Immigrant Song

Album: Led Zeppelin III (1970)
Charted: 16
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  • Ah-ah, ah
    Ah-ah, ah

    We come from the land of the ice and snow
    From the midnight sun where the hot springs flow

    The hammer of the gods
    Will drive our ships to new lands
    To fight the horde and sing and cry
    Valhalla, I am coming

    On we sweep with threshing oar
    Our only goal will be the western shore

    Ah-ah, ah
    Ah-ah, ah

    We come from the land of the ice and snow
    From the midnight sun where the hot springs flow

    How soft your fields so green
    Can whisper tales of gore
    Of how we calmed the tides of war
    We are your overlords

    On we sweep with threshing oar
    Our only goal will be the western shore

    So now you'd better stop
    And rebuild all your ruins
    For peace and trust can win the day
    Despite of all your losing

    Ooh ooh ooh, ooh ooh ooh
    Ahh ah, ooh ooh ooh
    Ooh ooh ooh, ooh ooh ooh Writer/s: Jimmy Page, Robert Plant
    Publisher: Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 143

  • Lou from TexasIn 2011, The Immigrant Song featured in the movie opening scene of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo The words to the entire song are on the screen. It is an awesome movie.
  • Terri Spence from Tennessee UsaTHE REAL QUESTION: Is it just me or does the majority of the population of this planet over analyze the sh*t out of everything these days & complain?!?!? If you like it, awesome, listen to it. If you don't like it, cool, don't listen to it. Arguments solved! Seriously, when you get down to it, what d*mn difference does it make? Is it life or death that you are right in making your point? Who cares? NO ONE?
    Zeppelin Rocks. Have A Kicka$$ Day!
  • Michaerl Treadwell from Or - OregonSo many below have this song wrong and , a few, on track. The song was written on a return trip from Iceland, where Zeppelin had just played. Hence, the lyric coming for your western shores. But there is the double meaning. The song is referring to the Viking conquest of England. But the Vikings came from the east and never quite conquered the western shores, which remained Anglo and Welsh. We are your overlords refers to the Danelaw.
  • Bruce from Wellington, New ZealandLove this song but I always thought thought the lyrics were "Valhalla I am coming to you". All these years being wrong.
  • Gunnar from Siglufjörður, IcelandAs someone who was born and raised in Iceland, i like that the world doesn’t forget we exist. Also of monsters and men is the only music we’re usually known for so this makes me happy.

    Also wabbajack of Pluto, most Scandinavians like myself dont worship the Norse gods. The Vikings weren’t any better than the Christian’s by any means. They were arguably worse. My family has an axe owned by one of my ancestors that supposedly was used to castrate a village of anglos. And we honestly did little to slow the spread of Christianity. There’s a Christian church just down the street from me

    To Niläts Hieronanonymoüs
    Your comment, for a fair amount of sentences, is incoherent dumb s--t. The bit where you go on and on about death in war. The bit about firebombing and starvation is a strategy that had to be taken for victory. The Germans tried to do that to the British and Russians as well but you seem to have left that out for some reason. The Allies had to break the will of the German people to break Hitler himself. It’s awful but that’s just how warfare is. Maybe before you make a claim, do some research.

