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.
Dreams are seldom shattered, by a bullet in the dark
Rulers come and rulers go, will our kingdom fall apart?
Who shall we now turn to, when our leaders lost their heart?
Lives are lost but at what cost, will the grand dream fall apart?
Killed by his own or by his foes, turned the tide
Three hundreds years still no one knows, the secret remains
Broken dreams so grand, sing of his final stand, long live Carolus
Brought by soldiers hand, back to the fatherland, long live Carolus Rex
Brought him back to Sweden, where we put him in a chest
Years of war and agony, now the king can finally rest
What will be uncovered, from that cold November night
Fredrikshald, what happened there, will it ever come to light?
Killed by his own or by his foes, turned the tide
Three hundreds years still no one knows, the secret remains
Broken dreams so grand, sing of his final stand, long live Carolus
Brought by soldiers hand, back to the fatherland, long live Carolus Rex
For their honor, for their glory
For the men who fought and bled
A soldier from Sweden remembers the dead
Broken dreams so grand, sing of his final stand, long live Carolus
Brought by soldiers hand, back to the fatherland, long live Carolus
Broken dreams so grand, sing of his final stand, long live Carolus
Brought by soldiers hand, back to the fatherland, long live Carolus Rex
Rulers come and rulers go, will our kingdom fall apart?
Who shall we now turn to, when our leaders lost their heart?
Lives are lost but at what cost, will the grand dream fall apart?
Killed by his own or by his foes, turned the tide
Three hundreds years still no one knows, the secret remains
Broken dreams so grand, sing of his final stand, long live Carolus
Brought by soldiers hand, back to the fatherland, long live Carolus Rex
Brought him back to Sweden, where we put him in a chest
Years of war and agony, now the king can finally rest
What will be uncovered, from that cold November night
Fredrikshald, what happened there, will it ever come to light?
Killed by his own or by his foes, turned the tide
Three hundreds years still no one knows, the secret remains
Broken dreams so grand, sing of his final stand, long live Carolus
Brought by soldiers hand, back to the fatherland, long live Carolus Rex
For their honor, for their glory
For the men who fought and bled
A soldier from Sweden remembers the dead
Broken dreams so grand, sing of his final stand, long live Carolus
Brought by soldiers hand, back to the fatherland, long live Carolus
Broken dreams so grand, sing of his final stand, long live Carolus
Brought by soldiers hand, back to the fatherland, long live Carolus Rex
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Great version of a great song,
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Long live Gustavus and Carolus !