Kungssången

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"King's song" redirects here. For the Dutch coronation anthem, see Koningslied.
Kungssången
English: The Royal Anthem of Sweden

The original music for male chorus by Otto Lindblad.
anthem of
The Swedish Monarch
Lyrics Otto Lindblad
Music Carl Vilhelm August Strandberg
Adopted 1844
Relinquished Present

Kungssången[1] (English: The King's song) is the Swedish royal anthem. It is also known by its first line, Ur svenska hjärtans djup en gång (English: Once from the depths of Swedish hearts). Although sung on such occasions as the King's birthday, the annual opening of the Riksdag and the Nobel Prize ceremony, this song is not in fact the Swedish national anthem: that is Du gamla, Du fria.

The lyrics were written by Carl Vilhelm August Strandberg and the music composed for four part male chorus by Otto Lindblad. Kungssången replaced the previous royal anthem, Bevare Gud vår kung, which was sung to the melody of the British royal anthem, God Save the King. It was first performed in Lund on 5 December 1844 at a party arranged by the University to celebrate the accession of King Oscar I, and was officially adopted in 1893.

Only the first and fifth stanzas are normally sung (and only the first if the King is present). The other three are very rarely ever heard.

Lyrics (unofficial English translation)

1. Ur svenska hjärtans djup en gång
en samfälld och en enkel sång,
som går till kungen fram!
Var honom trofast och hans ätt,
gör kronan på hans hjässa lätt,
och all din tro till honom sätt,
du folk av frejdad stam!
2. O konung, folkets majestät
är även ditt: beskärma det
och värna det från fall!
Stå oss all världens härar mot,
vi blinka ej för deras hot:
vi lägga dem inför din fot -
en kunglig fotapall.
3. Men stundar ock vårt fall en dag,
från dina skuldror purpurn tag,
lyft av dig kronans tvång
och drag de kära färger på,
det gamla gula och det blå,
och med ett svärd i handen gå
till kamp och undergång!
4. Och grip vår sista fana du
och dristeliga för ännu
i döden dina män!
Ditt trogna folk med hjältemod
skall sömma av sitt bästa blod
en kunglig purpur varm och god,
och svepa dig i den.
5. Du himlens Herre, med oss var,
som förr du med oss varit har,
och liva på vår strand
det gamla lynnets art igen
hos sveakungen och hans män.
Och låt din ande vila än
utöver nordanland!
1. Once from the depths of Swedish hearts,
a joint and a simple song,
which reaches forth to the King!
Be faithful to Him and his House,
make the Crown light upon his Head,
and all your faith in Him invest,
thou, people of high renown.
2. Oh King, Majesty of the people
It is also thine - embrace it
And protect it from fall.
If all the armies of the world against us stand,
We do not fear their threat
We place them before your foot
As a royal footstool
3. But, if one day our fall is near
From your shoulders let the mantle fall
Remove the burden of the crown
And put on the beloved colours
The old yellow and the blue,
lift the sword by the hilt and go
Towards war and doom
4. Raise our last banner in your hand
And lead your men yet
To the end and into death
Your faithful people of heroes stock,
Of their best blood, they shall sew
A royal robe, warm and pure
And shroud you in it
5. Thou Lord of Heaven, stay with us
Just like you did in the olden days
And live on our shores
the old life and spirit
Of the Svea king and his men
And let your spirit rest
Above the Northern Land

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Kungssången" (in Swedish). Retrieved 8 January 2012. 

External links

Sweden Swedish patriotic songs
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