Album: A Matter of Life and Death (2006)

License This Song 

• 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

More Songfacts:

Gangnam StylePsy

The K-pop hit "Gangnam Style" became the most-viewed video in YouTube history months after it was released in 2012, a title it held until "See You Again" by Wiz Khalifa overtook it in 2017.

Pink CadillacBruce Springsteen

"Pink Cadillac" was a B-side for Bruce Springsteen in 1984, but after Aretha Franklin sang about pink Cadillacs on "Freeway Of Love" the following year, Natalie Cole covered the song and had a hit with it in 1988.

Uptown GirlBilly Joel

Billy Joel's "Uptown Girl" is about Christie Brinkley, who he married, but it started as a song about Elle McPherson, who he also went out with.

Where It's AtBeck

Beck's "Where It's At" is a nod to the early years of hip-hop when DJs would use two turntables to loop drum breaks, and a microphone to hype the crowd ("two turntables and a microphone...").

AberdeenCage the Elephant

"Aberdeen" by Cage The Elephant is named after the birthplace of Kurt Cobain. It's in Grays Harbor County, Washington.

God Only KnowsThe Beach Boys

The most famous song to prominently feature a French horn is "God Only Knows" by The Beach Boys.

Editor's Picks

Zac HansonSongwriter Interviews

Zac tells the story of Hanson's massive hit "MMMbop," and talks about how brotherly bonds effect their music.

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

P.F. SloanSongwriter Interviews

P.F. was a teenager writing hits and playing on tracks for Jan & Dean when he wrote a #1 hit that got him blackballed.

N.W.A vs. the WorldSong Writing

How the American gangsta rappers made history by getting banned in the UK.

TV Theme SongsFact or Fiction

Was a Beatles song a TV theme? And who came up with those Fresh Prince and Sopranos songs?

Tom Keifer of CinderellaSongwriter Interviews

Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.