Iron Maiden lyrics tournament final: Empire of the Clouds rises above all
- Thread starter mckindog
- Start date
MrKnickerbocker
clap hands
Still Life and DWYBO, for the reasons above.
I actually don't like the SOM lyrics all that much and The Legacy packs in a lot of pedestrian phrasing into what should be an epic lyric.
I actually don't like the SOM lyrics all that much and The Legacy packs in a lot of pedestrian phrasing into what should be an epic lyric.
The game has Piece of Mind
Still Life beats Sea of Madness (7-2), The Legacy falls to Die With Your Boots On (6-5)
Next up:
THE EVIL THAT MEN DO
versus
VIRUS
Still Life beats Sea of Madness (7-2), The Legacy falls to Die With Your Boots On (6-5)
Next up:
THE EVIL THAT MEN DO
Love is a razor and I walked the line on that silver blade
Slept in the dust with his daughter, her eyes red with the slaughter of innocence
But I will pray for her, I will call her name out loud
I would bleed for her, if I could only see her now
Living on a razor's edge, balancing on a ledge
Living on a razor's edge, balancing on a ledge
Balancing on a ledge, living on a razor's edge
Balancing on a ledge, you know, you know
The evil that men do lives on and on...
The evil that men do lives on and on...
Circle of fire my baptism of joy at an end it seems
The seventh lamb slain, the book of life opens before me
And I will pray for you, someday I may return
Don't you cry for me, beyond is where I learn
Living on a razor's edge, balancing on a ledge
Living on a razor's edge, you know, you know
The evil that men do lives on and on...
The evil that men do lives on and on...
Slept in the dust with his daughter, her eyes red with the slaughter of innocence
But I will pray for her, I will call her name out loud
I would bleed for her, if I could only see her now
Living on a razor's edge, balancing on a ledge
Living on a razor's edge, balancing on a ledge
Balancing on a ledge, living on a razor's edge
Balancing on a ledge, you know, you know
The evil that men do lives on and on...
The evil that men do lives on and on...
Circle of fire my baptism of joy at an end it seems
The seventh lamb slain, the book of life opens before me
And I will pray for you, someday I may return
Don't you cry for me, beyond is where I learn
Living on a razor's edge, balancing on a ledge
Living on a razor's edge, you know, you know
The evil that men do lives on and on...
The evil that men do lives on and on...
versus
VIRUS
There's an evil virus that's threatening mankind
Not state of the art, a serious state of the mind
The muggers, the backstabbers, the two faced elite
A menace to society, a social disease
Rape of the mind is a social disorder
The cynics, the apathy, one-upmanship order
Watching beginnings of social decay
Gloating or sneering at life's disarray
Eating away at your own self esteem
Pouncing on every word that you might be saying
Rape of the mind is a social disorder
The cynics, the apathy one-upmanship order
Superficially smiling a shake of the hand
As soon as the back is turned treachery is planned
Rape of the mind is a social disorder
The cynics, the apathy one-upmanship order
Watching beginnings of social decay
Gloating or sneering at life's disarray
When every good thing's laid to waste
By all the jealousy and hate
By all the acid wit and rapier lies
And every time you think you're safe
And when you go to turn away
You know they're sharpening all their paper knives
All in your mind
All in your head
Try to relate it
Without a conscience they destroy
And that's a thing that they enjoy
They're a sickness that's in all our minds
They want to sink the ship and leave
The way they laugh at you and me
You know it happens all the time
All in your mind
All in your head
Try to relate it
The rats in the cellar you know who you are
Not state of the art, a serious state of the mind
The muggers, the backstabbers, the two faced elite
A menace to society, a social disease
Rape of the mind is a social disorder
The cynics, the apathy, one-upmanship order
Watching beginnings of social decay
Gloating or sneering at life's disarray
Eating away at your own self esteem
Pouncing on every word that you might be saying
Rape of the mind is a social disorder
The cynics, the apathy one-upmanship order
Superficially smiling a shake of the hand
As soon as the back is turned treachery is planned
Rape of the mind is a social disorder
The cynics, the apathy one-upmanship order
Watching beginnings of social decay
Gloating or sneering at life's disarray
When every good thing's laid to waste
By all the jealousy and hate
By all the acid wit and rapier lies
And every time you think you're safe
And when you go to turn away
You know they're sharpening all their paper knives
All in your mind
All in your head
Try to relate it
Without a conscience they destroy
And that's a thing that they enjoy
They're a sickness that's in all our minds
They want to sink the ship and leave
The way they laugh at you and me
You know it happens all the time
All in your mind
All in your head
Try to relate it
The rats in the cellar you know who you are
Last edited:
and
COMING HOME
versus
THE WICKERMAN
COMING HOME
When I stand before you shining in the early morning sun
When I feel the engines roar and I think of what we've done
Oh the bittersweet reflection as we kiss the earth goodbye
As the waves and echoes of the towns become the ghosts of time
Over borders that divide the earthbound tribes
No creed and no religion, just a hundred winged souls
We will ride this thunderbird, silver shadows on the earth
A thousand leagues away our land of birth
To Albion's land...
