! She can lay so much emotion in her voice. If she has an angry role you really get frightened. She also sings a great role in the Pipi musical that came out not long ago...

I was happy to see your reaction to this performance pop up in my recommendations. Being a Swede, with Swedish as my native language, I think that adds a dimension that subtitles can't really be a substitute for. This performance is one of the best musical performances I have ever seen. I don't think I've seen anyone else surrender their whole being to a performance so flawlessly.

Love from Sweden! ❤ Language is only an obsticle. Passions is universal!

Check out Peter Jöback "Guldet blev till sand " from the same Musical OMG

I have probably heard this song a hundred times and it still gives me goose bumps and brings tears to my eyes. Go and see the musical if you haven’t seen it!

I'm a swedish agnostic, i had goosebumps through the entire song, the passion made me tear up! I like your reactions :D

She is the best vocals we have now in Sweden! And its written by Björn and Benny frim ABBA! GENIUSE!❤❤❤

I had the honor of having her mother as my teacher from first grade until fourth. Her name was Marie and she was amazing!

I met her backstage last weekend on a visit to Sweden (performing in Anglagard in Stockholm). What a humble and lovely, kind and supremely talented lady!

The best christian song an atheist ever written! Hello from Sweden!

From Sweden we lost 1 million people between 1850-1930s and the second biggest city with swedes was Chicago.. aftet Stockholm, and third Gothenburg.. We lost so many families theres, to something new and hopeful future, not everyone made it... And Helene shows this all perfectly in her song like this.. (From the ABBA- BJornand Benny)

My grandfather chose this song for his funeral. This will always have a special place in my heart and every since I first heard Helen Sjöholm as a child I've been soothed by her voice. So much emotions ❤️

I watched the musical live several years ago and man, Helen have it all in that performance, she got a standing ovation after that final note, she held it for several seconds. She is one of Sweden's most talented musical artists. You should react to Peter Jöback-Guldet blev till sand (the gold turned into sand) which is also from the same musical and Anders Ekborg-Vildgräs (Wild grass), both of them are with english subtitles. If you want more Helen, I would recommend Gabriella's Song from Såsom i himmelen (As it is in heaven), that is extremely powerful and never fails to bring tears to my eyes.

And now the other, equally loved song from the same play. "Guldet Blev Till Sand" by Peter Jöback. He is also a fantastic singer! Greetings from Sweden ^_^

Some of you guys may have recognised the guy i the beginning of this performance and later in the audience. Those two is actually the persons behind the musical wich this originates from, Kristina från Duvemåla. They are two of the members in ABBA. Björn Ulveus wrote the lyrics and Benny Andersson the music.

one of the best songs i've heard in five years. her face when she is not yet done to tear god into pieces. glorious!

The story of Kristina and her husband Karl-Oscar and their group of friends and relatives is absolutely heartbreaking. Kristina never wanted to leave Sweden, but had no choice. Their first daughter died as a complication of the famine, and they never got over it, and they left for America to save their other children. Then she lost her baby in miscarriage later on in America, and was told she could never share a bed with her husband again. But Kristina can’t stand being away from her love, gets pregnant again, and dies as the end of the musical. The musical was based on the books of Wilhelm Moberg, who was inspired by letters and news from the times of the Swedish emigrants. I’ve read the first book twice and I cried my eyes out both times.

its a song about the first people coming to america and enduring the harshship of what that intails, over 1 milion people left sweden for america during that old era.

Every swede should read at least the first two books in the series of four books, The emigrants and The immigrants by Wilhelm Moberg. If one reads them one gains a whole new understanding for our immigrants today. These are some of the best books written in Sweden, it's about our own catastrophe. It's about the time when tens of thousands of swedes emigrated to america due to extrem poverty, social injustices and starvation. Today it's hard to understand how different Sweden was until the end of WWII. Today Sweden is one of the richest countries in the world, back then Sweden was a poor country.

This is coming from a performer, Helen Sjöholm is THE BEST musical singer Sweden has ever had. She is insane. She is also the sweetest fricking human being alive. I loved this reaction. I could watch people react to her singing all day long. Listen to her sing "Gabriellas sång" from the Swedish movie "Såsom i Himmelen" (As it is in heaven). I'm also a translator and the translation of the song wasn't very good but you got the picture at least.. Thanks for uploading. Also, the lady behind her i the choir is SHOOK! Haha!

