In the winter of 1985, Icelandic musicians came together for a cause that would resonate far beyond their island’s shores. “Hjálpum þeim,” meaning “Let’s Help Them,” was written and recorded as a collective effort to raise funds against poverty in Africa, capturing the national spirit during a time of global need.
A national response inspired from abroad
The inspiration for “Hjálpum þeim” arose from the major charity single movement sweeping the United Kingdom, where the Band Aid project’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” had addressed famine in Ethiopia. Taking cues from this initiative, Iceland’s leading musical talents assembled to record a song of their own, with all proceeds directed to African humanitarian relief.
The project included some sixty of the country’s most prominent singers, composers, and instrumentalists of the era, united as Íslenska hjálparsveitin (the Icelandic relief group). The song was composed by Axel Einarsson, with lyrics by Jóhann G. Jóhannsson and additional production by Gunnar Þórðarson and Eyþór Gunnarsson. Among the many voices were well-known artists such as Björgvin Halldórsson, Helga Möller, Bubbi Morthens, Helgi Björnsson, and Kristján Jóhannsson.
From vinyl to new generations
Released on 10 December 1985, “Hjálpum þeim” became a seasonal anthem in Iceland, reaching the top of the national charts in January 1986. Sales were managed by the Church’s national fundraising campaign, bringing in 4.5 million krónur from 17,000 copies sold. The full campaign that Christmas gathered a total of 12 million krónur for aid in Africa.
Over the years, the legacy continued with periodic rerecordings as crises emerged around the world. In 2005, a new version marked its twentieth anniversary, enlisting then-current stars like Páll Óskar and Birgitta Haukdal, again for charitable causes through the Church Aid agency. A live performance at the Jól Jólsson music festival in 2009 brought the song to another audience, this time benefiting the same charity partners.
In 2011, “Hjálpum þeim” was translated and rerecorded as “Help Them” for wider international reach. Distributed globally by Act Alliance, an umbrella for church-related aid organisations, this English version featured singers including Friðrik Ómar and Selma Björnsdóttir. A double album released at that time collected all previous versions, with a DVD of music videos and performances.
The tradition did not end there. In 2020, a revised version titled “Hjálpum mér” (Help Me) was created with contemporary artists, supporting Iceland’s children’s hospital during the holidays. Even after decades, the central idea remains: Icelandic musicians still gather their voices when help is needed, at home or across the world.
Sources
- Wikipedia
- Wikipedia (Icelandic) in Icelandic
