National anthem of Sweden

The Swedish national anthem – called “Sveriges nationalsång” in Sweden – is not only sung at sportevents like the Olympic games or games of the national football team. Swedes have a special relationship with their national anthem. They even sing it during private motto-parties and festivities, called sittnings, and, of course, on midsummer.

Swedish national anthem lyrics – Swedish and English

You can listen to the Swedish national anthem while reading (or singing) the original lyrics in Swedish and below in English.

Recorded during the “Welcoming ceremony” for Swedes who received their Swedish citizenship in the previous year, held on the 6th of June 2016 (Sweden’s national day), in Växjö, Sweden.

Lyrics in Swedish

Du gamla, Du fria, Du fjällhöga nord
Du tysta, Du glädjerika sköna!
Jag hälsar Dig, vänaste land uppå jord,
Din sol, Din himmel, Dina ängder gröna.

Du tronar på minnen från fornstora dar,
då ärat Ditt namn flög över jorden.
Jag vet att Du är och förblir vad du var.
Ja, jag vill leva jag vill dö i Norden.

Lyrics in English

Thou ancient, Thou free, Thou mountainous north
Thou quiet, Thou joyful [and] fair!
I greet thee, loveliest land upon earth,
Thy sun, Thy sky, Thy climes green.

Thou thronest on memories of great olden days,
When honoured Thy name flew across the earth,
I know that Thou art and wilt remain what thou werest,
Yes, I want to live, I want to die in the North.

Singing together

When Swedes sing their national anthem on the last day of school…

What makes Sweden’s anthem special

The national anthem of Sweden has been written by Richard Dybeck in 1844. Strangely, it has never been declared the official national anthem of Sweden by the parliament. This, although it is played during official state visits and other national events.

Swedes don’t mind and love to sing their national anthem whenever possible, loud and full of pride.

Zlatan’s version of the Swedish national anthem

A few years ago, Volvo released an advertisement campaign starring Swedish football legend  Zlatan Ibrahimovic. In the video you can hear him singing (or rather saying) the Swedish national anthem – with a slight change in the end: instead of saying Jag vill dö i Norden, I want to die in the North, he says Jag vill dö i Sverige, I wan to die in Sweden.

More about Sweden

• Swedish culture and traditions
• Swedish food
• Swedish fashion brands
• Swedish songs