Me too. The Mercenary is pretty basic and Ghost works on so many levels.
The Eddie-as-a-Merc artwork is pretty cool, though
I've seen it written that the Mercenary has references to the film Predator, but I don't know how that fits with the title.
Iron Maiden lyrics tournament final: Empire of the Clouds rises above all
- Thread starter mckindog
- Start date
Me too. The Mercenary is pretty basic and Ghost works on so many levels.
The Eddie-as-a-Merc artwork is pretty cool, though
I've seen it written that the Mercenary has references to the film Predator, but I don't know how that fits with the title.
MrKnickerbocker
clap hands
Ghost over Mercenary, indeed.
Also, going with TCDR, though the decision isn't easy.
Exactly. I actually quite enjoy the lyrics to Shadows, but the message of TCDR is incredibly obvious, yet still very powerful. Shadows has better imagery, they both have good fit. The structure of TCDR is actually quite confusing: the verses and pre-chorus are clearly told from the perspective of someone watching someone else go to war and having many opinions and thoughts on it, while the chorus seems to be from the perspective of a soldier firsthand. I don't actually love the verses, but the chorus of TCDR is certainly one of Maiden's strongest lyrical efforts.
Also, going with TCDR, though the decision isn't easy.
Exactly. I actually quite enjoy the lyrics to Shadows, but the message of TCDR is incredibly obvious, yet still very powerful. Shadows has better imagery, they both have good fit. The structure of TCDR is actually quite confusing: the verses and pre-chorus are clearly told from the perspective of someone watching someone else go to war and having many opinions and thoughts on it, while the chorus seems to be from the perspective of a soldier firsthand. I don't actually love the verses, but the chorus of TCDR is certainly one of Maiden's strongest lyrical efforts.
Naty
Educated Fool
Ghost and TCDR.
I have the same opinion about Shadows. I love the lyrics but I don't fully understand them. I thought it was only me or maybe because english is not my first language. I would really enjoy reading someone's take on it. There's some people here who are really good at analysing this kind of lyrics.
I have the same opinion about Shadows. I love the lyrics but I don't fully understand them. I thought it was only me or maybe because english is not my first language. I would really enjoy reading someone's take on it. There's some people here who are really good at analysing this kind of lyrics.
JudasMyGuide
Ancient Mariner
I wouldn't know that I'd be good at analysing the lyrics and since I tend to bend the meanings to my own personal interpretation, regardless of the original writer's intention, I doubt that many here would agree with my analysis, but I voted for Ghost and Shadows. Though I agree that both TCDR and SOTV are very strong and the choice was not that easy.
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The best lyrics, IMO, are open to many interpretations. This thread is about sharing them.
I still don't have a firm handle on Shadows, but I did some googling.
Apparently ravens were were marked out as method of foretelling in ancient Celtic culture, but I'm sticking with the premise this song is based on biblical references.
Into the Valley of Death fear no evil is a reference to Psalm 23:4, which basically about how faith in God will carry people through the darkest depths of their lives.
The raven's call fits in the sense that Psalm 137 states "Consider the Ravens. They do not sow or reap; they have no storeroom or barn, yet God feeds them - another reference to faith.
The firstborn of all men will die - like in Exodus, except for the firstborn of the faithful Jews, who God protected.
The wayward child is the Prodigal son, one God loves despite his straying.
The opening section can easily be interpreted as being about faith - soulless, aimless nightmares grow in a world without sunlight (faith)
Look for guidance from the one who knows (God?) In the book that he wrote (the Bible?)
The chorus could be saying "be open, honest, free and faithful, mourn the fallen and you will outlast them."
The whole song could be all a metaphor for staying true to your guns, trust what you believe in and it will carry you through the dark times. Fits with what we know of Steve's character. Or Steve may have actually found Christian faith later in life.
JudasMyGuide
Ancient Mariner
First of all, mckindog, I have nearly nothing to add, you've summarised it quite nicely.
He's definitely been toying with it so far...