    And John white
    Who pissed in your porridge?
  • Eri from TexasSince the very first time I started paying attention to the lyrics, I always and still referred it and related it to the a European conquest of North America not stopping until they made it to the Pacific Ocean first conquering the native Americans lands.
  • Joe From Ny from NyI've never felt the need to comment before but now I must.
    John White - People like yourself suck the fun out of life. Must everything be viewed through a politically correct lens? Run to the Hills by Iron Maiden was about the plight of the American Indian, did Maiden "fail humanity" by singing about it?
  • Joey from TejasThere are a lot well thought out theories here. Many intelligent people who spent a lot of time researching so they can better interpret the lyrics. But, out of all the comments, my favorite take on this song is from the guy from Tokyo who thinks the song is about Tarzan because of the "AhAhhhhhhh Ahh!", at the beginning. You, Sir, have made my day. Thank you.
  • The Wabbajack from PlutoRobert Plant was fond of mythology, Jimmy Page was into magick and the occult. The Vikings went out raiding as a retaliation to the Christian conquest of Europe in order to preserve their ways... And the Christian conquest was not peaceful...it was convert or die. The Christians were the true barbarians. I feel in order to understand some of Led Zeppelins lyrics better you have to study paganism, especially Celtic and Norse paganism, and perhaps become one yourself; Robert Plant and Jimmy Page most likely are... If the Vikings hadn’t done what they did we would all have Abraham’s dirty stick shoved WAY deeper into our no no holes (and yes, it is in everyone’s no no hole a little bit... it’s the cornerstone of our “functioning” society... the prevailing form of worship being atheism and science). May Mjölnir drive your ships to greener lands \m/
  • Lucas from EarthI’m sorry to be rude, but sometimes people are so stupid it makes it really hard...
    John White, was the final stanza of the song about peace and trust winning in the end not literal enough for you? I’m glad you care about humanity, please help us all by refraining from reproducing any more than you already have, thanks.
  • Melissa from OhioIt’s just a great song. Period. John White, groups of people all over the world conquered land barbarically over centuries, or ever since the dawn of time. Nothing new. This song tells a story about one such group of people, I wouldn’t call it glorifying. If you study the Vikings at all you’ll learn that they were farmers and traders first and foremost. To say Jimmy and Robert “have failed humanity” over writing one song about people that existed centuries ago is extreme. You’re right to say your viewpoint may be unpopular.
  • John White from AustraliaThis may be an unpopular viewpoint but I believe it to be entirely valid. If you study the lyrics of this song objectively you realize this song is in truth a glorification of barbarism. Soft green fields filled with gore .. bloodshed. This song sells barbarism as exciting. There is nothing exciting about rape and slaughter. Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, the co-creators of this song, have failed humanity .. they have dressed barbarism as glory, utilizing a catchy riff to take people not to but away from their humanity. Music should only be used to serve mankind, not glory those who do not.
  • Kurt from SeattleAnyone else hear "...IS the western shore" instead of "...BE the western shore"? I swear it sounds like he is saying "IS". So what would be the word before that have to be?
  • Seventhmist from 7th HeavenThe "Ahh-ahh-AHHHHHHH-AHH!" wail always brought "Bali Ha'i" (from the musical "South Pacific") to mind.
  • John O Brien from Whitehaven Cumbria Englandglam band sweet have a song called burning which is very similar
  • Niläts Hieronanonymoüs from Mcmurdo Antarktische Great article, love to have that confirmed for people who don’t realize that there was zero such thing as “D&D” when Zeppelin toured, hahahaha.
    A couple notes on some persistently confused folks in the thread:
    Kayla the S.J.W. from London is it? And Mickey from Va? I’ll have to start with Mickey since he’s the easiest to understand: Brah, it is NOT “reading something into the lyrics” to take them quite literally as what the words SAY. One doesn’t “drive” nuclear powered ships ashore onto “NEW LANDS”, the VIKINGS DID. Further, believing what a ROADIE SAYS, over the BAND ITSELF, is almost as dumb as believing that it’s reading into something to take the words literally. Yes he COULDVE been referring poetically to a modern attack, but if so, it WOULDVE BEEN WWII, and the planned Operation SEA LION and the Germans being that they are literally Nordic and worshipped Thor et al as well.
    FURTHERMORE as they’re big Luciferianfags, (Page is a HUGE Thelemist and Plant was into Crowley - and please don’t try to tell me that Thelema is “good” “white magic”, only a completely brainwashed ignorant twat believes that, and it requires minimal debunking I’m not even going to bother- point being): the poetic reference would’ve been a play on that invasion Sea Lion never happening and he says “We are your Overlords” which COULD refer to Operation Overlord (known by those less aware of History as “D-Day”, and I’m not assuming you don’t know history your obviously quite smart except for your insistence this song is about Nam, which doesn’t make you stupid just a tad silly and fun to poke at), began on the 6th Day of the 6th month at the 6th Hour, and was planned by Churchill (the biggest phony in the world and linked to Crowley, and also a Kabbalistic Luciferian Mason) along with his fellow American Luciferian pos masons - Eisenhower and FDR. Churchill not only also starved German Women and Children CIVILIANS when First Lord of the Admiralty, but he helped Rothschild and Wall Street Zionists sneak the fake communists including Rothschilds cousin “Karl Marx” who only wrote his fake manifesto because he was COMMISSIONED BY ROTHSCHILD TO DO SO [he also funded the communist bund]. Eisenhower and he pushed for the firebombing of German cities that was as bad as tactical nukes. Then after the war they decided to starve almost two million German POWs to death in the POw camps. Satanic? Absolutely. So do I think he referred to Overlord and Satanism? Yes. What’s the song about at face value? Berzerking Viking invaders.
    Lovely Snoflakey “Don’t Call Canada America or some of us may get a wee po’d” Kayla... Ummmmmm...... ?
    Whom are we offended for now? The “original” natives? Canadians? The French? The English and Scottish colonists? Or are you referring to her as something that “belongs” to the “United Kingdom” as opposed to the United States???
    Here’s a newsflash, everything East of Hawaii and West of Greenland is referred to as the “AMERICAS”. From the tippy toppiest north Canadian polar glaciers reaching their icy fingers towards the pole and Siberia, down to the big and little toes of Tierra Del Fuego, Argentina. North, and South AMERICA. Everyone who lives on either continent is an American of one brand or the other, and has been since Columbus and the rest of the Spanish explorers and Conquistadors began to colonize and conquer them both.
  • Rick from Fargo, NdThe Minnesota Vikings use this song a lot since they moved into their new stadium in 2016. It is a fan favorite and really fires up the crowd.
  • Kawa from Tokyo, JapanTo Patti,
    Thank you for letting me know the info below. I appreciate it.
    Thanks again !
  • Patti from MichiganTo Kawa - The mention of the Hammer of the gods refers to Norse mythology. Led Zeppelin was in Iceland at the time this song was written. As far as the yell at the beginning of the song, Robert is famous for his yells in not just this song, but others as well. It's a trademark. Not sure it has to do with Tarzan, since Tarzan's yell is almost more like a yodel. Read the songfacts. There's more info. :)
  • Chris from AlbuquerqueTo "A" in Buenos Aires: If you listen to the lyrics of Stairway To Heaven, Plant references Tolkien. But it almost sounds like gibberish. I think either he never read even the Cliffs Notes, or else he was so high when he wrote the song that when he came down he wondered what he was thinking. Same thing for Immigrant Song. There probably isn't a correct version. It's the sound that matters most with Led and the Boys. Their lyrics usually can't stand up to a third grade English teacher. Order the sheet music-it's got the lyrics. I've got a music book with their songs, but it's buried in the garage.
  • Kawa from Tokyo, JapanHi Music lovers,

