From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Carl Michael Bellman (February 4, 1740 - February 11, 1795) was a Swedish poet and composer. Bellman is a central figure in the Swedish song tradition and remains a very important influence in Swedish music to this day.
His main two works are the Songs of Fredman ("Fredmans sånger") and the Epistles of Fredman ("Fredmans epistlar"), each including some 70 songs, many of which are about sociable drinking and or designed for the occasion of the same. His songs reflects aspects of the life for the common man in 18th century Stockholm, but by his composition Gustafs skål, an informal royal anthem, he had also acquired the patronage of King Gustav III of Sweden.
