Íþrottaàlfurinn Transformation Process

[LAJMS123]

Hi. I'm on a quest to transform Íþrottaálfurinn the song. Here are the details:

1. It has to be in English
2. It has to fit the music just like the Icelandic version
3. The lyrics have to be a rough translation of the Icelandic version.
4. It must have two verses and two choruses.
5. Each verse must follow a unique rhyming pattern

I would really appreciate if anyone could help me with this. Comment here and I'll send you a PM and we can get started.
Here are the lyrics in Icelandic, if you need to translate, or for inspiration:

Sérðu álfa - sitja'og gera 'ekki neitt
súra á svipinn - og þykja lífið svo leitt?
Nei, alltaf þar sem er álfamergð
eru'einhver ósköp gangandi á.
Við erum alltaf á fullri ferð,
vid erum bara þannig gerð
Og ég er íþróttaálfurinn,
álfanna fyrirmynd sjálf.
Já, ég er íþróttaálfurinn,
þú finnur el fimari álf.
Ekki syrgja - og setja hendur í skaut
ég sýna skal þér - og fólkinu glænýja braut.
Letibikkjur og bjálfana
í lata bænum ég þjálfa í lag.
Kreppið á ykkur kálfana,
því það er ég sem þjálfa álfana
Já, ég er íþróttaálfurinn,
alltaf sprækur og hress.
Já, ég er íþróttaálfurinn,
þekki´ekki streitu né stress.
Já, ég er íþróttaálfurinn,
íþróttir eru mitt fag.
Já, ég er íþróttaálfurinn,
öllu ég kippi í lag

Thanks so much,
LAJMS123

[StingX]

Re: Íþrottaàlfurinn Transformation Process

That's a good idea. Part of this project is already done, as some of the song has already been translated during the translation process of Áfram Latibær. Of course, it's not the whole song, and it has not been changed to rhyme or match the meter of the Icelandic original, but it's something. It's been my intention to at some point go back and revisit songs that were shortened in the plays and get them fully translated, and this is one of those cases.

I have a few questions for you: where did you get these lyrics, especially the verse that isn't shown in the play, and also, what gave you inspiration to do this?

[LAJMS123]

Re: Íþrottaàlfurinn Transformation Process

Hi. Thank you for your reply. I got the lyrics off of GetLazy wiki because the version of the song that was released on CD included the extra verse. So, some kind, Icelander, translated, here is the page: http://www.getlazy.net/wiki/index.ph...lfurinn_(song)

Also, I got inspiration as I am writing, producing, and directing, a play which is nothing to do with LazyTown, but, I, liked the songs, so, I wrote to Magnús asking for permission to use the music and change the lyrics slightly. He hasn't got back to me yet. I liked this song in particular, so was hoping to translate it into English.

Hope all of that makes sense.

[StingX]

Re: Íþrottaàlfurinn Transformation Process

Hi. Thank you for your reply. I got the lyrics off of GetLazy wiki because the version of the song that was released on CD included the extra verse. So, some kind, Icelander, translated, here is the page: http://www.getlazy.net/wiki/index.ph...lfurinn_(song)

I understand. The reason that I ask is because several years ago, I paid an Icelander to write down the lyrics to all of the Icelandic songs that were out at the time. After working with other Icelanders with translation/transcription projects, I discovered that the initial transcription was a little botched. I guess the guy was lazy with it or something, because there have been many instances of his transcription being incorrect for no real reason. I'm not sure if the lyrics on the Wiki are those same ones, but they might be. Later when I get home, I'll have to review the original files that I have from the guy to see if I can find out if they are the same, and if there are any errors. That's the long way of saying to be hesitant with taking those lyrics as absolute.

I wrote to Magnús asking for permission to use the music and change the lyrics slightly. He hasn't got back to me yet.

Don't hold your breath on that one :p

[LAJMS123]

Íþrottaàlfurinn Transformation Process

Thanks. If you find them, would you please send them to me? Also, I tried sending a letter to Turner a couple of weeks ago, asking for permission after I sent one to the studio in December . Forever hopeful!

[StingX]

Re: Íþrottaàlfurinn Transformation Process

Thanks. If you find them, would you please send them to me? Also, I tried sending a letter to Turner a couple of weeks ago, asking for permission after I sent one to the studio in December . Forever hopeful!

Nobody from LazyTown is at the studio anymore and Turner doesn't give a ****, so I think you're just talking into the abyss. Permission-schmermission; just do whatever.

[LAJMS123]

Yeh, youre exactly right. If no one responds, I'll do it anyway.

[StingX]

Re: Íþrottaàlfurinn Transformation Process

A few weeks ago, a commenter on the Áfram Latibær translation video took the time to make a correctly metered translation of the part of the song in the play. Again, it's not what you're looking for, but it's closer.

Icelandic Original	Translated Metered
Sérðu álfa	Do you see elves
Sitja'og gera 'ekki neitt	Sitting, doing nothing
Súra á svipinn	Looking bitter
Og þykja lífið svo leitt	And feeling bad for themselves
Nei, alltaf þar sem er álfamergð	Wherever there is a group of elves
Eru'einhver ósköp gangandi á	There's too much energy to keep still
Við erum alltaf á fullri ferð	We always move around at full speed
Vid erum bara þannig gerð	It's just the way we've always been
Og ég er íþróttaálfurinn	I'll tell you, my name is Sportacus
Álfanna fyrirmynd sjálf	A good example for all
Já, ég er íþróttaálfurinn	I'll tell you my name is Sportacus
Þú finnur el fimari álf	You won't find a more agile elf

[LAJMS123]

Íþrottaàlfurinn Transformation Process

It's a good start. We can work off of that to begin with!

[LAJMS123]

Íþrottaàlfurinn Transformation Process

Was it an Icelander that translated that for us?

[StingX]

Re: Íþrottaàlfurinn Transformation Process

Was it an Icelander that translated that for us?

Well, yes, kind of. An native Icelander did the initial translation, then he and I did the interpretation to what you see in the video, but then the commenter re-interpreted it again to come up with what I posted above, so it's another degree of separation from the original translation, but it still fits your requirement of "rough translation."

[LAJMS123]

Íþrottaàlfurinn Transformation Process

Right. Well, like I said, it's a good place to work from. Thanks Stingy, I appreciate it