Gammaldags moral [English translation]

I grew up in the country,

with the simple demands of the time

to respect teachers,

police, mother and father.

It was important to be honest,

polite, whole and pure.

And if one lived according to the scripture

one came up to Heaven.

A word had a value,

a handshake also.

One obeyed the law

as soon as you could walk..

One helped relatives and friends,

one tried to be loyal.

And one listened to their elders

for the knowledge that they have.

It was so then.

Yes, it was so then;

That time will never come again.

Then I moved to the large city,

and time moved on.

Soon I was myself a parent,

and in the middle of a career.

And I did what I could

to teach my children

the values I brought with me,

because I thought they were good.

Soon my children traveled

toward their future.

Then I can only hope

they sort out the confusion,

when they are forced to confront

my olden days morals

with all the shit which goes on

around them every day;

Like that prests go to whore houses,

that policemen sell dope,

and that teachers stand and expose themselves

in the evening in a park.

Like the younger ones beat up the older ones,

that politicians cheat,

and that the city's role seems to be

to protect the cheaters.

Because it is so now.

Yes, it is so now;

What will my poor kids believe?

• Artist:Björn Afzelius
• Album:Tanker vid 50 (1997)