Lyrics of Rise of Evil of Sabaton
A nation in despair, weakened by war, defeated
Lost their pride in Versailles
A former prisoner, with a vision or delusion
Rise to power in the Reich
Rebuilding an army
Make the nation proud
Disregarding the treaty
Secret plans for “lebensraum”
Start the holocaust
The Reich will rise
Propaganda, the Reich will rise
To last a thousand years
Burning books to spread, anti-Semite propaganda
Who will stop the madman’s reign?
Night of broken glass, send the Jews to Dachau death camp
On a path to certain death
The “anschluss” completed
On the brink of war
Act brutal with no pity
Be harsh, show no remorse
Start the war machine
I see the eagle rising
The rise of evil
In the last days of peace
Europe holding its breath
An invasion is coming but when will it start?
Who will be first to fall? Who will be last to stand?
Who will stop all this madness that has consequences no man understand?
No man, no land!
I see an evil rising
The rise of evil
Historical Background
In short: The song is about the rise of Hitler and the Nazi Party in the 1930s.
Rise of Evil – The Road to War
Some wars begin on the battlefield. Others start in the minds of men.
Rise of Evil by Sabaton tells the dark and terrifying story of Adolf Hitler’s rise to power and the events that led to World War II.
This is how a defeated nation fell under the rule of a dictator, and the world was dragged into its deadliest war.
The Treaty of Versailles – Humiliation and Revenge
“A nation in despair, weakened by war, defeated. Lost their pride in Versailles.”
After World War I, Germany was crippled by the Treaty of Versailles (1919).
- Forced to accept full responsibility for the war.
- Lost territory and colonies.
- Limited to a tiny army and no air force.
- Forced to pay huge reparations, ruining its economy.
The treaty angered many Germans, creating a perfect breeding ground for extremism.
Hitler’s Rise – From Prisoner to Dictator
“A former prisoner, with a vision or delusion, rise to power in the Reich.”
- In 1923, Hitler attempted the Beer Hall Putsch, trying to overthrow the government—he failed and was imprisoned.
- While in jail, he wrote Mein Kampf, outlining his vision for a new Germany.
- After his release, he rebuilt the Nazi Party, gaining support through propaganda, nationalism, and racism.
Building the War Machine
“Rebuilding an army, make the nation proud, disregarding the treaty.”
After becoming Chancellor in 1933, Hitler quickly dismantled democracy:
- He banned opposition parties.
- Used the Reichstag Fire (1933) to declare emergency powers.
- Began military rearmament in violation of Versailles.
“Secret plans for ‘lebensraum’.”
Hitler’s goal was Lebensraum (living space)—expanding eastward into Poland and the Soviet Union.
The Rise of the Nazi State
“The Reich will rise, propaganda, the Reich will rise, to last a thousand years.”
With the help of Joseph Goebbels, Hitler’s Nazi propaganda machine spread:
- Burning books to control information.
- Blaming Jews and communists for Germany’s problems.
- Creating the Hitler Youth to indoctrinate children.
The Night of Broken Glass – The Beginning of the Holocaust
“Night of broken glass, send the Jews to Dachau death camp, on a path to certain death.”
On November 9–10, 1938, during Kristallnacht (The Night of Broken Glass):
- Jewish businesses, synagogues, and homes were destroyed.
- Thousands of Jews were sent to concentration camps, such as Dachau.
- This marked the beginning of the Holocaust, which would claim six million Jewish lives.
The Path to War – Austria and Czechoslovakia Fall
“The ‘Anschluss’ completed, on the brink of war.”
- In 1938, Hitler annexed Austria in the Anschluss.
- Later that year, he took the Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia.
Europe allowed these moves, hoping to avoid war—but Hitler wasn’t finished.
World War II Begins – Invasion of Poland
“In the last days of peace, Europe holding its breath, an invasion is coming.”
On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland—World War II had begun.
- The Blitzkrieg strategy overwhelmed Polish defenses.
- Britain and France declared war on Germany.
- The world plunged into chaos for the next six years.
“I see an evil rising.”
Want to Learn More?
- 🎥 Sabaton History – Rise of Evil (Documentary) – The historical background of the song.
- 🎥 World War II Begins – Week by Week Documentary (YouTube) – How Hitler’s invasion of Poland started the war.
- 📖 Adolf Hitler (Wikipedia) – The man who led Germany into war.
- 📖 Treaty of Versailles (Wikipedia) – The treaty that crippled Germany.
- 📖 German rearmament (Wikipedia) – How Hitler secretly built his war machine.
- 📖 Kristallnacht (Wikipedia) – The beginning of the Holocaust.
The Lesson?
Some leaders bring prosperity. Others lead nations into ruin.
And in 1939, the world paid the price for ignoring the rise of evil.