Coming home
When I see the runway lights in the misty dawn
The night is fading fast
Coming home, far away
As the vapor trails alight, where I've been tonight
You know I will not stay
Curving on the edge of daylight 'til it slips into the void
Waited in the long night, dreaming 'til the sun is born again
Stretched the fingers of my hand, covered countries with my span
Just a lonely satellite, speck of dust and cosmic sand
Over borders that divide the earthbound tribes
Flown the dark Atlantic over mariners' stormy graves
We will ride this thunderbird, silver shadows on the earth
A thousand leagues away our land of birth
To Albion's land...
Coming home
When I see the runway lights in the misty dawn
The night is fading fast
Coming home, far away
As the vapor trails alight, where I've been tonight
You know I will not stay
When I feel the engines roar and I think of what we've done
Oh the bittersweet reflection as we kiss the earth goodbye
As the waves and echoes of the towns become the ghosts of time
Over borders that divide the earthbound tribes
No creed and no religion, just a hundred winged souls
We will ride this thunderbird, silver shadows on the earth
A thousand leagues away our land of birth
To Albion's land...
Coming home
When I see the runway lights in the misty dawn
The night is fading fast
Coming home, far away
As the vapor trails alight, where I've been tonight
You know I will not stay
Curving on the edge of daylight 'til it slips into the void
Waited in the long night, dreaming 'til the sun is born again
Stretched the fingers of my hand, covered countries with my span
Just a lonely satellite, speck of dust and cosmic sand
Over borders that divide the earthbound tribes
Flown the dark Atlantic over mariners' stormy graves
We will ride this thunderbird, silver shadows on the earth
A thousand leagues away our land of birth
To Albion's land...
Coming home
When I see the runway lights in the misty dawn
The night is fading fast
Coming home, far away
As the vapor trails alight, where I've been tonight
You know I will not stay
versus
THE WICKERMAN
Hand of fate is moving and the finger points to you
He knocks you to your feet and so what are you gonna do
Your tongue has frozen now you've got something to say
The piper at the gates of dawn is calling you his way
You watch the world exploding every single night
Dancing in the sun a newborn in the light
Say goodbye to gravity and say goodbye to death
Hello to eternity and live for every breath
Your time will come, your time will come
Your time will come, your time will come
The ferryman wants his money you ain't going to give it back
He can push his own boat as you set up off the track
Nothing you can contemplate will ever be the same
Every second is a new spark, sets the universe aflame
You watch the world exploding every single night
Dancing in the sun a newborn in the light
Brothers and their fathers joining hands and make a chain
The shadow of the Wicker Man is rising up again
Your time will come, your time will come
Your time will come, your time will come
He knocks you to your feet and so what are you gonna do
Your tongue has frozen now you've got something to say
The piper at the gates of dawn is calling you his way
You watch the world exploding every single night
Dancing in the sun a newborn in the light
Say goodbye to gravity and say goodbye to death
Hello to eternity and live for every breath
Your time will come, your time will come
Your time will come, your time will come
The ferryman wants his money you ain't going to give it back
He can push his own boat as you set up off the track
Nothing you can contemplate will ever be the same
Every second is a new spark, sets the universe aflame
You watch the world exploding every single night
Dancing in the sun a newborn in the light
Brothers and their fathers joining hands and make a chain
The shadow of the Wicker Man is rising up again
Your time will come, your time will come
Your time will come, your time will come
Last edited:
MrKnickerbocker
clap hands
The Evil That Men Do. Despite the repetitive pre-choruses, I honestly think the two verses are amazing. Really great flow, imagery, fit, and tone.
