Du gamla, Du fria

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"Du gamla, Du fria" ("Thou ancient, Thou free") is the de facto national anthem of Sweden. Although the Swedish constitution makes no mention of a national anthem, "Du gamla, Du fria" enjoys universal recognition and is used at, for example, sporting events. Only the first two verses are normally sung. In international sporting events, often only the first verse is played.

The lyrics, which originally begun with the words "Du gamla, Du friska" (prevailing), were written by Richard Dybeck in 1844 to a traditional melody from Västmanland. The song began to be used as a national anthem in the 1890s. Official acceptance as national anthem in 1866 is a well-spread factoid, and a Riksdag committee turned down a proposal to give the song official status in 2000 with the motivation that it did not need one.

Audio Sample

[http://www.aelgviskare.net/midi/sweden.mid] ("Du gamla, Du fria")

Lyrics

Original verses by Richard Dybeck: 1 Du gamla, Du fria, Du fjällhöga nord Du tysta, Du glädjerika sköna! Jag hälsar Dig, vänaste land uppå jord, /:Din sol, Din himmel, Dina ängder gröna.:/ 2 Du tronar på minnen från fornstora dar, då ärat Ditt namn flög över jorden. Jag vet att Du är och Du blir vad du var. /: Ja, jag vill leva jag vill dö i Norden.:/

Louise Ahlens addition from 1910 (usually not seen as part of the national anthem, and not sung) 3 Jag städs vill dig tjäna mitt älskade land, din trohet till döden vill jag svära. Din rätt, skall jag värna, med håg och med hand, /:din fana, högt den bragderika bära.:/ 4 Med Gud skall jag kämpa, för hem och för härd, för Sverige, den kära fosterjorden. Jag byter Dig ej, mot allt i en värld /: Nej, jag vill leva jag vill dö i Norden.:/

Literal Translation

Original verses by Richard Dybeck: 1 You ancient, you free, you mountainous North You quiet, you joyful beauty! I greet You, most beautiful land upon earth, /:Your sun, Your sky, Your meadows green.:/ 2 You throne upon memories of great olden days, When honoured Your name flew over the world, I know that You are and will be as you were, /: Yes, I want to live I want to die in the North :/

Louise Ahlens addition from 1910 (usually not seen as part of the national anthem, and not sung) 3 I forever will serve my beloved country, your faith till death will I swear, Your right will I protect with mind and with hand, /:your banner, great the feats it carries.:/ 4 With God shall I struggle, for home and for hearth, for Sweden, the dear fatherland. I trade You not, against everything in the world /: No, I want to live I want to die in the North.:/

See also

• Flag of Sweden
• National holiday of Sweden
• Holidays in Sweden
• Vårt land (Maamme) - Finland's national anthem, originally with Swedish lyrics
• Ålänningens sång - the official anthem of Åland

External links

• () [Riksdag committee turning down the proposal to make the anthem official]

	Swedish patriotic songs
Du gamla, Du fria | Gustafs skål | Kungssången

 

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