Magnell is often considered to belong to the Swedish progg-movement even if he often problemized their political idéas.
He also had his music labeled at Metronome, for whitch he was very criticized for by the progg-movement.
Magnell's lyrics was too not enough "plakatpolitiska", as expected by the musical movements leaders.
The word artist Magnell was more interested in the existential way, but he still had some sharp politic songs.
Messias
Ola Magnell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Har Messias varit här någon gång förut
Jag tränger undan skräck med skratt
Och väntar dag och natt
På Messias
Vilsna själar söker nån som är perfekt
Vilsna själar har en lykta som är släckt
Om herden och hans hjord
Av vilsna själar
Ska Messias bli en hit, en stor succé
Ska Messias bli bemött med spott och spe
Ska mobben ropa: "Far och flyg"
Om den blir alltför blyg
För Messias
Än en hjälte bärs in i gullstol, höjs till skyn
Än en hjälte körs ut i kylan, ner i dyn
En gäspning för en trött posör
Ett kungarike för
Än en hjälte
Ska Messias göra slut på Mammons lek
Ska Messias kallas jude eller grek
Ska tu bli ett, en kung bli krönt
Och änglar sjunga skönt
För Messias
Magdalena, mannens äldsta tidsfördriv
Magdalena fick tillbaks ett värdigt liv
I ett heligt men förljuget sken
Kom varje kastad sten
Mot Magdalena
Se Messias genom tårar som du fällt
Se Messias i de frågor som du ställt
Han kommer som en tjuv en natt
Och Satan faller platt
För Messias
The song "Messias" by Ola Magnell is a reflection on the idea of a messiah figure and the expectations that people may have of them. The lyrics question whether a messiah has ever landed on earth before and what their arrival would mean. The singer acknowledges the fear that people may feel and suggests that laughter can help to push it aside as they await the messiah's arrival.
The song then turns to the idea that lost souls are searching for someone who is perfect, yet their own hope is dwindling. The darkness of their situation is reflected in the way that they hurl accusations at one another about the shepherd and his herd. The singer recognizes the search for a savior is a difficult journey, but one that cannot be given up.
Magnell then explores the reception that a messiah figure may receive. Will they be hailed as a great success or shunned with disdain and even hate? The mob may even call for their banishment, but the singer still waits for their arrival.
The song also touches upon the way that people worship heroes, lifting them up on pedestals or casting them aside. But the singer believes that a messiah will be different, bringing an end to the game of Mammon and being worshipped by all. Lastly, the song acknowledges that a messiah can bring hope and redemption to even those who have been vilified by society, such as Magdalena, who was stoned but found redemption through their faith.
Line by Line Meaning
Ska Messias nånsin landa här till slut
Will the Messiah ever come to this place at the end?
Har Messias varit här någon gång förut
Has the Messiah been here before?
Jag tränger undan skräck med skratt
I push away fear with laughter
Och väntar dag och natt
And wait day and night
På Messias
For the Messiah
Vilsna själar söker nån som är perfekt
Lost souls seek someone who is perfect
Vilsna själar har en lykta som är släckt
Lost souls have a lantern that is out
I mörkret slungas ord mot ord
In the darkness, words are thrown back and forth
Om herden och hans hjord
About the shepherd and his flock
Av vilsna själar
By lost souls
Ska Messias bli en hit, en stor succé
Will the Messiah be a hit, a big success?
Ska Messias bli bemött med spott och spe
Will the Messiah be met with mockery and ridicule?
Ska mobben ropa: "Far och flyg"
Will the mob shout: "Leave and fly away"
Om den blir alltför blyg
If it becomes too shy
För Messias
For the Messiah
Än en hjälte bärs in i gullstol, höjs till skyn
Another hero is carried in on a golden chair, lifted up to the sky
Än en hjälte körs ut i kylan, ner i dyn
Another hero is driven out into the cold, down in the mud
En gäspning för en trött posör
A yawn for a tired poser
Ett kungarike för
A kingdom for
Än en hjälte
Another hero
Ska Messias göra slut på Mammons lek
Will the Messiah put an end to Mammon's game?
Ska Messias kallas jude eller grek
Will the Messiah be called a Jew or a Greek?
Ska tu bli ett, en kung bli krönt
Will you become one, a king be crowned
Och änglar sjunga skönt
And angels sing beautifully
För Messias
For the Messiah
Magdalena, mannens äldsta tidsfördriv
Magdalena, man's oldest pastime
Magdalena fick tillbaks ett värdigt liv
Magdalena got back a worthy life
I ett heligt men förljuget sken
In a holy but deceptive light
Kom varje kastad sten
Each thrown stone came
Mot Magdalena
Towards Magdalena
Se Messias genom tårar som du fällt
See the Messiah through tears you have shed
Se Messias i de frågor som du ställt
See the Messiah in the questions you have asked
Han kommer som en tjuv en natt
He comes like a thief in the night
Och Satan faller platt
And Satan falls flat
För Messias
For the Messiah
Contributed by Katherine L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.