Also,
A beautiful piece of songwriting that manages to transcend the boundaries and lame expectations of "road songs."
Seriously, @mckindog deserves a medal for the deep cut artwork he continues to find for every matchup. I look forward to seeing the art in every round as much as I do the lyrics.
Also,
A beautiful piece of songwriting that manages to transcend the boundaries and lame expectations of "road songs."
Seriously, @mckindog deserves a medal for the deep cut artwork he continues to find for every matchup. I look forward to seeing the art in every round as much as I do the lyrics.
Evil and Wicker.
I'm afraid I've never been able to get along with Coming Home. I still visualise Bruce itching to find a way to express his personal love of aviation in a work that touches on life's journey, putting the lives of individuals and the world's petty squabbles into perspective. I'm not sure that particular cocktail works.
The Wicker Man I like lots, for its uplifting and cocky Maiden-back-with-a-bang stance. I especially like the potential dual meaning of the line 'your time will come' - promise or threat?
I'm afraid I've never been able to get along with Coming Home. I still visualise Bruce itching to find a way to express his personal love of aviation in a work that touches on life's journey, putting the lives of individuals and the world's petty squabbles into perspective. I'm not sure that particular cocktail works.
The Wicker Man I like lots, for its uplifting and cocky Maiden-back-with-a-bang stance. I especially like the potential dual meaning of the line 'your time will come' - promise or threat?
Lampwick 43
Barstool Warrior
Voting for Evil and Wicker Man, Although I wouldn't consider any one of these four songs among Maiden's best lyrics.
I trip over how the Wicker Man fits into the overall message, but agree completely with this.
It, perhaps more than any other Maiden song, makes a statement about the band, and one that was perfectly timed.
Sad about the lack of love for Virus. One of my favourite lyrics.
frus
Barbed Wire Hen
What about the potential dual meaning of lines:
"Coming home, far away
As the vapor trails align
Where I've been tonight, you know I will not stay"
It's evidently about someone spraying chemtrails
Of course he wouldn't stay there after what he's done
"When I feel the engines roar and I think of what we've done"
I'm sure Travis (at least) would agree with me
My god. You're onto something there.
You mean where the symbolism fits in? I assumed it was just alluding to a general kind of grass roots uprising, like a resurgence of folk beliefs or a folk consciousness, giving the bird to institutions who thought they'd subjugated them centuries ago. It's all about an individual or individuals - maybe the young - seizing opportunity and not giving a toss for petty critics. I've always taken it as a big punch of positivity to launch a resurgence of the band itself in addition to the first reunion album.
I think they tried to repeat this formula on Dance of Death, AMOLAD and Final Frontier, with varying degrees of success. I'm so glad they took a different approach on The Book of Souls and used a fresh, and original approach for the opening track. Eternity really stands out in this respect.
Forostar
Ancient Mariner
It's the nineties my friend.
Men do Evil to Virus (11-3) and Coming Home lights the Wicker Man (9-6)
Next up:
THE REINCARNATION OF BENJAMIN BREEG
versus
STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND
Next up:
THE REINCARNATION OF BENJAMIN BREEG
Let me tell you about my life
Let me tell you about my dreams
Let me tell you about the things that happen
Always real to me
Let me tell you of my hope
Of my need to reach the sky
Let me take you on an awkward journey
Let me tell you why
Let me tell you why...
Why should these curses be laid upon me
I won't be forgiven 'til I can break free
What did I do to deserve all this guilt
Pay for my sins with the sale of my soul
Demons are trapped all inside of my head
My hopes are gone, reach for heaven from hell
My sins are many, my guilt is too heavy
The pressure of knowing, of hiding what I know
I'm able to see things, things I don't want to see
The lives of a thousand souls weigh heavy down on me
I know they're crying for help, reaching out
The burden of them will take me down as well
The sin of a thousand souls not died in vain
Reincarnate, still in me live again
Someone to save me
Something to save me from myself
To bring salvation
To exorcise this hell
Someone to save me
Something to save me from myself
To bring salvation
To exorcise this hell
Let me tell you about my dreams
Let me tell you about the things that happen
Always real to me
Let me tell you of my hope
Of my need to reach the sky
Let me take you on an awkward journey
Let me tell you why
Let me tell you why...
