Tommy Körberg (born July 4, 1948) is a Swedish singer and actor. English-sp… Read Full Bio ↴Tommy Körberg (born July 4, 1948) is a Swedish singer and actor. English-speaking audiences know him best for his role in the Benny Andersson–Björn Ulvaeus–Tim Rice musical Chess. He was the first to play the role of "The Russian" on the 1984 concept album Chess, and performed the same role on stage in the 1986 world premiere production in London. In the 1990s and 2000s he took time off from other projects in order to recreate the role in subsequent productions of Chess, including the 1994 tenth anniversary concert and the 2002 Stockholm production. He has also appeared in the Swedish productions of other musicals, including The Sound of Music and Les Miserables.

Eurovision Song Contest 1969 - Madrid
Entry for Sweden

Performer: Tommy Körberg
Song title: Judy, Min Vän
Song writer(s): Britt Lindeborg
Song composer(s): Roger Wallis

Sang in Position: 9
Final Position: 9
Total Points: 8

For the first time in the history of the Eurovision Song Contest, the outcome of the voting resulted in a tie for the first place. Four countries gained 18 points each: France, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom. Since there was no solution for this situation, all four countries were declared winners. Luckily, there were four medals available to the four winning singers - the four medals were intended for the winning singer and three winning songwriters.

The four winners differed a lot from one another: France had a haunting ballad performed by Frida Boccara, the Netherlands sent in Lenny Kuhr with a guitar, Spain and Salomé performed the energetic Vivo Cantando whereas the star from the British islands, Lulu, had a happy, clap-along song. However, having four winners caused lots of criticism from the media and several TV-stations re-considered participating in the following Eurovision Song Contest. Had the 1969 Eurovision Song Contest still attracted 16 countries, the number went down to only 12 in the 1970 edition of the contest.

Eurovision Song Contest 1988 - Dublin
Entry for Sweden

Performer: Tommy Körberg
Song title: Stad I Ljus
Song writer(s):
Song composer(s): Py Bäckman

Sang in Position: 2
Final Position: 12
Total Points: 52

The 1988 Eurovision Song Contest was hosted in Dublin for the third time, and featured one of the most exciting votings in the long history of the contest. Switzerland's entry Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi performed by Céline Dion beat the runner-up, the United Kingdom's Scott Fitzgerald by just a single point. Before the last vote, the UK entry was leading with 136 points to Switzerland's 131 but then Yugoslavia, the last country to vote, gave six points to Switzerland while ignoring the British song Go completely.

For Céline Dion, winning the 1988 Eurovision Song Contest was the starting point of her globe-wide career. Had she only been known in Canada and France before 1988, the Eurovision Song Contest gave her the opportunity to record songs which would sell millions of copies all around the world. But not only Céline Dion made a huge profit from the 1988 Eurovision Song Contest, also her colleague Lara Fabian who was singing for Luxembourg started a successful career after the contest with a mainly French-sung repertoire.

In 1988, 21 countries participated in the Eurovision Song Contest. Cyprus decided to withdraw because their entry did not match the rules of the contest: it had already been published previously. The venue of the 1988 contest was the same as in 1981, but this time, RTÉ managed to create a very special stage that created the illusion of a spage age-style grid which suggested that it was a huge arena with lots of lighting and special effects. Even nowadays, this set is still praised by experts.

Gud är ett barn
Tommy Körberg Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Nu har vi jul här i vårt hus
Vi firar ett barn Gud är ett barn
Född i ett stall en natt

I ett främmande land
Gud är ett barn

Genom världen

Ända upp hit
Hörs en mörk vind
Ljudet av krig

Och i natt kommer dom att
Knacka på din dörr
Och be om ett rum
Ja i natt
Kommer det ett litet barn med fred
Ta hand om det

Hela vår värld styrs utav män
Med pengar och makt
Men Gud är ett barn
Järnhandens grepp
Den starkes rätt
Men Gud är värnlös och svag

Genom tiden
Ända fram hit
Hörs en tunn gråt
Ljudet av liv

Och i natt kommer dom att
Knacka på din dörr
Och be om ett rum
Ja i natt
Kommer det ett litet barn med fred
Ta hand om det

Barn som kommer med fred
Barn som kommer med fred

Ta hand om det

Overall Meaning

The song "Gud är ett barn" by Tommy Körberg explores the juxtaposition between the power dynamics of the world and the vulnerability embodied by the figure of a child. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the Christmas season in a household, where the focus is on celebrating a child, highlighting the symbolism of God being born as a baby in a humble stable on a dark night. This imagery sets the tone for the broader themes of the song.

The lyrics then shift to a more somber tone, painting a stark contrast between the innocence of a child and the harsh realities of the world, represented by the sounds of war and conflict that echo throughout the world. Despite the chaos and darkness, there is a hopeful message conveyed through the idea that a child will come knocking on the door seeking refuge and peace. This child, symbolizing peace and innocence, serves as a reminder to humanity to care for and protect the vulnerable.

The song delves deeper into the power dynamics at play in the world, commenting on how power and wealth often govern the world's affairs. However, the lyrics emphasize that despite this, God is depicted as a child - defenseless and weak in the eyes of the powerful. This portrayal challenges the conventional notions of strength and power, suggesting that true divinity can be found in vulnerability and innocence.

Ultimately, the message of the song circles back to the image of a child bringing peace. The repeated call to "Ta hand om det" (Take care of it) serves as a plea to nurture and protect the innocence and peace symbolized by the child. The song serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of kindness, compassion, and protection for the most vulnerable among us, echoing the timeless message of love and peace that the Christmas season embodies.

Line by Line Meaning

Nu har vi jul här i vårt hus
Right now we have Christmas in our house

Vi firar ett barn Gud är ett barn
We celebrate a child, God is a child

Född i ett stall en natt
Born in a stable one night

I ett främmande land
In a foreign land

Gud är ett barn
God is a child

Genom världen
Throughout the world

Ända upp hit
All the way up here

Hörs en mörk vind
A dark wind is heard

Ljudet av krig
The sound of war

Och i natt kommer dom att
And tonight they will

Knacka på din dörr
Knock on your door