I discovered this song only a few months ago. Every time I play it, the tears come. Her empathy is awesome. I am a Swedish speaker so maybe that plays a role. It's never the same when a Swedish singer sings in English.

Thank you for your reaction to Helen Sjöholm and to ”Du måste finnas”❤️ Yes, her voice is one of them in Sweden we absolutely love. 😊 One other famous song she sings is from a Swedish movie 2004. The movie with name ”Såsom i himmelen” (As it is in heaven) were also nominated one Oscar and also become rewritten to a Swedish musical. The movie were the most seen movie during 2004 in Sweden and ”Gabriellas song” laid on the ”swedish- top list” as the number one for 68 weeks during 2004- 2006. The song is: ”Gabriellas song - English Subtitels.wmv”

I have met Helen. (Proud) I sold lottery in Högbo, Sweden at a Jazz festival where she performed, and she bought some. A very nice polite person, with a voice that fit very different styles of music.

The musical is based on Villhelm Moberg's books...the years during 1860's over 3 million people emigrated to the USA.. it was due to hunger and with religious fate

Helen Sjöholm is one of Sweden's greatest singers, together with Jussi Björling and Tommy Körberg. We have many great ones but none stand the test of time like these three. Also, half of ABBA was in the audience here because they wrote the musical. 2:49

Helen was the lead actress/singer in the musical Kristina from Duvemåla were she sang this. The musical was about swedish immigrants in the 19th century in America and their hard life in this foreign country. It was written by Björn and Benny of ABBA. We saw them in the audience.

I basically never get chills listening to music, but this song gives me full body chills, every single time.

Helen is one of the greats here in Sweden and we love her! I get tears in my eyes every time. Also, the musical is written by Björn and Benny from a little unknown band called Abba.... so... yeah... :)

Thanks to the requester and thanks to Highly for letting me know about Helen! This was amazing and gave me chills. I will definitely seek out more of her work. That was really special.

Yes this a great performance and a very beautiful, sad song❤ One of my absolut favourits. The solists from the musical ”Kristina från Duvemåla” travelled to Minnesota in the mid 90’s and performed this concert-version of the musical to descendents of people that migrated from Sweden to the US during the 1800’s and early 1900’s. So the video is from that performance.

Her performance is out of this world! 👍🫶👊

Cant stop looking at the lady in the background, so mesmerized

Helen was brought up with the heritage of Swedish Folkmusic and Folklore, just like I also was.. Her Mother sang in the same choir as my old parents did for many many decades !! Helens control and voice is something else :D // I believe Björn and Benny from ABBA wrote this song especially for her to sing. it`s based of a Great Drama written by the author Wilhelm Moberg, telling us about the hardships so many emigrants experienced when leaving Sweden for America during some horrible famine years.. like 1/3 of the Swedish population did between 1850-1920 ..

This is from the musical "Kristina från Duvemåla". Its very well known in Sweden and around. About Kristina and Karl Oskar who emigrated with their friends and family and the many hardships and joys they experienced. Based on the many swedes who did emigrated in that point in time when life was hard and they dreamed of a better life. Helen Sjöholm is one of our national treasures. She was born for this and does it so well. I grew up listening to her in various performances ❤️

Good lord, I didn't hear this version before.. I'm tearyeyed! Imagine if you were in the room, in the audience? I'd be bawling.

In my opinion Björn snd Benny outdid themselves with this opera/musical. Björn is an agnostic-leaning atheist, by his own admission. I love this lyric. It's a woman in turmoil, after everything she'd been through. Helen Sjöholm is amazing and works with Benny's folk band to this day. She's an accomplished actress and singer! A national treasure! (I think. Im a Swiss person who regualrly visists Sweden). You can see Benny and Björn in the video. Meeting Benny was one of the highlights of my life .❤

I have heard this song by Helen Sjöholm so many times, and it still gets me in the heart every time.

A beautiful song. Sad and strong at the same time. She is a true singer and she means every Word.

