Lejonet från Norden [The Lion from the North] [English translation]

A time governed by darkness and war

A legend describes a lion1

That beast takes the form of a man

With a dream that it will come true

For all who stand in his way

Death await, because he gives no mercy

With a mighty army from the North

In battle, this time, to war

The legend has foretold - yellow and blue2

He does not fear sword or shot

Lion go forth, in gunpowder and dust

In gunpowder and dust

Gustavus Adolphus!

Liberate and reign!

(Gustavus Adolphus go forth! Liberate, reign)

Fierce and mighty!

(Fierce and mighty go forth! Liberate, reign)

Honours through difficulties3

When the storm has reached Europe

Evil, sudden death, devastating bloodbath

Then take the power from the emperor's hand

The Catholics leave their land

The future of warfare is here

Light the road, their sons shall walk

As the lion leads an army

In battle, this time, to war

The legend it told, the eagle's1 death

It is scalded in hell's glow

King come forth, beast or man

Beast or man

On a battlefield baptized in blood

They will meet - evil and good

Eagle and lion, claw against tooth

Set the world into fire

Oh, how the world burned

Oh, see how a legend comes true

(Spelling mistakes in the Swedish original:

- spådd > spått

- deres sönar > deras söner

1. a. b. Obviously, the lion from the North=Gustavus Adolphus/Gustav II Adolf (Swedish) and the eagle=Emperor Ferdinand III of the Holy Roman Empire. Good versus evil, Protestants versus Catholics.2. "Yellow and blue" refers to the colours of the Swedish flag. It was used already back then.3. The chorus (Gustavus Adolphus! / Libera et impera...") is in Latin in the original except for some words in the parantheses. Note the difference.