    I think that the lyrics of the song came from the American TV drama series called 'Tarzan' in 1960s. Because the singer of the band, Robert, shouts like Tarzan 'Ah-ah, ah! Ah-ah, ah !' as a intro, before he sings. It reminds me of 'Tazan', American TV drama series in 60s. It was on the air 1960s in Japan, too. I remember that when I was a small child. Also there is phrase on that song that seems to show this TV drama. That's a phrase like 'The hammer of the gods'. The hammer! What does that mean? Why was this word like 'hammer' written as a lyrics? I think Robert liked this TV drama and wrote this lyrics and shout, 'Ah-ah, ah! Ah-ah, ah!.
    PS, I don't know he wanted to become a hero like Tazan.
  • Cyberpope from Richmond, CanadaThat's a great songfact re Jack Black's getting performance permission for his movie!
  • Michael from San Diego, CaThis song sounds like the Norman invasion of Anglo-Saxon England when the Plantagenets married into the Edward house of Wessex right after the battle of Hastings at Hadrian's Wall!
  • A from Buenos Aires, ArgentinaI have a doubt about Immigrant song, in many transcriptions of the lyrics I found "for peace and trust can win the day despite of all your losing" but it doesn't make much sense grammatically, is "your losing" or "you're losing" ? I want to get a tattoo with that phrase, which is the right one?
  • Anna from Seattle, WaTo Hannah from Norway: Maybe where you're from isn't the destination, but rather the origin. (My family is from just south of Trondheim) The Vikings who invaded England, Ireland & settled Iceland, Normandy, etc...were from Western Norway & Denmark, while the Swedish and Eastern Norwegian Vikings went a-viking thru Russia & the Ukraine to trade w/the middle East, I believe.
    What confuses me about the Viking theory is mentioning the "Western Shore". And having it out w/the natives. Both only fit England. All the other locales have eastern shores facing Norway plus Iceland did not present the Norsemen w/a population resisting them settling there. Personally I don't beieve all the Zep songs are about the LOTR (I could be very wrong tho) but these are issue w/the Viking theory.

    But I do see Viking references in many of their songs. Could their Iclandic trip have inspired them to write about the Viking attacks in Western Britain? Reportedly Page lived in a cottage for a while that sat on the scene of past Viking raid & he liked to get up in the early morning & imagine that happening.
  • Dude from London, United KingdomHere is video of this song, its fan made and its from Zeppelins movie "The Song Remains The Same"

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbuKwHW7bpo
  • Nick from Ft.lewis, WaNirvana often covered "immigrant song" during their early days of touring during the late 80's. There is video footage of Nirvana playing a crude cover in Krist Novoselic's living room on the With the lights out box set.
  • Ivar from Reykjavik, IcelandI regret being born after they performed in Iceland. Phenomenal song.
  • Rick from Belfast, Meback in the late 60's and early 70's, our local radio station.....AM....used to have an all request show 6:30-9:00 pm each night. The 45's they played back then were "delightful" to listen to....and The Immigrant song was played almost every nite
  • Patrick from Perth, AustraliaAwsome song love the guitar riff !!!!!!!!! Its about viking because come on only the norse have valhalla
  • Nick from Seattle, Albaniai dont like the studio version that much, its all about the "how the west was won" version. its so much stronger with that epic solo!!!
  • Martha from Long Beach, CaAll I know is that when Immigrant Song plays, I am filled with energy. I can feel the intense anticipation of war the Vikings must have felt. The wild ocean and freezing cold. I just love the bass guitar. I just love it. The repeating rhythm. It's hypnotic.
  • D from Chicago, IlRagnar, so you're spot on with the translation and off with the mythology. You need to reread both the Eddas.
  • Oldpink from New Castle, InYep, it rocks, alright, and it was cool that Jack Black went to such effort to convince Zeppelin to allow them to use it in "School of Rock."
    I really don't much mind when classic rock is used in movies, commercials, and (yes) Guitar Hero/Rockband, since that introduces the younger generation to REAL music.
    In fact, I can largely credit Guitar Hero for my daughter's current interest in classic rock.
  • N.i. from Baltimore, MdI always thought this sounded like the theme from "Get Smart."
  • Ragnar from Dubuque, IaI agree with Agusta from Iceland and a couple other people on this little comment page. This nonsense about the Mongol horde is exactly that. This song is about Viking Expansion from the perspective of a Norseman. And someone said something about Valhalla being a hall where "no human soul ever strolled"? That is mindlessness. Valhalla literally translates as "Hall of the Fallen" or ("Hall of the Chosen Battle Slain"), and is exactly where the chosen battle slain went to feast at night after they waged war together all day every day (dying and being "reborn" perpetually). And yes, "Immigrant Song" is a great song.
  • Dan from Merrimack, NhI saw them do this live Aug. 1970 Boston Garden before it was even released.They did a version of Whole lotta Love that night I swear was 25 minutes long.Best live band I ever saw/heard!!!
  • Jason from Denver, CoI agree with Mr. Jack Black.
    RRRRRRAGOONG GA GA GIGOO RRRRRRAGOONG GA GA GIGOO
    aaaAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAA AAA!!!
  • Peter Griffin from Quahog, RiThis is the shortest Led Zeppelin song THAT HAS LYRICS. But it isn't the shortest.
  • D from Chicago, IlMike from Chicago, somebody messed up. In Norse mythology it wasn't "heroes" who transcended earth for Asgard, it was all men and women who died in battle. The norse put a lot of weight in valor and honor and the most honorable death imaginable for them was one in battle. And no one, ever, went to Valhalla, that was the god's feasting hall where no human soul ever strolled. The human souls would be take to the fields of Asgard where they would fight all day long, never getting hungry or thirsty and when they were slain they would awake the next morning at dawn fully rested and nourished and begin again.

