Kungssången Totally Explained

Everything about Swedish Royal Hymn totally explained

Kungssången ("The king's song") is the Swedish royal anthem. It is also known by its first line, Ur svenska hjärtans djup en gång ("Once from the depths of Swedish hearts"). Though sung on such occasions as the state opening of the Riksdag (parliament) and Nobel Prize ceremony, this song isn't in fact the Swedish national anthem, which 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 ("God preserve our king") 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 (only the first if the King is present). The other three are very rarely heard.

Lyrics

ť 1. Ur svenska hjärtans djup en gång

   en samfälld och en enkel sång, ť som går till kungen fram!

   Var honom trofast och hans ätt, ť gör kronan på hans hjässa lätt,

   och all din tro till honom sätt, ť du folk av frejdad stam!

ť 2. O konung, folkets majestät

   är även ditt: beskärma det ť och värna det från fall!

   Stå oss all världens härar mot, ť vi blinka ej för deras hot:

   vi lägga dem inför din fot - ť en kunglig fotapall.

ť 3. Men stundar ock vårt fall en dag,

   från dina skuldror purpurn tag, ť lyft av dig kronans tvång

   och drag de kära färger på, ť det gamla gula och det blå,

   och med ett svärd i handen gå ť till kamp och undergång!

ť 4. Och grip vår sista fana du

   och dristeliga för ännu ť i döden dina män!

   Ditt trogna folk med hjältemod ť skall sömma av sitt bästa blod

   en kunglig purpur varm och god, ť och svepa dig i den.

ť 5. Du himlens Herre, med oss var,

   som förr du med oss varit har, ť och liva på vår strand

   det gamla lynnets art igen ť hos sveakungen och hans män.

   Och låt din ande vila än ť utöver nordanland!

Translation (Highly unofficial)

ť 1. From the depth of Swedish hearts,

   a joint and simple song, ť which to the King reaches forth!

   Be faithful to him and his line, ť the crown upon his head, make light,

   and all your faith in him invest, ť you folk of high renown.

ť 2. Oh King, the majesty of this people

   Is also yours - embrace it ť And protect it from decline.

   Stands all the armies of the world against us, ť We fear not their threat

   We place them before your foot ť As a royal footstool

ť 3. If one day our fall is near

   From your shoulders let the mantle fall ť Remove the burden of the crown

   And put on the beloved colours ť The old yellow and the blue,

   life the sword by the hilt and go ť Towards war and doom

ť 4. Raise our last banner in your hand

   And lead your men yet ť To the end and into death

   Your faithful people of heroes stock, ť Of their best blood, they'll sew

   A royal robe, warm and pure ť And shroud you in it

ť 5. You Lord of heaven, stay with us

   Just like you did in the olden days ť And live on our shores

   the old life and spirit ť Of the Svea king and his men

   And let your spirit rest ť Above the Northern Land

Further Information

Get more info on 'Swedish Royal Hymn'.

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