"He gave his life for us // He fell upon the cross // To die for all of those who never mourn his loss // It wasn't meant for us to feel the pain again..."
is a very strange lyric from a supposedly "secular" band.
So is "They'll be saying their prayers when the moment comes // There'll be penance to pay when it's judgement day // And the guilty'll bleed when the moment comes // They'll be coming to claim, take your soul away ... They'll be coming to bring the eternal flame // They'll be bringing us all immortality // Holding communion so the world be blessed // My creator my God'll lay my soul to rest..."
and, well... "God give me the answer to my life // God give me the answer to my dreams // God give me the answer to my prayers // God give me the answer to my being..."
Considering Janick is signed under SOTV and also under "Spirit holy life eternal // Raise me up take me home", I can also smell something there.
Then again, maybe not...
http://www.celebb.info/religion/janick-gers
https://tyrannyoftradition.com/2013...itarist-janick-gers-gers-claims-hes-not-dead/
He's definitely been toying with it so far...
"He gave his life for us // He fell upon the cross // To die for all of those who never mourn his loss // It wasn't meant for us to feel the pain again..."
is a very strange lyric from a supposedly "secular" band.
So is "They'll be saying their prayers when the moment comes // There'll be penance to pay when it's judgement day // And the guilty'll bleed when the moment comes // They'll be coming to claim, take your soul away ... They'll be coming to bring the eternal flame // They'll be bringing us all immortality // Holding communion so the world be blessed // My creator my God'll lay my soul to rest..."
and, well... "God give me the answer to my life // God give me the answer to my dreams // God give me the answer to my prayers // God give me the answer to my being..."
Considering Janick is signed under SOTV and also under "Spirit holy life eternal // Raise me up take me home", I can also smell something there.
Then again, maybe not...
http://www.celebb.info/religion/janick-gers
https://tyrannyoftradition.com/2013...itarist-janick-gers-gers-claims-hes-not-dead/
Ghost of the Navigator advances in a shutout (14-0). These Colours Don't Run (10-4) moves on as well.
Today's first new battle
THE TROOPER
versus
FEAR OF THE DARK
Today's first new battle
THE TROOPER
You'll take my life but I'll take yours too
You'll fire your musket but I'll run you through
So when you're waiting for the next attack
You'd better stand there's no turning back
The bugle sounds and the charge begins
But on this battlefield no one wins
The smell of acrid smoke and horses breath
As I plunge on into certain death
Ooooooooh! Ooooooooh!
The horse he sweats with fear we break to run
The mighty roar of the Russian guns
And as we race toward the human wall
The screams of pain as my comrades fall
We hurdle bodies that lay on the ground
And the Russians fire another round
We get so near yet so far away
We won't live to fight another day
Ooooooooh! Ooooooooh!
We get so close near enough to fight
When a Russian gets me in his sights
He pulls the trigger and I feel the blow
A burst of rounds take my horse below
And as I lay there gazing at the sky
My body's numb and my throat is dry
And as I lay forgotten and alone
Without a tear I draw my parting groan
Ooooooooh! Ooooooooh!
You'll fire your musket but I'll run you through
So when you're waiting for the next attack
You'd better stand there's no turning back
The bugle sounds and the charge begins
But on this battlefield no one wins
The smell of acrid smoke and horses breath
As I plunge on into certain death
Ooooooooh! Ooooooooh!
The horse he sweats with fear we break to run
The mighty roar of the Russian guns
And as we race toward the human wall
The screams of pain as my comrades fall
We hurdle bodies that lay on the ground
And the Russians fire another round
We get so near yet so far away
We won't live to fight another day
Ooooooooh! Ooooooooh!
