Sweden
Divine Comedy Lyrics

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I would like to live in Sweden
When my work is done
Where the snow lies crisp and even
'Neath the midnight sun

Safe and clean and green and modern
Bright and breezy, free and easy
Sweden, Sweden, Sweden, in Sweden

I am gonna live in Sweden
Please don't ask me why
For if I were to give a reason
It would be a lie

Tall and strong and blonde and blue eyed
Pure and healthy, very wealthy
Sweden, Sweden, Sweden, in Sweden

I'll grow wings and fly to Sweden
When my time is come
Then at last my eyes shall see them
Heroes everyone

Ingmar Bergman
Henrik Ibsen
Karin Larsson
Nina Persson

Sweden, Sweden,Sweden
In Sweden

Overall Meaning

The song "Sweden" by Divine Comedy expresses the desire of the singer to live in Sweden after completing his work. The lyrics portray Sweden as a safe, clean, and modern country, where the snow lies crisp and even under the midnight sun. The singer is initially attracted to Sweden because of its tall, strong, and blonde and blue-eyed population, which is considered pure and healthy, and also very wealthy.

However, the singer also expresses a deeper admiration for Sweden, mentioning some of its famous heroes and cultural icons like Ingmar Bergman, Henrik Ibsen, Karin Larsson, and Nina Persson. The characters listed in the song are known for their contributions to Swedish arts and culture, which is seen as heroic in the singer’s eyes. The singer's desire to live in Sweden is not based on a specific reason, as he notes that “if I were to give a reason, it would be a lie." It could be interpreted as a metaphor for the singer’s desire to escape his current situation and to find a new life in Sweden.

In conclusion, the song “Sweden” is a tribute to the beauty, modernity, and cultural richness of Sweden. The lyrics express the singer’s desire to live in Sweden after completing his work, not only because of the physical attributes of its people and nature but also for the extraordinary contributions of its cultural icons.

Line by Line Meaning

I would like to live in Sweden
Expresses desire to live in Sweden

When my work is done
After work is done

Where the snow lies crisp and even
Describes the quality of the snow

'Neath the midnight sun
Refers to the phenomenon of the sun shining during nighttime

Safe and clean and green and modern
Describes the positive qualities of Sweden

Bright and breezy, free and easy
Further describes the positive qualities of Sweden

Sweden, Sweden, Sweden, in Sweden
Repeats the desire to live in Sweden

I am gonna live in Sweden
Reiterates the desire to live in Sweden

Please don't ask me why
Does not have a specific reason for wanting to live in Sweden

For if I were to give a reason
Implies that there is no particular reason for wanting to live in Sweden

It would be a lie
Further emphasizes that there is no real reason for wanting to live in Sweden