Seriously this HAS to be one of the best songs and singers out there. I am a swede myself and I've never been struck by anything the way I am everytime I hear this one. Her voice, the song, the lyrics.. It's all so beautiful I get goose bumps all over my body throughout the entire thing... It's amazing.

She is definetly one of the best female singers we have in sweden in that genre. Tommy körberg is another absolutly amazing singer, they have been working together a lot over the years. Check out Tommy singing Anthem from the musikal called chess.

I LOVE your reaction to this! And she does this in every performance! She is amazing and is now a Swedish national treasure. 2:48 That is Björn and Benny from ABBA, who wrote the musical this song is from. Helen Sjöholm became a star over night when she did this musical.

The woman in the choir behind Helen is really, really, feling it.

Your amazed facial expression is just like every swedish person ever hearing this for the first time.

There is an english version of this song too, sung by Helen Sjöholm aswell. One of the most iconic songs ever, and I am not even religious.

This is such a masterpiece. Ever since i was a child this has been my favourite song, she's unbelievably gifted

I'm so proud to be a Swede. Happy that you also listened to suggestions from my fellow country men to also comment om Gabriella's song. Fun fact: the side shot of the two gentlemen are the writers Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson from ABBA.

Beautiful performance, I can feel her pain, having lost 3 babies myself. And you are right. Everyone questions their creator at times. I did that yesterday when she called me to tell me I got it all wrong 😅 my creator can be brutal at times. I love watching your reactions. Especially when you do a Dutch one, my country. You would love Judeska and FC Kip. You can make me smile sometimes when all I want is to cry. When I can't leave my bed because the pain is too much. So thank you for that ❤

This is from a musical called Kristina from Duvemåla. The music is made by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus (from Abba). Few singers can express all the things Helen can while singing, she's extraordinary! The musical is based on Vilhelm Mobergs four books about swedish families emigrate to America in the 1850s - The Emigrants, Unto a good land:Emigrants book 2, The Settlers and The last letter home. A Swedish book classic. Love the music from the musical. Peter Jöback had his breakthrough in this musical (love him❤)now he has done roles on Broadway to 🥰

What a wonderful reaction! Please also check out Helene Sjöholm singing Gabriellas sång.

I love this, If I remember it correctly, this was from a rare performance in Minneapolis with, among others, Helen Sjöholm. The choir is from the city

It´s Helen Sjöholm, she is a World Artist. When Björn and Benny the two Bs in ABBA let you sing, than you know you can sing.

I've listened to this song so many times and seen her perform it live, but it still gives me goosebumps. Helen is a rare talent indeed.

I am a staunch non-believer but this performance is simply gut wrenching

Hi From Sweden!🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪 This Song is from the Swedish musical "Kristina from Duvemåla" .( Written by the two men from the Old Swedish pop group ABBA, who also are the writers of Chess and the music in "Mama Mia".) .. "Kristna från Duvemåla" is a fictive story about Swedish Emigrants comming to America in the 19 th century and their struggles both in Sweden and America, when Sweden suffered a lot of crop failures and because of that put many into powerty and their only way out of that was to leave for somthing they believed could give them a better life..... Back then when America was "land of all dreams and all Things possible", but mostly it is about their struggle trying to fit into a new unknown world far far from home and all that was safe and known from home.... This song translated to English and what it really explains is "You have to exist/ be real" ... A song about the belief that God has to be real and also about her doubts about Gods existens... Translated into english lyrics: You have to exist / You drove me away, God From my homeland I was torn away Here I am a refugee and a stranger And I find myself in that fate But you took my child And you take me from my husband I can no longer see a sentence What is it that you want? What should I believe... The thought is staggering In front of me gapes an abyss My whole being rebels and wants to say no The question has been raised And now my soul trembles before the answer That you don't exist Although I believed in you Who would help me endure life out here? Who would give me the power that I must have? Who would comfort me, I am so small on earth? If you didn't exist Well, what did I do then? No, you must exist, you must I live my life through you Without you, I am a speck on a dark and stormy sea You must exist, you must How then can you abandon me? I would be nowhere I would be nothing if you didn't exist Never before have I had it in speech or thought The little word that frightens and torments me so The word is "if", if I prayed all my prayers in vain If you don't exist What should I do then? Who would feel my remorse and then forgive? Peace of mind, yes, who would give it to me? So who would finally receive me after death? If you didn't exist Who took care of me then? No, you must exist, you must I live my life through you Without you, I am a speck on a dark and stormy sea You must exist, you must How then can you abandon me? I would be nowhere I would be nothing if you didn't exist You must exist, you must How then can you abandon me? I would be nowhere I would be nothing if you didn't exist..