    On a different note, this song is great, and isn't the shortest Zep tune, Bron's 2:06 and Black Mountain Side is 2:05.

    Also, let's look quickly at the debate between the Mongols and the Vikings. The song was written in Iceland, by the in-direct descendants of Vikings, about the Golden Horde? NO! If you're so deprived of deductive reasoning, look at the words "On we sweep with threshing oar,
    Our only goal will be the western shore." Two clues right there, the Mongols had no navy at all, not even a little one, and travelled by horse back over land, not over any sea anywhere. The next dead give away is "Shore" a shore is of definition, the beginning of land seen from sea. A coast on the other hand is the end of land seen from the land. Had it been from the perspective oh Mr. Khan or one of his crew, they'd would have been looking for the western coast, and on horseback.

    People bother me, except Mike, and some other people.
  • Peter Griffin from Quahog, RiHow is this the most mellow song by Zeppelin? How? Also, this was played live from 1970-1973.
  • Joycemorrison from Ph, -i fell in love with this song thirty-eight years later it was released! but tis a classic. my trivia contribution: this is played once in a while at Late Night with Conan O'Brien. Conan would always say that (the house band) would "bring the Led out!". he particularly used this as background music when he did his zipline stunts in the show.
  • Tomislav from Zagreb, CroatiaThis song has nothing to do with Mongol army reaching eastern Europe and Scandinavia. "We come from the land of the ice and snow, from the midnight sun, where the hot springs flow" - that refers to Iceland and the Viking colonies there. It's about Viking warriors sailing to "western shore" (discovering America before Columbus) and fighting against Native Americans.
  • Thang from Led Zep, Viet NamThis song appears, in a slightly changed version due to licensing reasons, in Shrek the Third, when Snow White attacks the city gates, guarded by Huorns. She cries the characteristic war cry of Robert Plant, backed by the riff, as in the beginning of the original song.
  • Thang from Led Zep, Viet Nam"Immigrant Song" maybe the first POWER METAL song
  • Carlota from Ankara, TurkeyI love this song, I really don't care if it has any bad meanings =D
  • Randell from Sydney, AustraliaLED ZEPPELIN is the best rock band ever, no contest!! The Immigrant song is one of their best songs.
  • Michael from OxfordI don't get you people marvelling at that scream, it's not difficult to do at all. Well, not for me anyway. AND I have a very deep voice.
  • Bill from Topeka, KsGood Song! That scream in the begining is epic.
  • Peter Griffin from Quahog, RiMelissa and Wilson are both wrong- Bron-Yr-Aur was their shortest song.
  • Jimmy from Somewhere, Vasky thats stupid and heres why when led zeppelin wants to throw in a sex reference they dont hide it too well ex squeeze my lemon til the juice runs down my leg also this isnt a blues song the riff is pounding not bluesy
  • Jimmy from Somewhere, Vaok i think this song is clearly a history based song the line fight the horde is a clear give away the golden horde was the mongol army that took over parts of russia and scandonavia. Scandonavia is where viking origionated "drive our ships to new lands." "Our only goal will be the western shore" is a reference to mongols expansionist ways trying to reach the western shore of europe and having conquered all of eurasia thats my take on it atleast
  • Seamus from Cloumbia, Ctleigh form Shreivport- NO, not at all, no one has a voice as unique as plant's and please dont kid yourself into thinking so
  • Ágústa from Reykjavík, IcelandActually Iceland and Norway are both called the lands of the midnight sun....but we have the larget glacier in Europe so we are definitely a land of ice and snow. And also, we have hot springs......

    This song was written in Iceland(1970), face it, even Plant himself says it...

