Sabaton

Sabaton is my jam. Since discovering them in 2021, I have been listening to them very often. I am unsure if Sabaton started my passion for history (especially military history), or if they are history teachers who strengthened my preexisting interest.

I am going to quickly thrown in my opinion here. History is "boring" if one is only trying to memorize dates and timelines. Otherwise, history is extremely interesting, to see how past actions affect the present and future, and how we may prevent ourselves from making the same mistakes our ancestors made. History is beyond just learning about the past, but also to craft a better future through studying our predecessors.

Sabaton is a Swedish metal band that sings songs about real war stories. Instead of glorifying war, I think Sabaton simply tells us the experiences of soldiers from different eras, in hopes that we would remember the sacrifices they made. War is an ugly business. Diplomatic failure of political leaders cause the loss of countless lives. It is through Sabaton's songs that we do not forget such lives.

The day not half over
And ten thousand slain
And now there's nobody remembers our names
And that's how it is for a soldier

- 1916, by Motörhead. Sabaton also did a cover of this song with minor changes to the lyrics. Battle of the Somme, 1916.

When they face death they're all alike
No right or wrong
Rich or poor
No matter who they served before
Good or bad
They're all the same
Rest side by side now

- A Lifetime Of War, by Sabaton. Thirty Years War, 17th century.

Sabaton does not just tell stories from the victor's perspective. Hearts of Iron tells of the 12th Army of World War Two Germany evacuating civilians out of Berlin and into territory controlled by the U.S., even though they were instructed to attack the Russians.

Who'll survive and who will die?
Up to Kriegsglück to decide
Those who made it cross, without a loss, have reason to reflect
It is not about Berlin, it is not about the Reich
It's about the men, who fought for them, what peace can they expect?

- Hearts of Iron, by Sabaton. The bolded part may have been said by Walther Wenck, the general of the 12th Army during the Battle of Berlin.

Comments on Instagram.
My only interaction with Sabaton's official Instragram account. I am well aware that the people managing the account might not be the actual musicians of the metal band, but this was still an amazing moment of my life.

Profound Sabaton Songs (recommended)

  • A Lifetime Of War
  • Hearts of Iron
  • The Price of a Mile
  • The Ballad of Bull
  • The Final Solution
  • Christmas Truce

I want to end this page with one last excerpt from one of Sabaton's songs. They are excellent storytellers. Straightforward, rhyming lyrics touch me more than the majority of pop music nowadays.

Young men are dying
They pay the price
Oh how they suffer
So tell me what's the price of a mile

(Amazing instrumental break)

There's no price for a mile

- The Price of a Mile, by Sabaton.