I'm Swedish and this might sound insane but I never picked up on the fact that she's talking to God. I thought it was her husband all along. I've even sung it! It's an incredible performance from an incredible artist though.

Helen Sjoholm plays the part of Gabriella in 'As it is in Heaven' (Så som i Himmelen), one of my favourite films, now available to see for free in its entirety on KZfaq. Do give it a watch. She has a great song in there.

She has also sung this song in English: "Helen Sjöholm and Swedish Radio symphony orchestra - You have to be there - FULL SONG" (it has a pretty long intro, for a reaction, I suggest starting at 1:15) I prefer the one in Swedish though, but that might be just my bias. The English on feels more like a beautiful and great performace, while the one in Swedish feels like a genuine cry from the depts of her soul. Both are excellent and emotional though.

You are a good lad my friend! From Sweden 😊

I'm very pleased to see so much love shown for this song and Helene's rendition of it. This exact performance is my absolute favourite, and it makes me happy to see a non-Swede watch it with the subtitles as it makes it so much better to know what she sings. Something fun you should do next time you watch it is to have a peek at the lady from I think the choir just behind Helene. She is FEELING it

You should watch Helen Sjöholm with the song " Hemma / home" from the same musical about a Swedish family emigrated from Sweden to USA year 1800. So many beautiful songs and Helen Sjöholm is one of many very famous singers from Sweden.

Helen Sjöholm is one of the biggest singers we’ve ever had in Sweden

I also love the song “Du är min man” ” You are My man” with Helen Sjöholm ❤ I play that one for my mom and then singing “You are my mom” ❤❤❤

This always bring tears to my eyes... amazing performance by Helen

Proud Swede 😊😊😊

Björn and Benny from Abba wrote this musical, must be mentioned! And about the chills, I still get them, not religious at all but this is so powerful!

The character is from the mid-1800's and really does believe in the Christian god, and this is her chrisis of faith. Helen Sjöholm is a Swedish national treasure btw and has sung a few other very famous songs, like Gabriellas sång.

Im glad you have this on your channel and like and feel it as so many others do when they hear this song. As a Swede this make me proud and greatful for how good swedish songwriters and musicalactors we have in this country. This song is one of my favorits and I thank Björn and Ulf for a wounderfull writting and komposition of this musical.

This is a song I listen to repeatedly in periods. I love it, and always gets emotional every time. Helen´s voice is so beautiful and powerful. I went to a concert with her one time with my late grandmother, and hearing this song now for the first time again after her passing hit a little extra in the feels.

The bearded guys are the writers to the musical(from ABBA). I was the many years ago at the "new" premiere in Gothenburg. Just one word, breathtaking

This is absolutely magic!

helen sjöholm is best classicl singers in sweden

Had the honour to see and listen to her in the musical in Malmö, Sweden. Had the chills from start to the very end!

This is just amazing. I'm a Swede and I can't listen without tearing up every time :)

Wonderful!!!!!!!..reaction. Ty. Hugs from Sweden.

The becoming of an adult... Wonderful reaction, thank you. I´m a Swede. Never once I have been able to listen to this performance without crying. And I´ve listened to it maaaany times. I cried this time too! 😆

Björn and Benny and Helen Sjöholm = magic! I can recommend some other songs with Helen Sjöholm with BAO (Benny Anderssons orkester) Du är min man, En natt i köpenhamn or a another great song from a movie "Gabriellas sång"

So great that people are still discovering this!

2:53 Thats Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus from ABBA! 🙂. They wrote the music for this musical, "Kristina from Duvemåla".

I was on the first set-up in Sweden/Stockholm - that show was a memory for life....

02:55 - That's Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, the male part of ABBA.

that women how singing that song is amasing. she is from sweden and the writer to this song is one member from abba that you can see in this video.

She is an excellent actress with an incredible voice. I saw the premier and it is still with me.