Why should these curses be laid upon me
I won't be forgiven 'til I can break free
What did I do to deserve all this guilt
Pay for my sins with the sale of my soul
Demons are trapped all inside of my head
My hopes are gone, reach for heaven from hell
My sins are many, my guilt is too heavy
The pressure of knowing, of hiding what I know
I'm able to see things, things I don't want to see
The lives of a thousand souls weigh heavy down on me
I know they're crying for help, reaching out
The burden of them will take me down as well
The sin of a thousand souls not died in vain
Reincarnate, still in me live again
Someone to save me
Something to save me from myself
To bring salvation
To exorcise this hell
Someone to save me
Something to save me from myself
To bring salvation
To exorcise this hell
versus
STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND
Was many years ago that I left home and came this way
I was a young man full of hopes and dreams
But now it seems that all is lost and nothing gained
Sometimes things ain't what they seem
No brave new world, no brave new world
No brave new world, no brave new world
Night and day I scan horizon, sea and sky
My spirit wanders endlessly
Until the day will dawn and friends from home discover why
Hear me calling, rescue me
Set me free, set me free
Lost in this place and leave no trace
Stranger in a strange land, land of ice and snow
Trapped here in this prison, lost and far from home
One hundred years have gone and men again they came that way
To find the answer to the mystery
They found his body lying where it fell that day
Preserved in time for all to see
No brave new world, no brave new world
Lost in this place and leave no trace
Stranger in a strange land, land of ice and snow
Trapped here in this prison, lost and far from home
What became of the men that started
all are gone and their souls departed
Left me here in this place so all alone
Stranger in a strange land, land of ice and snow
Trapped here in this prison, lost and far from home
Stranger in a strange land, land of ice and snow
Trapped here in this prison, lost and far from home
I was a young man full of hopes and dreams
But now it seems that all is lost and nothing gained
Sometimes things ain't what they seem
No brave new world, no brave new world
No brave new world, no brave new world
Night and day I scan horizon, sea and sky
My spirit wanders endlessly
Until the day will dawn and friends from home discover why
Hear me calling, rescue me
Set me free, set me free
Lost in this place and leave no trace
Stranger in a strange land, land of ice and snow
Trapped here in this prison, lost and far from home
One hundred years have gone and men again they came that way
To find the answer to the mystery
They found his body lying where it fell that day
Preserved in time for all to see
No brave new world, no brave new world
Lost in this place and leave no trace
Stranger in a strange land, land of ice and snow
Trapped here in this prison, lost and far from home
What became of the men that started
all are gone and their souls departed
Left me here in this place so all alone
Stranger in a strange land, land of ice and snow
Trapped here in this prison, lost and far from home
Stranger in a strange land, land of ice and snow
Trapped here in this prison, lost and far from home
and
THE AFTERMATH
versus
NUMBER OF THE BEAST
THE AFTERMATH
Silently to silence fall in the fields of futile war
Toys of death are spitting lead where boys that were our soldiers bled
War horse and war machine curse the name of liberty
Marching on as if they should mix in the dirt our brothers' blood
In the mud and rain, what are we fighting for?
Is it worth the pain, it is worth dying for?
Who will take the blame, why did they make a war?
Questions that come again, should we be fighting at all?
Once a ploughman hitched his team here he sowed his little dream
Now bodies arms and legs are strewn where mustard gas and barb wire bloom
Each moment's like a year I've nothing left inside for tears
Comrades dead or dying lie I'm left alone asking why
In the mud and rain, what are we fighting for?
Is it worth the pain, it is worth dying for?
Who will take the blame, why did they make a war?
Questions that come again, should we be fighting at all?
After the war, left feeling no one has won
After the war, what does a soldier become?
After the war, left feeling no one has won
After the war, what does a soldier become?
What is at home when the battles are done?
After the war and when no one has won
I'm just a soldier
After the war, left feeling no one has won
After the war, what does a soldier become?
After the war, left feeling no one has won
After the war, what does a soldier become?
