På mäster Olofs tid [English translation]

Pappa, how was it before?

Tell how everything was before

Nothing is said, nothing is written;

How was it actually before?

Then we had a respected name.

Then I was proud of my country.

One knew us widely around;

Soon one knew nothing.

When Sweden spoke, one listened,

because everyone knew that it was true

To say something was a philosophy

in Master Olof's time.

Then we were the Third World's greatest friend,

a constant battle for freedom.

We sent money widely around;

Soon we gave nothing.

The beautiful word solidarity

then had a meaning which was concrete.

To serve everyone was a philosophy

in Master Olof's time.

That's when the people demanded the secretaries

keep the promises to the electorate.

to keep the word of democracy;

Soon nothing will be cherished

This time one took for granted

that responsibility assumes honesty.

to keep a word was a philosophy

in Master Olof's time.

That time the media didn't hesitate

to bring up the large questions.

They want to be with their time;

Soon they want nothing.

At the time the journalists were allowed

to go out and engage people.

A high level was a philosophy

in Master Olof's time.

Then one was called upon to think big

and to understand that everything is connected.

To see the world is like a ring;

Soon one sees nothing.

At the time the millions were spent

to realize the visions.

To have a dream was a philosophy

In Master Olof's time.

The new time came on a chilly night.

No one had ever seen a night so dark.

A night which all the people remember;

Then they remember nothing.

So let me say to you, little friend:

A bullet drew us into silence.

But that was never a philosophy

in Master Olof's time.

• Artist:Björn Afzelius
• Album:Tankar vid 50 (1997