We get so close near enough to fight
When a Russian gets me in his sights
He pulls the trigger and I feel the blow
A burst of rounds take my horse below
And as I lay there gazing at the sky
My body's numb and my throat is dry
And as I lay forgotten and alone
Without a tear I draw my parting groan
Ooooooooh! Ooooooooh!
versus
FEAR OF THE DARK
I am a man who walks alone
And when I'm walking a dark road
At night or strolling through the park
When the light begins to change
I sometimes feel a little strange
A little anxious when it's dark
Fear of the dark, fear of the dark
I have a constant fear that something's always near
Fear of the dark, fear of the dark
I have a phobia that someone's always there
Have you run your fingers down the wall
And have you felt your neck skin crawl
When you're searching for the light?
Sometimes when you're scared to take a look
At the corner of the room
You've sensed that something's watching you
Fear of the dark, fear of the dark
I have a constant fear that something's always near
Fear of the dark, fear of the dark
I have a phobia that someone's always there
Have you ever been alone at night
Thought you heard footsteps behind
And turned around and no-one's there?
And as you quicken up your pace
You find it hard to look again
Because you're sure there's someone there
Fear of the dark, fear of the dark
I have a constant fear that something's always near
Fear of the dark, fear of the dark
I have a phobia that someone's always there
Watching horror films the night before
Debating witches and folklore
The unknown troubles on your mind
Maybe your mind is playing tricks
You sense and suddenly eyes fix
On dancing shadows from behind
Fear of the dark, fear of the dark
I have a constant fear that something's always near
Fear of the dark, fear of the dark
I have a phobia that someone's always there
When I'm walking a dark road, I am a man who walks alone...
And when I'm walking a dark road
At night or strolling through the park
When the light begins to change
I sometimes feel a little strange
A little anxious when it's dark
Fear of the dark, fear of the dark
I have a constant fear that something's always near
Fear of the dark, fear of the dark
I have a phobia that someone's always there
Have you run your fingers down the wall
And have you felt your neck skin crawl
When you're searching for the light?
Sometimes when you're scared to take a look
At the corner of the room
You've sensed that something's watching you
Fear of the dark, fear of the dark
I have a constant fear that something's always near
Fear of the dark, fear of the dark
I have a phobia that someone's always there
Have you ever been alone at night
Thought you heard footsteps behind
And turned around and no-one's there?
And as you quicken up your pace
You find it hard to look again
Because you're sure there's someone there
Fear of the dark, fear of the dark
I have a constant fear that something's always near
Fear of the dark, fear of the dark
I have a phobia that someone's always there
Watching horror films the night before
Debating witches and folklore
The unknown troubles on your mind
Maybe your mind is playing tricks
You sense and suddenly eyes fix
On dancing shadows from behind
Fear of the dark, fear of the dark
I have a constant fear that something's always near
Fear of the dark, fear of the dark
I have a phobia that someone's always there
When I'm walking a dark road, I am a man who walks alone...
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And battle two:
RUN TO THE HILLS
versus
CAUGHT SOMEWHERE IN TIME
RUN TO THE HILLS
The white man came across the sea
He brought us pain and misery
He killed our tribes he killed our creed
He took our game for his own need
We fought him hard we fought him well
Out on the plains we gave him hell
But many came too much for Cree
Oh will we ever be set free?
Riding through dust clouds and barren wastes
Galloping hard on the plains
Chasing the redskins back to their holes
Fighting them at their own game
Murder for freedom the stab in the back
Women and children and cowards attack
Run to the hills, run for your lives
Run to the hills, run for your lives
Soldiers blue in the barren wastes
Hunting and killing's a game
Raping the women and wasting the men
The only good Indians are tame
Selling them whisky and taking their gold
Enslaving the young and destroying the old
Run to the hills, run for your lives
Run to the hills, run for your lives
He brought us pain and misery
He killed our tribes he killed our creed
He took our game for his own need
We fought him hard we fought him well
Out on the plains we gave him hell
But many came too much for Cree
Oh will we ever be set free?
