En Livstid I Krig

The song is about a cavalry man drafted into the Swedish imperial army in the 17th century (in the 30 year war). From a young age will live a life of war abroad and no one will even miss him.

In the 17th century a Swedish landowner could assign a man into the cavalry. The landowner had to provide the man, the horse, and also the equipment himself. But as a compensation the landowner would be exempt from taxes. So this cavalry man was mainly an financial investment for the landowner. The man could be selected from among the peasants working for the landowner, but it could also be a hired man, or someone else they didn't care about that much. The landowner might even acquire and raise and orphan boy just so that he could be sent off to the cavalry.

The song tells what it is like to be that young lad. In the beginning he's riding off to war, not knowing will he ever see the his home again. Then he describes how soldiers life is just one battle after another. He sees his friends fall. There is only death and no heroism.

He wonders if when his time finally runs out if anyone cares, if there is a dignified end, to just sleep and wake no more.

In the chorus he describes how he gives his life for his country, how war can destroy a man, and how no one misses him. Perhaps he has no proper family and thus he thinks how some of his fellow soldiers will be missed as spouses, fathers, sons etc. but there is no one who would miss him, and who would be sad when he is gone.

English lyrics (they're different from the English version of the song)

I look around and I see my home fade away My time at home now feels far too short Just a youth, barely a man when duty called me If i get to see my home again, that I do not know Amongst friends from my village, I went out to figtht And the world burned

For war it can Destroy a man I give my life for my homeland But who will mourn me? So see me as A husband, a friend Father and son who never comes home But who will miss me?

Went to fight for Sweden, was baptized in blood Out there where death awaits, not heroism In fields where kinsmen fall no song is heard Challenging our destiny one more time

Far from home Baptized and die in battle

And the world burned

For war it can Destroy a man I give my life for my homeland But who will mourn me? So see me as A husband, a friend Father and son who never comes home But who will miss me?

And when my time runs out Who cares then? They fight on Does a soldier get a worhty end? To fall asleep Pass away And never wake up

For war it can Destroy a man I give my life for my homeland But who will mourn me? So see me as A husband, a friend Father and son who never comes home But who will miss me?