    And why would the song be about the Lord of the Rings...??
  • Leigh from Shreveport, LaAnn Wilson's cover is really cool. She is the ONLY person who ever does justice to Plant.
  • Bill from Topeka, Ksplants yell is awsome too bad he cant sing for jellybeans anymore
  • Kevin from Albany, OrSky, Yorba Linda...no...I'm sorry, just no...that's stupid.
  • Brian from Goffstown, NhJust listened to Ann Wislon's cover....what a butcher job. Its almost as bad as A Perfect Circle's cover of When The Levee Breaks (and I am a fan of APC and Led Zeppelin). There should be a rule about cover songs: A LITTLE artistic freedom can be used, but you DON'T slow down a cover and you DON'T make it so unrecognizable that the lyrics are the only thing that is origional.
  • Brian from Seattle, WaAnn Wilson's first solo release will be out in Septemebr '07. She covers Immigrant Song with a really fresh take. You can hear it now on http://www.myspace.com/officialannwilson
  • Jim from Indio, CaI love the way the bass is produced in this song. It sounds like the sound was recorded from two different speakers; one small one that you can hear the snap of John's fingers on the strings, and one big one that you hear just a deep bass. Really cool layering; bass guitar should be produced like that more often.
  • William from Westwood, MaThis is one of the First big heavy metal hits aside from Iron Man.
  • Elyssa from Ny, NyFabulous song.......Zeppelin certainly keeps people guessin' about their lyrics even in 2007. That's what legendary greatness is all about. No one can compare to Robert Plant's vocals. When I hear Aerosmith Steve Tyler or Axel Rose from Guns n Roses....I shake my head......they certainly TRY to wail like Plant..but no one compares to him.....he truly was a Golden god in his day!
  • Hanna from Trondheim, Norway(meant to write "Like to think it's about NORWAY, where I'm from"...)
  • Hanna from Trondheim, NorwayFirst ever Led Zep song i heard, I think.
    And one of the coolest!
    Like to think it's about, where I'm from. But naaah, guess it's Iceland they're singin about, because there are no hot springs blowing here, and it's logically because they played there in 1970 and all..
    Erica: why should it be about lord of the rings? are there vikings & viking gods in lotr?
  • Wilson from Atlanta, GaUmm Melissa you are wrong!!! Black Mountainside is the shortest Zep at two minutes and six seconds.
  • Melissa from Fairborn, OhThis is the shortest Led Zeppelin song and it runs only two minutes and 25 seconds.
  • Erica from G-town, KyGood Song. But I think its about Lord of the Rings. Or maybe were not supposed to get it.
  • John from New Dehli, IndiaYou are all wrong about the meaning of this song. It's about Lord of the Rings...
  • Lindsay from Owen Sound, CanadaThornley does an amazing cover of this song at their live shows!
  • Jonathon from Clermont, FlThis one time I played this, and this girl I know was like, "What the hell is that?!" when Plant did those weird yells. I love this song.
  • Mark from Ann Arbor, Mii wonder if any other singer in the world can pull of that yell.
  • Luke from Manchester, EnglandActually, Valhalla isn't just a hall for judgement, it's the Viking equivilent of the Christian Heaven. Only warriors who dies with a sword in their hands are allowed in there and they sit drinking and eating with all their fallen comrades... Learn your mythology.
  • Sky from Yorba Linda, CaI recently wrote a paper on led zeppelin for my History 202 class (U.S. history from 1877- present).
    When analyzing the immigrant song this is what I came up with.
    The blues based influence comes forward in many other hits by the band including some of their most famous songs like, Since I Been Loving You, The ocean, Rock and Roll, and even the Immigrant Song. The lyrics of the Immigrant Song do speak of Vikings traversing foreign shores but the guitar is totally blues to the core. The solo follows the patterns of the blues scale, and in extended versions of the song, like that found on the BBC Sessions, the solo is much larger and further accentuates its bluesy qualitites. The lyrics themselves are also a metaphor and do not directly refer to the Vikings themselves. Some interpret this song as a metaphor Zeppelin wrote about having to leave England and go touring in the States. But if you look closely this song breaks down into a metaphor for sex. The lyrics state, "We come from the lands of the ice and snow, from the midnight sun where the hot springs blow." On one hand it says that they are form the icy north, and the midnight sun could refer to the fact that the north has twenty four hours of sun in the summer. This is the outward meaning that most people see in the song. But you could also interpret the midnight sun to refer to nightlife and the hot springs blowing to refer to the mans ejaculation. The land of the ice and snow could show men to be polar opposites from the women which are later described as fields of green. Plant goes on to sing "The hammer of the gods. We'll drive our ships to new lands. Fight the horde, sing and cry. Valhalla I am coming." The Hammer of the gods and the word, "ships," refers to male genitalia and, "new lands" refers to women. "Fight the horde, sing and cry, Valhalla I am coming," is about the specific act of sex and is rather self explanatory. "On we sweep, with threshing oar. Our only goal will be the western shore." After the act of sex the men move on, their only goal another "shore", or woman. He repeats the opening line and then goes on to say, "how soft your fields so green, can whisper tales of Gore." This refers to the female genitalia calling it a soft appealing field of green. "Can whisper tales of gore" refers to a woman's menstruation. The lines, "Of how we calmed the tides of war," refers to the mans ability to end menstruation through fertilization and, "We are your overlords" speaks of a mans mastery of a women and her womb by becoming a father. With this most can see how intellectual Led Zeppelin was, with metaphoric lyrics that take rock and roll to another level.
  • Jesse from Toronto, CanadaMy friend said something interesting about this song today: it should be Canada's national anthem
  • Devon from Westerville, OhMany times the Max Weinberg seven on Late Night with Conan O'brien will play this song along with Kashmir.
  • Trisha from Okc, Oki can see the humor, i mean c'mon, it's different from any other zep song and plus it is about vikings. Vikings are just funny people, they dress weird and kill people... cant you just see the humor in that? teehee
  • Devon from Westerville, OhThis song is awesome. On of my favorites from Zep along with Stairway and Whole lotta love. In the Black Label Society song stillborn there is some influence from this song in the main riff of Stillborn.
  • Peter from Tacoma, WaI didn;'t like this song until my friend started dinging it all the time. I went home and listened to it and loved it!
  • Collin from Midland, TxI was watching one of the making of features on "School of Rock" and I noticed something kind of funny. There is a part where the script appears. It shows the part of the movie were Jack Black asks the kids about Led Zeppelin. On the line that says "...you know, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page..." Jimmy is spelled incorrectly. It is spelled "Jimmie". I do not know why, but that is kind of funny to me. Also in the credits they credit him with his full name, James Patrick Page.
  • Mark from Manila, OtherYeah I love this song too
    I mean how does four men make a song such as this
    Led Zeppelin is the greatest rock band in world
    "and she's buying a Stairway To Heaven"
  • Stefanie from Rock Hill, ScYeah. Spencer I think that makes more sense too.
  • Spencer from Los Angeles, CaI think the first fact it incorrect. Why would "the land of ice and snow" refer to Iceland, which is fertile and verdant? It sounds more like it would refer to Greenland, or even Norway (where the vikings are from).
  • Brad from V.b., VaI have a Japan 45 import (circa 1978) that contains a liner sheet (english and Japanese) that states one verse as " I wanna go where there's a REST AND SHOW" (Our only goal will be the western shore). Some of the other printed lyrics are different as well. Pretty Funny!!

