Carolus Rex [Swedish version] [English translation]

My time approaches, this time is coming to its end. The whole of Stockholm sees me being crowned, cannons shoot salute! No oath taken, no oath I swear!1 The crown doesn't come from the church, it came directly from God.2

I show my strength through battle. Born to reign, to wage war. Knee by knee!3

My time is here

Over the Nordics4 I rule, with the legacy I was given

Over and over

Sing Carolus' song

The art of war I master

Let my name spread fear

Over and over

Sing Carolus' song

One more time, sing Carolus' song

Born to rule, lead my men in battle. No man can me command! I'm governed by God.

Hear my command, do not question me!

Know that such is my will, and thereby5 it shall be so.

Side by side into battle, with Caroleans6 I fight, knee by knee!3

My time is here

Over the Nordics4 I rule, with the legacy I was given

Over and over

Sing Carolus' song

The art of war I master

Let my name spread fear

Over and over

Sing Carolus' song

One more time, sing Carolus' song

[Spoken words by singer Joakim Brodén:]

Forwards, Caroleans!

The judgment over the enemy is here

Let us crush them

Throw them through the gates of hell

Everything I see, want more, who could stop me?7

The whole of Europe shall bow for my army8

What is yours shall be mine when I slay you9

My will be done!

Prove my strength through battle. Born to rule, to wage war. Knee by knee!3

My will be done!

My time is here

Over the Nordics4 I rule, with the legacy I was given

Over and over

Sing Carolus' song

The art of war I master

Let my name spread fear

Over and over

Sing Carolus' song

One more time, sing Carolus' song

1. "No oath I swear" can mean both that Carolus says he won't swear an oath and that he himself assures he hasn't sworn an oath.2. Refers to that Swedish kings had recently decided to claim they were graced their power solely by God, ie not by the people, nobility, priests and such. In Swedish of that time "kung av guds nåde", in Latin "Dei gratia". See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divine_right_of_kings3. a. b. c. This refers to the battle tactics of the Caroleans, the soldiers of the army, adapted by Karl XI and further developed by Karl XII (Carolux Rex). It means for infantry to go tightly, shoulder to shoulder, in formation and keep the formation until they reach a good position to fire their first volley. For the cavalry, it meant to ride as close as almost touching each other's knees. See https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karolinsk_stridstaktik4. a. b. c. Many people outside of the Nordic countries confuses "Norden" with "Scandinavia". "Scandinavia" is Sweden, Norway and most of the times also Denmark. Thus not Finland, nor Iceland. "Norden" (the Nordics/Nordic countries) nowadays means Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland. When Carolus Rex lived, Norway and Iceland didn't exist, they were part of Denmark proper. In the same manner, Finland didn't exist (not even by a geographical name). It was part of Sweden proper, later lost to Russia in 1809.5. Mistake in the Swedish original. "därmed"="thus" in English is really "därvid"="thereby". Same meaning though.6. "Caroleans" (karoliner) was the name of the Swedish soldiers under Carolus XI (Karl XI) and his son Carolus Rex / Carolus XII (Karl XII), See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caroleans7. This phrase is totally wrong in the original. Translated, the original says: Everything I see, the whole savage shall stop me. :)8. Of course doesn't mean to bow down literally, but to be defeated, ie the whole of Europe will be defeated by Carolus' army9. The Swedish original is wrong. It would mean: "What I want shall be mine and I will slay you". :)

• Artist:Sabaton
• Album:Carolus Rex (2012)