Les Morts Dansant

Album: Vintage Magnum (1984)
Play Video
  • Cannons roared, in the valley they thundered
    While the guns lit up the night
    Then it rained and both sides wondered
    Who is wrong and who is right?

    On the wire like a ragged old scarecrow
    Bloody hands and broken back
    When they fire, see him pirouette solo
    Jump in time to the rat-a-tat

    What a night though it's one of seven
    What a night for the dancing dead
    What a night to be called to heaven
    What a picture to fill your head
    To fill your head

    By the wall in silhouette standing
    Through a flash of sudden light
    Cigarette from his mouth just hanging
    Paper square to his heart pinned tight

    Gather 'round, reluctant marksmen
    One of them to take his life
    With a smile he gives them pardon
    Leaves the dark and takes the light

    What a night though it's one of seven
    What a night for the dancing dead
    What a night to be called to heaven
    What a picture to fill your head
    To fill your head

    They dispatch their precious cargo
    And knock him back right off his feet
    And they pray may no one follow
    Better still to face the beast

    When the field has become a garden
    And the wall has stood the test
    Children play and the dogs run barking
    Who would think or who would guess?

    What a night though it's one of seven
    Le mort dansant
    What a night for the dancing dead
    What a night to be called to heaven
    What a picture to fill your head
    To fill your head

    What a night though it's one of seven
    Le mort dansant
    What a night for the dancing dead
    What a night to be called to heaven
    What a picture to fill your head
    What a night

    What a night though it's one of seven
    Le mort dansant
    What a night for the dancing dead
    What a night to be called to heaven, heaven
    What a picture to fill your head Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 2

  • Crüe from Chelmsford, United KingdomOne of the only rock bands to perform songs based on World War One. Perhaps one of the only rock bands to have been around then!
    Seriously, I love this song. Very moving!
  • Laurent from Manama, Bahrain"Les Morts Dansant" is IMHO Magnum's greatest song ever. It is an epic, moving and magnficent song. There are several live versions of this song that are all superb. Tony Clarkin is a genius songwriter and probably the most underrated English guitar player. Amazing band and one of my top 5 songs of all time.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Kip Winger

Kip WingerSongwriter Interviews

The Winger frontman reveals the Led Zeppelin song he cribbed for "Seventeen," and explains how his passion for orchestra music informs his songwriting.

Jeff Trott

Jeff TrottSongwriter Interviews

Sheryl Crow's longtime songwriting partner/guitarist Jeff Trott reveals the stories behind many of the singer's hits, and what its like to be a producer for Leighton Meester and Max Gomez.

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Jackie DeShannon - "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"

Jackie DeShannon - "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"They're Playing My Song

It wasn't her biggest hit as a songwriter (that would be "Bette Davis Eyes"), but "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" had a family connection for Jackie.

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.

Jim McCarty of The Yardbirds

Jim McCarty of The YardbirdsSongwriter Interviews

The Yardbirds drummer explains how they created their sound and talks about working with their famous guitarists.