"Gustafs skål", literally Toast to Gustaf, is a song written by Carl Michael Bellman as a salutation to King Gustaf III of Sweden, following the coup d'etat in 1772, which made himself an autocrat and ended the parliamentary Age of Liberty. The king very much liked the song and informally it came to function as his royal anthem. MIDI music file (http://www.dagensvisa.com/minata/dav/gustafs_skal.mid) Carl Michael Bellman (February 4, 1740 _ February 11, 1795) was a Swedish poet and composer. ... Gustav III (13 January 1746 (O.S.) (24 January 1746 (N.S.))–March 29, 1792) was the King of Sweden from February 12, 1771 until his death. ... A coup détat, or simply a coup, is the sudden overthrow of a government, usually done by a small group that just replaces the top power figures. ... Events February 17 - First partition of Russia and Prussia, later including Austria May - Watauga Association formed in East Tennessee as the first independent Anglo-American government. ... The Great Northern War See also: Great Northern War The victory at Narva Charles XI of Sweden had carefully provided against the contingency of his successors minority; and the five regents appointed by him, if not great statesmen, were at least practical politicians who had not been trained in... A royal anthem is a patriotic song, much like a national anthem that recognizes the nations monarch. ...

Gustafs Skål!

Gustafs skål!

Den bäste Kung, som Norden äger:

Han ej tål,

At vigtskåln ojämt väger. :||:

God och glad,

Han Ilskans röst föraktar

Samt afvaktar

Och betraktar

Dårskap i sin grad. :||:

Sådan Kung

Är värd att styra Sveriges öden:

Rask och ung,

Ej rådlös uti nöden. :||:

Wasa Ätt

Har aldrig lärt att svika,

Aldrig tvika,

Men at fika

Till at göra rätt. :||:

See also: Kungssången