| Sabaton – 1648 Lyrics | 6 years ago |
| Although still being about the atrocities commited by the Swedish forces, the Swedish version of the lyrics actually have a slightly different perspective. Rather than explaining the heroic defense, the Swedish version explains the actions of the Swedish army from the Swedish perspective. If you are into Sabaton and not a native Swedish speaker, I highly recommend you find out what the Swedish versions of the song mean, as they often are slightly different. | |
| Sabaton – Gott Mit Uns Lyrics | 6 years ago |
| "Gott mitt uns" is German for "God with us", which was the official motto of the Swedish King Gustav II Adolf (Gustavus Adolphus), who personally led his army of Swedish conscripts in the Thirty Years War. In many ways, he was a revolutionary tactician, laying the foundation for a new era of military docringe, later to be used succesfully by the Caroleans. He focused on mobility and speed, even when it came to his artillery. Truly an opportunist who made the most of a situation and kicked of the Era of Great Power in Sweden (Stormaktstiden). | |
| Sabaton – Killing Ground Lyrics | 6 years ago |
|
The song is clearly about the battle of Fraustadt in 1706, a decisive Swedish victory in the Great Northern War (1700-1721). The battle was decisive in in ending the Polish campaign of Charles XII (Carolus Rex). The opposing sides consisted of almost 10 000 Swedish Caroleans, mostly cavalry, led by famous (infamous) Swedish lieutenant general Carl Gustaf Rehnskiöld, facing a Saxon-Russian force totaling more than 20 000, plus several dozen cannons, all under the command of Johann Matthias von der Schulenburg. It was Rehnskiöld who, in spite of the threatening odds, decided to attack the enemy, instead of retreating to the main army led by Charles XII himself. In deploying for the battle, Rehnskiöld and his experienced Caroleans ensured almost every advantage. As the battle begn early in the february morning, Rehnskiöld siezed the initiative. He attacked on both flanks simultaneously, and soon followed up with a full on attack in the center. Although the enenmy enjoyed the benefits from being on the defese (granting full use of cannons and cover), the Carolean cavalry eventually broke through both flanks and surounded the infantry, now being engaged in meele with the Swedish line infantry (standard Carolean procedure). Although their numerical advantage worked in their favour, it was not sustainable to fight in all directions for very long. Many were captured, the rest fled. Rehnskiöld's army counted about 400 dead and 1000 wounded, whereas the Saxons and Russians had over 7000 dead and around 7500 that were captured by the Swedish forces in the ending phase of the battle. It is considered a perfect use of Hanibal's tectics used at Cannae, surrounding the enemy with a numerically inferior army by defeating their flank protection. Had the same been possible if the Swedish army had consisted of less cavalry and more infantry? My guess is that it would be difficult to go on the offensive without control of the flanks, but then again, the Caroleans sure could hold their own in battle. The Carolean doctrine was an offensice one, and in battles such as Narwa (1700), the infantry carried the day in spite of the odds being stacked against them. The song also refrences the alleged massacre of around 500 Russian POWs that is supposed to have taken place after the battle. According to contemporary sources, it was authorized by Rehnskiöld himself. Some claim that he believed the Russians had turned their coats the other way in order to escape prolonged imprisonment (as the Saxons were about to be thoroughly defeated and a peace presumably would follow), whereas they actually had been ordered to do so to avoid confusion and friendly fire between the Saxons and themselves. Rehnskiöld later denied giving that order (while himself being a POW in Russia). |
|
| Sabaton – Ruina Imperii Lyrics | 8 years ago |
|
A beautiful song indeed. It is about the Swedish army returning home after the death of Charles XII (Karl XII in Swedish). He died during the seige of Halden, a part of his failed attempt to invade Norway. The king was shot in the side of his head when he visited the the soldiers digging trenches, inspiring them. This event put an end to what in Sweden is referred to as "The Era of Great Power" and meant the death of one of the most charismatic Swedish kings of all time. If you want an interesting read, you should look in to Charles XII and his military conquests during the Great Nordic War. The song tells a sad story of the fear and dispair in a war-torn country as well as an uncertainty about the future. |
|
* This information can be up to 15 minutes delayed.