Riding through dust clouds and barren wastes
Galloping hard on the plains
Chasing the redskins back to their holes
Fighting them at their own game
Murder for freedom the stab in the back
Women and children and cowards attack
Run to the hills, run for your lives
Run to the hills, run for your lives
Soldiers blue in the barren wastes
Hunting and killing's a game
Raping the women and wasting the men
The only good Indians are tame
Selling them whisky and taking their gold
Enslaving the young and destroying the old
Run to the hills, run for your lives
Run to the hills, run for your lives
versus
CAUGHT SOMEWHERE IN TIME
If you had the time to lose
An open mind and time to choose
Would you care to take a look
Or can you read me like a book
Time is always on my side
Time is always on my side
Can I tempt you come with me
Be Devil may care fulfill your dream
If I said I'd take you there
Would you go would you be scared
Time is always on my side
Time is always on my side
Don't be afraid you're safe with me
Safe as any soul can be... honestly
Just let yourself go
Caught somewhere in time
Caught somewhere in time
Caught somewhere in time... oh oh
Like a wolf in sheep's clothing
You try to hide your deepest sins
Of all the things that you've done wrong
And I know where you belong
Time is always on my side
Time is always on my side
Make you an offer you can't refuse
You've only got your soul to lose... eternally
Just let yourself go
Caught somewhere in time
Caught somewhere in time
Caught somewhere in time... oh oh
An open mind and time to choose
Would you care to take a look
Or can you read me like a book
Time is always on my side
Time is always on my side
Can I tempt you come with me
Be Devil may care fulfill your dream
If I said I'd take you there
Would you go would you be scared
Time is always on my side
Time is always on my side
Don't be afraid you're safe with me
Safe as any soul can be... honestly
Just let yourself go
Caught somewhere in time
Caught somewhere in time
Caught somewhere in time... oh oh
Like a wolf in sheep's clothing
You try to hide your deepest sins
Of all the things that you've done wrong
And I know where you belong
Time is always on my side
Time is always on my side
Make you an offer you can't refuse
You've only got your soul to lose... eternally
Just let yourself go
Caught somewhere in time
Caught somewhere in time
Caught somewhere in time... oh oh
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I'm kinda there too.
Caught is pretty obscure: some random being tempting some random guy, boasting that time is on his side.
Some sort of deal with the devil theme obviously, but I'm not sure how the Caught Somewere in Time part fits.
It's got a solid meter and decent images but doesn't really do anything with the music.
Hills has a better meter — very percussive beats: RIDing, RAPing, WASTing — better images and it fits with the music perfectly.
The words are galloping hard on the plains along with the music. The chorus lyrics are as dramatic as the melody.
No competition here at all for me.
Easy. The Trooper and Run To the Hills. Both lyrics that are effective for similar reasons. Great easy-to-visualize depictions of the events described. I love the changes of perspective in RTTH and this is one of Steve's better examples of writing lyrics that work well being sung.
MrKnickerbocker
clap hands
Trooper and RTTH, for the reasons already stated.
