The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
While Europe speak of peace all other battles cease
There's a man who aims for more than he can reach
(Blood)
All over
(Prague)
On fire
(Burn)
All of Bohemia set ablaze
Stand on their own
The road to the city's been blocked
Denied
To enter the gates
Though they tried
When Prague was called to arms
They fought them on the bridge
Their freedom was at stake
Stand and fight the city is burning
Königsmarck lost stopped him at Karluv Most
Stained by blood their brothers die side by side
Did what they could
Died where they stood
Their city's been besieged all hell on Prague unleashed
As the cannons crush the walls the city shakes
(Fear)
Is spreading
(Hate)
Increasing
(Death)
And pain is all that Sweden brought
Rise and strike back
The walls of the city's been breached
Reclaimed
On that very night
Unsustained
They did it on their own
They fought them on the bridge
Their freedom was at stake
Stand and fight the city is burning
Königsmarck lost stopped him at Karluv Most
Stained by blood their brothers die side by side
Did what they could
Died where they stood
Unconquered city on Vltava's shore
Start of the conflict and end of the war [X2]
Unconquered city on Vltava's shore
Is protected by its people
And thirty years ago the war begun
It's returned to where it started
The road to the city's been blocked
Denied
To enter the gates
Though they tried
When Prague was called to arms
They fought them on the bridge
Their freedom was at stake
Stand and fight the city is burning
Königsmarck lost stopped him at Karluv Most
Stained by blood their brothers die side by side
Did what they could
Died where they stood [X2]
There's a man who aims for more than he can reach
(Blood)
All over
(Prague)
On fire
(Burn)
All of Bohemia set ablaze
Stand on their own
The road to the city's been blocked
Denied
To enter the gates
Though they tried
When Prague was called to arms
They fought them on the bridge
Their freedom was at stake
Stand and fight the city is burning
Königsmarck lost stopped him at Karluv Most
Stained by blood their brothers die side by side
Did what they could
Died where they stood
Their city's been besieged all hell on Prague unleashed
As the cannons crush the walls the city shakes
(Fear)
Is spreading
(Hate)
Increasing
(Death)
And pain is all that Sweden brought
Rise and strike back
The walls of the city's been breached
Reclaimed
On that very night
Unsustained
They did it on their own
They fought them on the bridge
Their freedom was at stake
Stand and fight the city is burning
Königsmarck lost stopped him at Karluv Most
Stained by blood their brothers die side by side
Did what they could
Died where they stood
Unconquered city on Vltava's shore
Start of the conflict and end of the war [X2]
Unconquered city on Vltava's shore
Is protected by its people
And thirty years ago the war begun
It's returned to where it started
The road to the city's been blocked
Denied
To enter the gates
Though they tried
When Prague was called to arms
They fought them on the bridge
Their freedom was at stake
Stand and fight the city is burning
Königsmarck lost stopped him at Karluv Most
Stained by blood their brothers die side by side
Did what they could
Died where they stood [X2]
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This song is obviously about the Battle of Prague in 1648 and the crimes against humanity that the Swedish troops were guilty of by sacking, or at least trying to sack the city of Prague.
Thanks so much. Fascinating history. I guess 'sacking' can have more than one meaning ;-)
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.