ABSTRACT
Richard Dybeck was a Swedish jurist and antiquarian. He wrote the lyrics of the first two verses to the Swedish national anthem, which was to be accompanied by the melody of the ballad Kärestans död (Death of the beloved). Later verses were added by a number of singers, most significantly two by Louise Ahlén in the early 1900s, which appear below. The song itself has never been formally recognised by the state, but by 1893 the monarch rose when it was played, reflecting the popular acceptance of it as a national song. National anthems came to popularity in the nineteenth century, although many countries deployed older songs or folk tradition for this purpose. They reflect the growing emphasis on the nation as the central unit of political loyalty for individuals, rather than allegiance to the monarchy. The uses of music and lyrics to promote patriotism is suggestive of the emotional functions of music, while the ritual of singing an anthem, especially at significant public events, acts to bond communities together through a shared action.
