Funny you should mention Aquavit. Everyone should enjoy the following.

Nowegian Akevitt (aquavit) is the national beverage, a highly powered liquor made from potatoes and flavored with caraway seed. In medieval times, alchemists, in their search for gold, found a way of distilling liquor, and the product was called aqua vita, meaning “water of life”. The North American Indian saw the facts more clearly and dubbed the concoction “fire water”.

One of the finest brands is called ‘Linje Akevitt”. Tradition says that the storage of this liquor in huge oaken vats and sent across the equator enhances the flavor with the change in climate and the slow rolling of the ship during its voyage. This idea obviously was conjured up by a self proclaimed “taster” who loved the sea.

Imbiding in this past time is usually done with food and entails much “skoaling.” The bottle must be chilled enough to produce a frosty dew, and the glass be small enough to make it impossible for the shot to become lukewarm before it is consumed. On its way down the aquavit should be immediately chased by a beer.

Whenever akevitt is served at parties in Norway, one must “skoal.” Let the games begin. First find a victim, then raise your glass, look him squarely in the eye and say “skoal.” He will do likewise, and you both drink simultaneously. Finally you both lower your glass to chest level and nod your head. This completes the ceremony. Then you look for another victim. At this rate I believe you would become the victim. There is only one rule; you are not allowed to skoal your hostess.

There is much merriment surrounding the drinking of akevitt. On occasion, one must sing before he drinks, and here is the text:

Helan går!
Syng hopp fallerallala!
Helan går!
Syng hopp fallerallala!
Og den som ikke helan tar
Han heller ikke halvan får!
Helan går!

Hell-and gore
Sing hopp fahl-er-alla-lah!
Hell-and gore
Sing hopp fahl-er-alla-lah!
Aw den som ikkeh hell-and tahr,
Hahn hell-er ikkeh hahl-an fawr!
Hell-and gore!


The tune may be heard on my website.....
http://members.aol.com/Borhaug