Performed by: Elisabeth Andreassen
Music and lyrics by: Torhild Nigar
Conductor: Frode Thingnæs
Language: Norwegian
Placing: 2nd (114 points)
Other versions: English, German, Swedish

If you want to read the original Norwegian lyrics please click the SUBTITLES button. And if you wish to understand them, select the language of your choice in the settings.

"I evighet" (For eternity) was the Norwegian entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1996, performed in Norwegian by Elisabeth Andreassen. The song reached number 13 on the chart in Norway.[1] In Israel it peaked on number 1.[2]

The song is a ballad, with Andreassen singing about the eternal nature of love. She sings that this is a constant in the world, even outlasting the days and years which move forwards.

The song was performed twelfth on the night, following Estonia's Maarja-Liis Ilus and Ivo Linna with "Kaelakee hääl" and preceding France's Dan Ar Braz & L'Héritage des Celtes with "Diwanit Bugale". At the close of voting, it had received 114 points, placing 2nd in a field of 23.

"I Evighet" was translated into Swedish, with the lyrics being co-written by Thorhild Nigar, Elisabeth Andreassen and Åsa Jinder and the title remaining the same. An English-language release (titled "Eternity") was also made.

In 1998, the song was re-written in German as "Wir sind dabei", as part of the hundredth anniversary celebrations for the German sporting federation. The re-titled "Wir sind dabei" was adopted as the official song of this celebration, held in Munich, with Andreassen performing it frequently and in a number of different language versions. This version is unique among the translations as it focuses on the positive aspects of sport, rather than the original theme of the eternity of love.

It was succeeded as Norwegian representative at the 1997 contest by Tor Endresen with "San Francisco".

Elisabeth Andreassen's talent was discovered in 1979 by Swedish musician and TV host Lasse Holm. She was produced by Bert Karlsson's label Mariann Grammofon AB. In 1980, she joined Lasse's group Chips. Chips participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 1982 with the song "Dag efter dag" ("Day After Day"), and reached 8th place.

Andreassen is active in many musical genres such as country, schlager, and musicals. She is mostly famous from Eurovision Song Contest 1985 when she and Hanne Krogh participated as Bobbysocks with the song "La det swinge", and won.

Andreassen has sung in various genres such as country, pop, rock and in musicals. She plays three instruments; guitar, piano and contrabass. She has also been a revue and musical artist.

"Bettan" has a record as the woman with the most participations in the Eurovision Song Contest, tied with Lys Assia, Sue of Peter, Sue & Marc, and Valentina Monetta. She has participated four times, three times in duets (with Kikki Danielsson in 1982, Hanne Krogh in 1985, and Jan Werner Danielsen in 1994) and once on her own (in 1996).


Lyrics:

I evighet

Dagen går mot kveld, er borte, blir snart glemt
Men alt vi gav den står igjen, et frø som gror og vokser frem

Slik er kjærlighetens vei når den møter deg og meg
Først når vi lærer og forstår, vil den modnes og bli vår

Selv om dagene går, de svinner hen og blir til år
Alltid vil kjærlighet bestå i tid og evighet
I evighet

Elven renner stille hen over sletter, skog og eng
Men på sin vei for å nå frem, gikk den over stryk og stein

Selv om dagene går, de svinner hen og blir til år
Alltid vil kjærlighet bestå i tid og evighet
I evighet

Selv om dagene går, de svinner hen og blir til år
Alltid vil kjærlighet bestå i tid og evighet
I evighet

Alltid vil kjærlighet bestå i tid og evighet
I evighet


English:

For eternity

Day is turning to evening, is gone, soon forgotten
But what we gave remains, a seed will grow and sprout

Such is love's way when it strikes you and me
Only when we learn and understand, it will ripen and be ours

Though the days pass by, vanishing, becoming years
Love will always remain, for ever and eternity
For eternity

The river smoothly flows, through meadows, plains and woods
But on its way to reach its goal, it passes stony rapids

Though the days pass by, vanishing, becoming years
Love will always remain, for ever and eternity
For eternity

Though the days pass by, vanishing, becoming years
Love will always remain, for ever and eternity
For eternity

Love will always remain, for ever and eternity
For eternity

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