Decisive victories for The Trooper (17-3) and Run to the Hills (14-5)
The next battles are
TOTAL ECLIPSE
versus
SIGN OF THE CROSS
The next battles are
TOTAL ECLIPSE
Cold as steel the darkness waits its hour will come
A cry of fear from our children worshipping the sun
Mother Nature's black revenge on those who waste her life
War babies in the garden of Eden shall turn our ashes to ice
Sunrise is gone, freezing up the fires
Sunrise is gone, numbing our desires
Sunrise is gone, sunrise is gone
Around the world the people stop with terror-stricken eyes
A shadow cast upon them all to crush them like a fly
In the icy rain and whiplashed seas there's nowhere left to run
The hammer blows of winter fall like a hurricane
Sunrise is gone, freezing up the fires
Sunrise is gone, numbing all desires
Around the world the nations wait for some wise words from their leading light
You know it's not only madmen who listen to fools
"Is this the end?" the millions cried clutching their riches as they died
Those who survive must weather the storm
Gone are the days when man looked down
They've taken away his sacred crown
To be so free it took so long
It's not the journey's end it's just begun
A cry of fear from our children worshipping the sun
Mother Nature's black revenge on those who waste her life
War babies in the garden of Eden shall turn our ashes to ice
Sunrise is gone, freezing up the fires
Sunrise is gone, numbing our desires
Sunrise is gone, sunrise is gone
Around the world the people stop with terror-stricken eyes
A shadow cast upon them all to crush them like a fly
In the icy rain and whiplashed seas there's nowhere left to run
The hammer blows of winter fall like a hurricane
Sunrise is gone, freezing up the fires
Sunrise is gone, numbing all desires
Around the world the nations wait for some wise words from their leading light
You know it's not only madmen who listen to fools
"Is this the end?" the millions cried clutching their riches as they died
Those who survive must weather the storm
Gone are the days when man looked down
They've taken away his sacred crown
To be so free it took so long
It's not the journey's end it's just begun
versus
SIGN OF THE CROSS
Eleven saintly shrouded men, silhouettes stand against the sky
One in front with a cross held high, come to wash my sins away
Standing alone in the wind and rain
Feeling the fear that is growing
Sensing the change in the tide again
Brought by the storm that is brewing
Feel the anxiety hold off the fear
Some of the doubt in the things you believe
Now that your faith will be put to the test
Nothing to do but await what is coming
Why then is God still protecting me
Even when I don't deserve it
Though I am blessed with an inner strength
Some they would call it a penance
Why am I meant to face this alone
Asking the question time and again
Praying to God won't keep me alive
Inside my head feel the fear start to rise
They'll be saying their prayers when the moment comes
There'll be penance to pay when it's judgement day
And the guilty'll bleed when that moment comes
They'll be coming to claim take your soul away
The sign of the cross, the name of the rose
A fire in the sky, the sign of the cross
They'll be coming to bring the eternal flame
They'll be bringing us all immortality
Holding communion so the world be blessed
My creator, my God'll lay my soul to rest
The sign of the cross, the name of the rose
A fire in the sky, the sign of the cross
Lost the love of heaven above, chose the lust of the earth below
Eleven saintly shrouded men came to wash my sins away
One in front with a cross held high, come to wash my sins away
Standing alone in the wind and rain
Feeling the fear that is growing
Sensing the change in the tide again
Brought by the storm that is brewing
Feel the anxiety hold off the fear
Some of the doubt in the things you believe
Now that your faith will be put to the test
Nothing to do but await what is coming
Why then is God still protecting me
Even when I don't deserve it
Though I am blessed with an inner strength
Some they would call it a penance
Why am I meant to face this alone
Asking the question time and again
Praying to God won't keep me alive
Inside my head feel the fear start to rise
They'll be saying their prayers when the moment comes
There'll be penance to pay when it's judgement day
And the guilty'll bleed when that moment comes
They'll be coming to claim take your soul away
The sign of the cross, the name of the rose
A fire in the sky, the sign of the cross
They'll be coming to bring the eternal flame
They'll be bringing us all immortality
Holding communion so the world be blessed
My creator, my God'll lay my soul to rest
The sign of the cross, the name of the rose
A fire in the sky, the sign of the cross
Lost the love of heaven above, chose the lust of the earth below
Eleven saintly shrouded men came to wash my sins away
...and
KILLERS
versus
SATELLITE 15...THE FINAL FRONTIER
KILLERS
You walk through the subway his eyes burn a hole in your back
A footstep behind you he lunges prepared for attack
Scream for mercy he laughs as he's watching you bleed
Killer behind you his blood lust defies all his needs
My innocent victims are slaughtered with wrath and despise
The mocking religion of hatred that burns in the night
I have no one I'm bound to destroy all this greed
A voice inside me compelling to satisfy me
I can see what a knife's meant to be
And you'll never know how I came to foresee, see, see
My faith in believing is stronger than lifelines and ties
With the glimmer of metal my moment is ready to strike
Death call arises a scream breaks the still of the night
Another tomorrow remember to walk in the light
I have found you and now there is no place to run
Excitement shakes me oh God help me what have I done?
