Odyssevs [English translation]

I have driven through the country a hundred times up and down,

I have soon seen every measurable spot of Sweden.

The high coast makes me lyrical, the ponderous mountains make me mute,

and the Indal willows make me tearful to the inner marrow.

It is a wonderful country we live in!

It is barren and it is wild,

and at times it is as beautiful as a dream.

But I have never seen anything more beautiful than you, my beloved.

I have drunk homemade aquavit with the hunters in the north

until I believed their terrible stories.

And I have guzzled whisky with the fishermen who travel to Oresund;

I became so drunk that I may never go on board again.

Newly smoked sik is best at Ulvon,

myrtle you will do yourself;

I have tried every taste and every drink.

But I have never tasted anything as good as you, my beloved.

I have performed my songs several thousand times,

I have soon looked at every adult Swede in the eyes.

I have tramped every board, I have stood on every stage,

A happy evening can be a real brotherhood.

The Swede is a gloomy devil,

But he carries something big;

But he can dig in and for the most part he is proud.

But I have never seen anyone prouder than you, my beloved.

I travel to foreign lands to retain my understanding,

and to feel that I indeed have passion.

Then I went down to southern Europe to enjoy the cafe

of the New Guard's anarchistic visions.

The bureaucrat in my head

he has his place in this country,

the sensuality is found somewhere else.

But I have never felt a sensuality like yours, my beloved.

I have promised green forests, I have also promised gold,

and a couple of times I have promised eternal faithfulness.

and I have felt that it was true, but when I face a betrayal

then I become terrible, then I want to behold the heartache.

If you want to travel by my side

it costs a lot,

But it is paltry compared with what it can give.

It is not little that I want to promise you tonight, my beloved.

• Artist:Björn Afzelius
• Album:Ridderna kring runda bordet (1987)