Kong Christian

Kong Christian ("King Christian") is the royal anthem of the Scandinavian Realm. Adopted in 1780 by the Oldenburg Monarchy, it is one of the oldest in the world. It was composed by Ditlev Ludvig Rogert. The lyrics first appeared in Johannes Ewald's historical drama Krigſkipene ("The Battleships") in 1828.

The lyrics describes a battle between two fictional battleships, the King Christian and the Satan, and the former's triumph over the latter in a Dark Rolling Sea. It is a metaphor of the Scandinavian Realm's turbulent maritime history. The King Christian represents the Scandinavian Realm, the Dark Rolling Sea represents its maritime history, and the Satan represents the historical obstacles it has triumphed over.

Lyrics

Kong Christian	King Christian
[In Riksmål]	[English translation]
Kong Christian ſtod med høg en Maſt I Røk og Damp; Hennes Værje hamrede ſvå faſt, at Satans Hjælm og Hjærne braſt. Da ſank hvært djævelſk Spegel og Maſt I Røk og Damp. Fly, ſkrek de, fly, hvad flykte kan! Hvo ſtår for Rikets Christian (2x) I Kamp?	King Christian stood with high a mast In mist and smoke; Her crew hammered so steadfastly, that Satan's helm and brains blew up; Then sank each evil hulk and mast, In mist and smoke. "Fly!" shouted they, "fly, he who can! Who braves of the Realm's Christian (2x) In fight?"
Vår Rikes Væg til Ros og Makt, Svartlåten Hav! Mottak din Ven, ſom uforſagt Torr møte Faren med Forakt Svå ſtolt som du mot Stormens Makt, Svartlåten Hav! Og raſk igegnem Larm og Spil Og Kamp og Segr før mig til (2x) Min Grav!	Path of our Realm to fame and might, Dark-rolling sea! Receive thy friend, who, scorning flight, dares to meet danger with despite, proudly as you, the tempest's might, Dark-rolling sea! And amid pleasures and alarms, and war and victory, be your arms (2x) my grave!

Fraktur text

http://www.melroch.se/ib/kong_christian.gif

External Link

• MP3 File