    Immigrant Song - side 1 / Hey, Hey, What Can I Do - Side 2 (Atlantic/Warner-Pioneer Corp. Toyko, Japan - P-115A/P-1007A2).
  • Mitchell from Redding, CaIf you think the original version is awesome, you need to hear it live (get the Led Zeppelin DVD). It is amazing. All hail Led!
  • Rob from Vancouver, CanadaPopular in karoake bars, this song has provided countless hours of residual entertainment. And not in a good way.
  • Stefanie from Rock Hill, ScKelly Clarkson probably shouldn't sing this one, but at least she is a good singer unlike some of her other contemporaries. I think it's strange she did this one, but whatever.
  • Zach from West Liberty, Kyi agree Jeanette, Irvine, C. there should be no remaking led zepelin tunes its rong and against my religion long live toast!!!!!!!ha
  • Jeanette from Irvine, Capeople who get their careers on reality tv shows should be prohibited from touching led zeppelin. (e.g. KELLY FREAKING CLARKSON)
  • Abi from Toronto, Canadathis song is an anti war song. plant portrays the theme with the vikings and how they were all about war and gore. Then the vikings changed. "how sift your fields so green can whisper tales of gore" means how can such beatiful fields have the stories of blood and war in them. then plant lays down his theme in the final line saying "now you'd better stop and rebuild all your ruins, for peace and trust can win the day despite all your losing" meaning "stop all this war b/c peace is a win for everyone even though you may not be the owner of the world."
  • Chris from Lowestoft, EnglandCheck out the bassline to this song, John Carpenter based his soundtrack to 'Assault On Precinct 13' on it.
  • Kayla from LondonPáll from Iceland, you might want to be careful when you write "Canada or other American places". If you are saying that Canada is an American place, some of us might be a wee bit offended.You might want to watch your wording.
  • Kayla from LondonI was at a bar recently when I heard the beginning of this song come on, I was extremely excited because they don't usually play zeppelin or anything as awesome at this bar, but then all of a sudden, it stopped being the incredible song we all love. This song was...dare I say it...remixed. Yes remixed...and guess by who?!?! KELLY CLARKSON! I wish I could say I was kidding or joking, but I'm not. I went up to the Dj and told him to turn it off for it was absolutely disgusting, unforuntaly he couldn't because someone requested it. I've tried to see if I could download it but I can't find it anywhere, which is a good thing I guess, that way, no one else has to listen to the shameful remix. Kelly Clarkson..You should be ashamed!
  • Vivek from Bangalore, IndiaThis is probably the first Led Zeppelin song i've heard, and i have to say i was dumbstruck when i heard it. Of course that was years ago. One of the best Led zeppelin songs, if not lyrically. Hats off to you Page!!
  • John from Kalgoorlie, AustraliaThe lyrics to this song are clever. It's much better live, because it has a solo!
    If you listen to it loud you can hear what I think is John Bonham saying, "One, two, three, four," before the guitar riff starts.
  • Mickey from Langley, VaLed Zeppelin weren't a funny band, it's true. But they were very into double-meanings, and being intentionally vague in their lyrics and artwork (take the cover of Zeppelin IV - the meaning of that is still unclear. I believe what Zeppelin roadie Billy Orth wrote in his book about the "Land OF Ice And Snow" being Canada. I believe that Robert Plant was being something of a wiseguy when he wrote this song about a simple barfight that he and John Bonham got into in a Canadian bar, and he tried to make it sound like something more mystical. I think he's probably still laughing about it.
  • Olivia from Perth, AustraliaHey, you from Iceland who said the members are sexy- I couldn't agree more! Ahhh.....Robert in those skin tight jeans.....Oh, and I love Led Zeppelin and the song too.
  • Stefanie from Rock Hill, ScThe live version rocks! I have it on dvd!
  • Alex from Philadelphia, PaI believe that "the hammer of the gods" is referring to the Norse thunder God Thor's hammer, since other parts of the song have to do with Norse mythology.
  • Mickey from Langley, VaAgain, according to Orth's book, you can't forget that "Hammer Of The Gods" is also a term that refers to nuclear power. If that's what was was driving the ships, then Plant can't be refering to Vikings. He must be refering to nuclear powered warships or submarines.
    I still think it's interesting that Orth points out that 'Midnight Sun' and 'Hot Springs' were two Ontario bars where John Bonham and Robert Plant liked to get drunk.
    I know people like to read a lot into it, but this song could be nothing more than a comment on the threat of nuclear war, as seen through the eyes of a drunken English musician siting in a Canadian bar.
  • Portia from SaskatoonK this entire song is obviously about Vikings and Norse people. "Midnight sun" is because the sun shines very late and very early for parts of the year, and for the other part it can be dark for 24 hours straight with no sunrise.
    The hammer of the gods is a viking amulet- Thor?s hammer, driving their ships to new lands as vikings explored all over the northern hemisphere of the world.
    As everyone knows, Valhalla is one of three heavens, it is in Odin(the cheif of the gods)'s hall and all warriors who died in battle were sent there.
    Drakkars, viking war boats, were up to 100 feet long and with only sails, they could travel only downwind. Viking explorers had to use oars to travel the ocean if the wind did not suit them, and the Western Shore is referring either to Greenland (from Iceland or Norway) or to New Foundland and Labrador, Canada, where traces of vikings are found.
    "Feilds of green" refers to "Vinland", a land near labrador, probably on the coast of New Foundland, where there was grass for grazing and sandy beaches. There might have been a battle there.
    It goes on, and you get the point.
  • Páll from Reykjavik, IcelandThis song is about Iceland, earlier this year when Robert Plant came to Iceland on a tour he was asked in a interview on a TV station if this song wasn't surely about Iceland, and he said it was.

