These Colours Don't Run

Album: A Matter of Life and Death (2006)
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  • It's the same in every country
    When you say you're leaving
    Left behind the loved ones
    Waiting silent in the hall
    Where you're going lies adventure
    Others only dream of
    Red and green light this is real
    And so you go to war

    For the passion, for the glory
    For the memories, for the money
    You're a soldier, for your country
    What's the difference? All the same

    Far away from the land of our birth
    We fly a flag in some foreign earth
    We sailed away like our fathers before
    These colors don't run from cold bloody war

    There is no one that will save you
    Going down in flames
    No surrender, certain death
    You look it in the eye
    On the shores of tyranny
    You crashed a human wave
    Paying for my freedom with your
    Lonely unmarked graves

    For the passion, for the glory
    For the memories, for the money
    You're a soldier, for your country
    What's the difference? All the same

    Far away from the land of our birth
    We fly a flag in some foreign earth
    We sailed away like our fathers before
    These colors don't run from cold bloody war

    Oh-oh, oh
    Oh-oh, oh-oh
    Oh-oh, oh
    Oh-oh, oh
    Oh-oh, oh
    Oh-oh, oh-oh
    Oh-oh, oh
    Oh-oh, oh

    Far away from the land of our birth
    We fly a flag in some foreign earth
    We sailed away like our fathers before
    These colors don't run, from cold bloody war

    Far away from the land of our birth
    We fly a flag in some foreign earth
    We sailed away like our fathers before
    These colors don't run from cold bloody war
    These colors don't run from cold bloody war Writer/s: Adrian Frederick Smith, Bruce Dickinson, Stephen Percy Harris
    Publisher: BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 4

  • Bonkie Bonkers from BelgiumMost members of Maiden live in America, they do run.
  • John from London, United KingdomIn my opinion the lyrics & meaning of the title refer to the traditions, professionalism & bravery of the British Army. The idea of the colour not running kind of dates back to the days when each regiment carried its colours into battle, with the not running aspect referring to not fleeing in the face of the enemy but rather holding the line & standing your ground.
    The lyrics seem to support the idea of late 1800’s wars of the British Empire with “flying a flag in some foreign earth” with “for the money the glory etc.” referring to the various reasons soldiers enlisted & fought. “Fighting far away from the land of their birth” & “sailing away like their fathers before” is very relevant to the far reach of British Empire campaigns such as those in Afghanistan & Africa & the fact that wars in these places often occurred multiple times in the same place, with years or decades/a generation between them.
    Also sighting the idea of “no one that’ll save you” “no surrender” due to “certain death you look in the eye” as usually no quarter was given by the native enemy (Zulu’s, Dervishes & Afghans). Furthermore units where sometimes engaged by waves of attacks by far larger numbers with no chance of reinforcements for days or even weeks & therefore fought the best they could with famous last stands occurred (Isandlwana, Maiwand). The surviving members of the regiment gathered around their colours fighting till the last man in what was pure butchery. But the colours (i.e. symbol of the unit, its men & country in this foreign land) don’t run from it.
    This is just my interpretation with many of the lyrics taken literally mainly as they fit so well, & also like Iron Maiden I am British. But this song could easily apply to most bloody wars as it’s the same in every country, but it is most certainly about military sacrifices, bravery & the reasons a man puts himself in that position.
    Great song
  • Caitlin from Colmesneil, TxYeah, I watched a vid of Ozzfest '05 someone had put up on You Tube, and I wondered about that after I remember that the album didn't come out until after the incident...
    I also learned something from that video... Sharon Osbourne is a b**** who needed a good kick up the butt... UP THE IRONS.
  • John from Moline, Iloh, i thought it meant like the blood of the soldiers, thats cool
see more comments

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