Bellman, Carl Michael (1740–1795)

Swedish songwriter and poet. His reputation rests on his lyrics, which he set to music, especially Fredmans Epistlar/Epistles of Fredman and Fredmans Sånger/Songs of Fredman, mostly written 1768–74. These give a vivid picture of Stockholm, often peopled by rogues and drunkards.

Realism is combined with humour and a supreme technical skill, making Bellman one of the few Swedish poets of universal importance. Lyrical descriptions of nature jostle with tavern scenes, his mood veering rapidly from exuberance to fear of death.

He was born in Stockholm and educated at Uppsala. At first a civil servant, he was able to devote himself entirely to literature through the generosity of Gustavus III, who gave him the sinecure appointment of secretary to the court.

His first literary efforts were religious poems. The former watchmaker Fredman and his friends are recurring characters in the best songs. Fredmans Epistlar/Epistles of Fredman was first published 1790 together with the musical notation. The word ‘epistles’ is one of many parodic allusions to the Bible. In composing, Bellman often drew on folk songs and a variety of other pre-existing tunes, but adapted the music artfully to maximize the impact of the words.