    "We come from the land of the ice and snow,
    From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow."
    This is obviously referring to Iceland. In the summer the sun is up 24/7, there are hot springs blowing all around and it's icey and snowy.

    Plus, since when were Canada or other American places known for being Vikings? This song is obsiously about Vikings and Norse Mythology.

    Also, this song was written right after they played in Iceland
  • Mickey from Langley, VaHas anyone read the recent boigraphy of Billy Orth, a long-time Zeppelin roadie? He claims that this song is actually about Canada. He says that 'Midnight Sun' and 'Hot Springs' were two rowdy bars in Ontario (also a land of ice and snow) that John Bonham and Robert Plant were very fond of visiting. He also says the line, 'fight the hordes, sing and cry' refers to a fight John Bonham had with a bunch of Canadian Mounties, after which he and Robert Plant got up and did a bit of karaoke. I wonder if there's any truth to that, or the rumour that Jimmy Page didn't play guitar on the song. According to Orth, Page was too hung over to play properly, so a local kid known only as Johnny O. was brought to play the rythm part, and that's why there's no lead guitar of any kind on the song. Interesting, huh?
  • Auðurv. from Reykjavik, IcelandWhoo!! Rock on Icelanders!!! I loved this song from the moment I heard it, and it didn´t ruin the mood when my dear papa told me it was about my country!!!! I was soooo happy cuz this song rocks HARD, especially the beginning. Iceland is a beautiful country and you IDIOTS OUT THERE! who think we live in igloos and go skiing every day, you´re soooo wrong. It isn´t that cold in Iceland and sometimes it doesn´t snow all year. Anyway the Led Zeppelin music is sexy and brilliant, Robert is sexy, Jimmy is sexy, John B. is sexy and so is John P.J Rock on my fellow rockers!!!!
  • Danny from Sydney, Australiathis song is like no other song I have ever heard, the wail is so awesome. I love this song
  • Jeanette from Irvine, CaThat song was totally made by the wail in the beginning! Coolest wail EVER!
  • E from Vancouver, CanadaI agree, the How The West Was Won version packs such a punch... the studio version is great, but blasting the live version through my speakers is way more satisfying
  • Patrick from Charlotte, NcI have to agree with Nick from Baton Rouge. I initially had this song on Led Zeppelin III and wasn't satisfied. One day i was looking up Zeppelin discography on the internet and the live verseion was playing in the background of one of the Zeppelin fan sites. This song kicks so much ass i tripped out, it was great.
  • Kenny from Tuscaloosa, Al"I'm the world's biggest Led Zeppelin fan. The music, the way they conducted themselves, their whole management structure - they were the blueprint. Queen always used to play The Immigrant Song in soundchecks just for the glory of the sound." -Brian May
  • Matt from Millbrae, CaCool riff, very clever lyrics. Zeppelin is untouchable.
  • Nick from Baton Rouge, Laon Led Zepplin III, the immigrant song isnt really that satisfying... i grew up listening to that version, and never really thought it had "it", but i bought "how the west was won", and that is a POWERHOUSE!i blasted it as i watched 4 minutes of the hindenburg exploding on some old movie... i was about to trip, and i wasnt even stoned yet!
  • Nick from Richmond Hill, CanadaI feel exactly what you're saying here Brynjólfur, Hafnarfjour, Iceland. I'm also gonna go see the concert, hope I see you there man! And you're right also in that damn! All zeppelin fans feel that way about being born 30 years earlier.
  • Izzy from Vernon Hills, IlIf you guys have four people in your band(like Zeppelin) you could be Four Sticks.
  • Alec from Salisbury, Mdthis doesnt have anything to do with the song but whats a good name for a led zeppelin cover band?
  • Allen from Bethel, AkHey! You know what? Alaska is ALSO the land of the midnight sun!
  • Michi from Hamburg, GermanyThe song was covered by Infectious Grooves!
  • BrynjÃ?lfur from Hafnarfjörður, IcelandThis song (and pretty much every other song written, composed, and performed by Led Zeppelin) makes me wish I was born 30 years earlier. I'd have given my left arm in order to be able to attend their concert here in Reykjavik back in 1970. Thankfully, I have the option of attending Plant's concert this coming April.... and even though it's not Led Zeppelin, it's as close as I'll ever come to attending a Zeppelin concert, and I'm not going to let that opportunity slip by. :D
  • Ryan from Los Angeles, Cayou haven't heard this song until you've heard the version on how the west was won. go to www.ledzep.com and it'll play when you reach the website. if you click on audio, you can also listen to black dog, heartbreaker, the ocean, and over the hills and far away.
  • Louis from San Diego, CaCould the song possibly be about invading of countries. Litereally that is what it sounds like. That makes sense abour Zep comparing themsleves to norsemen. But it was written in the hayday of Nam. I know they arent well known for political statements, but it kind of suggests it. I dont know when the song was written, but I read that in 1968 The U.S. began peace talks with Vietnamese officials. The end of the song definitly implies someone being conquered and a final peace. To this date when the song was released their seemed to be a slight advantage to the VC. When he speaks about "So now you'd better stop and rebuild all your ruins" Plant could be reffering to the U.S. government rebuiding their reputation to the people of the country. I might be way off because I am only 16 and have not learned nearly enough about Led zeppelin's philosphies to lecutre on them. Does anyone know of any good biographies about the band?
  • Paul from Cumberland, RiI think that this song is incredible. I think that this song is about the Vikings on there voyages (Valhalla is a hall in Asgard where the souls of fallen warriors are taken by the "Valkyries". Only the heroes are taken to Valhalla, where they will wait for their certain doom. Kind of like a death waiting room.)
  • Josh from Perth, Australiaimmigrant song is a classic zep song
  • Big Mike from Merrillville, InThis song has my vote as the BEST heavy metal song of all time. This piece of sonic virtuosity just blows me away- and I have listened to this song since the early seventies. I still remember the EXACT time and place when I heard it first. To all rappers & hip-hoppers- please do not use this sacred metal song in your music. Leave it alone. Do not desecrate this piece of music. You don't touch"Immigant Song", we no touch "Country Grammar".
  • Matias from Sharyland, TxMy personal favorite!!!! The song just pumps you up as if you were going to war.The only bad thing is that it is pretty short.
  • Sam from Sydney, Australiadamn school of rock, why couldnt they play it in its entirety! thankfully the movie has some '60 les pauls and jack black is a cool rocker
  • Ferris from Ohio, OhI saw that tape of Jack Black begging the band to let them use their song, I thought it was hilarious! School of rock is one of my favorite movies, and I love this song, but I don't understand why they couldn't use the whole song in that movie.
  • Anna from Reykjavik, IcelandThe land of the midnight sun is Iceland they wrote the song about Iceland after their visit to Iceland. My parent came to that concert And say that it was great!!!!
  • Ben from Aguadilla, United Stateskrie its by joel veitch www.rathergood.com
    go there

