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Lyrics of Colors Blue White Red by HistoryMusicNerd

In ’89, the whispers turned to cries,
The ancient regime paid the price.
The hungry masses, tired of the game.
Stormed the Bastille, and sparked the flame.

The crowd is holding the kings head
They wave the colors blue, white, red.

Oh Bonaparte
The monarchy did favor some
It only saw where you come from
Regarded you as worthless scum
Left you starving, poor and dumb

1793, the Reign of Terror’s dread,
Robespierre ruled, so many dead.
But in the chaos, ideals still thrived,
A new republic fought and survived.
From the Marseillaise to the tricolor high,
The Revolution’s dream would never die.

The crowd is holding the kings head
They wave the colors blue, white, red.

Oh Bonaparte
The jacobins did favor none
Their killing spree had just begun
The body’s drying in the sun
Until they too became undone

1794, the terror had to end,
Robespierre fell, betrayed by friend.
The guillotine’s blade took its final toll,
But the Revolution regained control.
The Directory came, a fragile peace,
The bloodshed paused, the violence ceased.

France stands alone, it makes the decision.
To fight against the first coalition.

The crowd is holding the kings head
They wave the colors blue, white, red.

Oh Bonaparte
The new republic favors some
No matter where they shall come from
They seek the beat of your war drum
But they don’t know what you‘ll become

France stands alone, it makes the decision.
To fight against the first coalition.
With the colors of freedom blue, white, red.

Historical Background

In short: The song is about Napoleon and the French Revolution 1789.

Colors Blue White Red – The Revolution That Created an Emperor

Some revolutions tear down kings. Others build new ones.

Sabaton’s Colors Blue White Red isn’t just a song about the French Revolution—it’s about how chaos, blood, and ideals paved the way for one man to take control. This is the rise of Napoleon, from the streets of revolutionary France to the battlefield where he would shape history.

1789 – The Revolution Begins

“In ’89, the whispers turned to cries, the ancient regime paid the price.”

For centuries, France was ruled by the Ancien Régime—a system where kings and nobles lived in luxury while the people starved. The monarchy favored the few, while the rest suffered under crushing taxes and hunger.

But whispers of change became shouts of revolution.

On July 14, 1789, the storming of the Bastille marked the start of the French Revolution (French Revolution).

“The monarchy did favor some, it only saw where you come from, regarded you as worthless scum, left you starving, poor, and dumb.”

The people had enough. They overthrew the monarchy, executed King Louis XVI, and declared a republic. But revolution is never clean.

1793 – The Reign of Terror

“1793, the Reign of Terror’s dread, Robespierre ruled, so many dead.”

After the execution of the king, France fell into chaos. The Jacobins, led by Maximilien Robespierre, launched the Reign of Terror (1793-1794)—a period of mass executions by guillotine (Reign of Terror).

Anyone seen as an enemy of the revolution—nobles, priests, even fellow revolutionaries—was beheaded.

“The Jacobins did favor none, their killing spree had just begun, the body’s drying in the sun, until they too became undone.”

Eventually, Robespierre himself was executed—proof that even revolutionaries can become tyrants.

1794 – France Seeks Stability

“1794, the terror had to end, Robespierre fell, betrayed by friend.”

With Robespierre dead, France sought order. The Directory took control—a weak government that struggled to hold the country together. But France still had enemies on all sides.

“France stands alone, it makes the decision. To fight against the First Coalition.”

Britain, Austria, Prussia, and others wanted to crush the revolution (War of the First Coalition). France needed a leader. A warrior. A savior.

The Rise of Bonaparte – The Man Who Would Be Emperor

“Oh Bonaparte, the new republic favors some, no matter where they shall come from. They seek the beat of your war drum, but they don’t know what you’ll become.”

Born in Corsica, Napoleon wasn’t an aristocrat—he was an outsider, a nobody. But in war, he proved himself a genius. By 1796, he led French armies to victory in Italy, outmaneuvering superior enemies with speed and strategy. By 1799, France was still in chaos—and Napoleon seized power in a coup, declaring himself First Consul. By 1804, he crowned himself Emperor of France (Napoleon Bonaparte).

The revolution that started to end kings had just created a new one.

Why Colors Blue White Red Still Matters

The French Revolution changed the world. It proved that monarchies weren’t invincible and that ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity could topple even the most powerful kings. But it also showed that revolutions don’t always lead to democracy. Sometimes, they lead to new rulers, new wars, and new empires.

Napoleon was born from the revolution—but in the end, he became what it fought against.

“With the colors of freedom blue, white, red.”

The Lesson?

History doesn’t always go the way you expect. France fought for freedom—and got an emperor. The monarchy was overthrown—but power still rested in one man’s hands. Because revolutions don’t just destroy the past.

They create the future.

Listen to the song here:

About Niels

Niels believes every historical event has its own rhythm, every era its unique melody, and every story its untold song. He brings history to life, capturing the essence of pivotal moments, fascinating figures, and the cultural transformations that shaped our world. His work makes history not only informative but deeply emotional and memorable.

On this website, you’ll discover his latest songs, insights into his creative process, and curated playlists of his favorite historical tunes. Join Niels on this melodic adventure where every note tells a story, and every story inspires a song.


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