Toys of death are spitting lead where boys that were our soldiers bled
War horse and war machine curse the name of liberty
Marching on as if they should mix in the dirt our brothers' blood
In the mud and rain, what are we fighting for?
Is it worth the pain, it is worth dying for?
Who will take the blame, why did they make a war?
Questions that come again, should we be fighting at all?
Once a ploughman hitched his team here he sowed his little dream
Now bodies arms and legs are strewn where mustard gas and barb wire bloom
Each moment's like a year I've nothing left inside for tears
Comrades dead or dying lie I'm left alone asking why
In the mud and rain, what are we fighting for?
Is it worth the pain, it is worth dying for?
Who will take the blame, why did they make a war?
Questions that come again, should we be fighting at all?
After the war, left feeling no one has won
After the war, what does a soldier become?
After the war, left feeling no one has won
After the war, what does a soldier become?
What is at home when the battles are done?
After the war and when no one has won
I'm just a soldier
After the war, left feeling no one has won
After the war, what does a soldier become?
After the war, left feeling no one has won
After the war, what does a soldier become?
versus
NUMBER OF THE BEAST
Woe to you, oh Earth and Sea,
for the Devil sends the beast with wrath,
because he knows the time is short...
Let him who hath understanding reckon the number of the beast
for it is a human number, its number is Six hundred and sixty six.
– Revelations
I left alone, my mind was blank
I needed time to think, to get the memories from my mind
What did I see? Can I believe
That what I saw that night was real and not just fantasy
Just what I saw in my old dreams
Were they reflections of my warped mind staring back at me
'Cause in my dreams it's always there
The evil face that twists my mind and brings me to despair
Night was black, was no use holding back
'Cause I just had to see was someone watching me
In the mist dark figures move and twist
Was this all for real or just some kind of hell?
Six six six – the Number of the Beast
Hell and fire was spawned to be released
Torches blazed and sacred chants were praised
As they start to cry hands held to the sky
In the night the fires burning bright
The ritual has begun Satan's work is done
Six six six – the Number of the Beast
Sacrifice is going on tonight
This can't go on I must inform the law
Can this still be real or some crazy dream?
But I feel drawn toward the evil chanting hordes
Seem to mesmerize me, can't avoid their eyes
Six six six – the Number of the Beast
Six six six – the one for you and me
I'm coming back, I will return
And I'll possess your body and I'll make you burn
I have the fire, I have the force
I have the power to make my evil take its course
for the Devil sends the beast with wrath,
because he knows the time is short...
Let him who hath understanding reckon the number of the beast
for it is a human number, its number is Six hundred and sixty six.
– Revelations
I left alone, my mind was blank
I needed time to think, to get the memories from my mind
What did I see? Can I believe
That what I saw that night was real and not just fantasy
Just what I saw in my old dreams
Were they reflections of my warped mind staring back at me
'Cause in my dreams it's always there
The evil face that twists my mind and brings me to despair
Night was black, was no use holding back
'Cause I just had to see was someone watching me
In the mist dark figures move and twist
Was this all for real or just some kind of hell?
Six six six – the Number of the Beast
Hell and fire was spawned to be released
Torches blazed and sacred chants were praised
As they start to cry hands held to the sky
In the night the fires burning bright
The ritual has begun Satan's work is done
Six six six – the Number of the Beast
Sacrifice is going on tonight
This can't go on I must inform the law
Can this still be real or some crazy dream?
But I feel drawn toward the evil chanting hordes
Seem to mesmerize me, can't avoid their eyes
Six six six – the Number of the Beast
Six six six – the one for you and me
I'm coming back, I will return
And I'll possess your body and I'll make you burn
I have the fire, I have the force
I have the power to make my evil take its course
God no. No Minions. Not here.
The Flash
Dennis Wilcock did 9/11
Though I voted for Stranger, I do appreciate the way verses fit the music on Breeg. Not the intro verses, I mean the lyrics that start with "Why should these curses be laid upon me".
Also, "To bring salvation, to exorcise this hell" is a very cool lyric. Could be Bruce's delivery that makes it so great, though.
Also, "To bring salvation, to exorcise this hell" is a very cool lyric. Could be Bruce's delivery that makes it so great, though.