Ooh yeah I've done it again!
You walk through the subway his eyes burn a hole in your back
A footstep behind you he lunges prepared for attack
Scream for mercy he laughs as he's watching you bleed
Killer behind you his blood lust defies all his needs
Oooh look out I'm coming for you
Hahahahahah!
A footstep behind you he lunges prepared for attack
Scream for mercy he laughs as he's watching you bleed
Killer behind you his blood lust defies all his needs
My innocent victims are slaughtered with wrath and despise
The mocking religion of hatred that burns in the night
I have no one I'm bound to destroy all this greed
A voice inside me compelling to satisfy me
I can see what a knife's meant to be
And you'll never know how I came to foresee, see, see
My faith in believing is stronger than lifelines and ties
With the glimmer of metal my moment is ready to strike
Death call arises a scream breaks the still of the night
Another tomorrow remember to walk in the light
I have found you and now there is no place to run
Excitement shakes me oh God help me what have I done?
Ooh yeah I've done it again!
You walk through the subway his eyes burn a hole in your back
A footstep behind you he lunges prepared for attack
Scream for mercy he laughs as he's watching you bleed
Killer behind you his blood lust defies all his needs
Oooh look out I'm coming for you
Hahahahahah!
versus
SATELLITE 15...THE FINAL FRONTIER
I try to call the Earth's command, desperation in my voice
I'm drifting way off course now, with very little choice
The loneliness is hard to bear, I try to calm my fear
Just hoping any second now, some contact filters through
Desperate calls, signal back from Satellite
As my life flashes right in front of me
Try again, must get through
Hear me now, for I've very little time
Not much time, hear my call
Please get through
I am here...
I'm stranded in space, I'm lost without trace
I haven't a chance of getting away
Too close to the Sun, I surely will burn
Like Icarus before me or so legend goes
I think of my life, reliving my past
There's nothing but wait 'til my time comes
I've had a good life, I'd do it again
Maybe I'll come back some time afresh
For I have lived my life to the full
I have no regrets
But I wish I could talk to my family
To tell them one last goodbye
The final frontier
The final frontier
If I could survive to live one more time
I wouldn't be changing a thing at all
Done more in my life than some do in ten
I'd go back and do it all over again
For I have lived my life to the full
I have no regrets
But I wish I could talk to my family
To tell them one last goodbye
The final frontier
The final frontier
There isn't much time, must say my last rites
Nobody is here to read them to me
Must say my goodbyes, if only a time
A message to tell them in case they might find
For I have lived my life to the full
I have no regrets
But I wish I could talk to my family
To tell them one last goodbye
The final frontier
I'm drifting way off course now, with very little choice
The loneliness is hard to bear, I try to calm my fear
Just hoping any second now, some contact filters through
Desperate calls, signal back from Satellite
As my life flashes right in front of me
Try again, must get through
Hear me now, for I've very little time
Not much time, hear my call
Please get through
I am here...
I'm stranded in space, I'm lost without trace
I haven't a chance of getting away
Too close to the Sun, I surely will burn
Like Icarus before me or so legend goes
I think of my life, reliving my past
There's nothing but wait 'til my time comes
I've had a good life, I'd do it again
Maybe I'll come back some time afresh
For I have lived my life to the full
I have no regrets
But I wish I could talk to my family
To tell them one last goodbye
The final frontier
The final frontier
If I could survive to live one more time
I wouldn't be changing a thing at all
Done more in my life than some do in ten
I'd go back and do it all over again
For I have lived my life to the full
I have no regrets
But I wish I could talk to my family
To tell them one last goodbye
The final frontier
The final frontier
There isn't much time, must say my last rites
Nobody is here to read them to me
Must say my goodbyes, if only a time
A message to tell them in case they might find
For I have lived my life to the full
I have no regrets
But I wish I could talk to my family
To tell them one last goodbye
The final frontier
