->''Tycker du att graven är för djup? Nå välan, så tag dig då en sup.''
->(Do you think your grave is too deep? Very well, then take a drink.\\
->-- Fredmans epistel n:o 21

Carl Michael Bellman was an 18th century Swedish songwriter, and is still considered by many to be Sweden's greatest poet... [=EVER=]. His main 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 four major forces that ruled 18th century Stockholm; [[TrueArtIsAngsty angst]], [[EverybodyHasLotsOfSex lust]], [[DrowningMySorrows booze]] and [[DeathIsDramatic death]].

One interesting thing about Bellman's songs is that they are mostly narrative stories, revolving around a group of characters living in 18th century Stockholm. Also the songs are often quite humorous, so they are kind of like episodes of a sitcom.

Bellman's songs are still very much a living part of Swedish culture. Many contemporary musicians (including {{Candlemass}} and {{Marduk}}) have recorded versions of one or more of his songs, and you can still hear some of his songs sung by rowdy partyers if you stroll through Stockholm's Old Town late at night.

These are the most common characters that are being used in Bellman's works (mainly the Epistles of Fredman)

''Fredman'' is a watchmaker "without workshop or clocks".

''Movitz'' is an Army bugler by day and virtuoso of many instruments by night. Fredman's constant companion and old drinking buddy.

''Ulla Winblad'' is a "seamstress" and the target of Fredman's mostly unwanted affections.

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!!Bellman, his music and his writings contain examples of:

* AllWomenAreLustful: Pretty much all of Bellman's female characters, with a few noteable exceptions; Susanna, for example.
* BadAss: Lorenz Mollberg
* BawdySong: Bellman ''defines'' this trope, while still keeping his songs very artistic and beautiful. This versatility is what many people consider to be why his songs are so popular.
* ChivalrousPervert: Every single male character.
* DrowningMySorrows: Pretty much every character in the songs, Movitz in particular though.
* EverybodyHasLotsOfSex
* EveryoneLooksSexierIfFrench: Jergen Puckel (though tecnically he's half-German).
* MyGirlIsASlut: Ulla Winblad
* NoSexAllowed: So averted...
* TheAlcoholic: All the chracters of the songs, and Bellman himself.
* WretchedHive: Stockholm
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