    ....its really not that funny but hey see what you think of it
  • Mike from Chicago, IlThe fact that the god's and men knew that they are all facing certain doom and continue to fight truely does make them hereos; They Valkryies should of carryied up the souls of all the men who died in battle cause' they were all heros I think.
  • Don from Philadelphia, PaBuy "How the west was won" this song is so much better live. I never used to like this song until I heard it live.
  • Will from Portland, OrSorry John, I still don't get it.

    This song sounds better live.
  • John from Rochester, Mnimmigrant song is very funny, them poor christians had a very hard time dealing with the viking heathens how can you not find it funny? LOL
  • Janelle from New York City, NyBest Led Zeppelin SOng! Makes you wish it would never end! IT's too short!
  • Ac from Winnipeg, Canadaya..i dont really see how it was meant to be funny either....but i guess if you are as stoned as they usually were maybe it would be.
    another crazy zep rock song...i love how they write about cool stuff from the past and not the same old same old
  • Pants from Calgary, CanadaThe "awesome wail" at the beginning was "borrowed" from "Bali Hai", a number from Rodgers & Hammerstein's musical "South Pacific".
  • Bob from Mt. Laurel, NjA great song,but I can't see how they meant for it to be funny.
  • Will from Portland, OrThat wail at the beginning is so awesome.

    AaaaaaAaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaAH!
  • Donal from Dungannon, Irelandhey tom they are actually driving home from the auditions for the battle of the bands
  • Kelly from Los Angeles, Cai just wished they could have played the whole song in 'school of rock.' this song rocks
  • Tom from Trowbridge, EnglandRecently used in the Jack Black film School of Rock in a scene where they are driving to the battle of the bands. Black sings along quite demonically!
  • David from Chatham, CanadaHey tom the midnight sun is not only seen in norway. It's seen all over the arctic
  • Krie from Ft. Drum, NyThis song was used in a hilarious flash animation called "Viking Kittens!" Now, if I could remember where I saw that...
  • Tom from Trowbridge, EnglandLand of the midnight sun is Norway.
  • Julian from Philadelphia, PaThe song is about Led Zeppelin's travels and tours, comparing them to Viking warriors conquering new lands. The Viking imagery is probably because while Vikings started in Scandinavia and invaded Europe (and a couple of them went to America before Columbus did) Zep's first tour was in Scandinavia and they caught on in America before they did in Europe. Interestingly, to me the last line almost seems like they're announcing the group's breakup. Fortunately it wasn't that way!
  • Anoir from Becharre, OtherImmigrant Song was used in a recent documentary called "One Day in September" which was about the Israeli Olympic Team massacre at the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Germany.
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