Inspiration--The Immigrant Song by Led Zeppelin
I am on a "world tour" in my galleries right now. I happen to be going through Scandinavia at this point and this tune keeps going through my mind as I make my way through the region. Germany and Scandinavia are the lands of my ancestors and when I look at the Germans and Scandinavians in my galleries, I see myself. Being a musician, I naturally find inspiration in song. This song is an ode to those ancestors. It was first performed in Iceland, which is the country that inspired it.
--Please note that the "official" lyrics differ somewhat from what is actually performed by Robert Plant on the recording. What you see below is what he actually sings.
THE IMMIGRANT SONG--From the album "Led Zeppelin III"--1970--Side One, Track 1
'Come from the Land of the Ice and Snow! From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow!
'Hammer of the Gods will drive our ships to new land!
Fight the hoard! Sing and cry, "Valhalla! I am coming!"
Onward, sweeping! With threshing oar!
Our only goal will be the Western Shore!
'Come from the Land of the Ice and Snow! From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow!
Soft, your fields so green! Whisper tales if gore!
Of how we calmed the tides of war! We are your Overlords!
Onward, sweeping! 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 you're losing!
As one can see, the song conveys the fact that the Vikings were fierce warriors driven by the lust to conquer and settle in the lands they invaded. But, as time went on, they realized that the time for developing what they had conquered was at hand. A chilling fact: Up until about a thousand years ago, my Danish ancestors were eating their enemies and were even feared by other Viking peoples. I can hear it now: "Yeah, Rothgar. We went in and took the women, killed the men, took the livestock and burned the village to the ground. But did you hear about what the Danes did in Angleland (England)?? They are fucking crazy! Stay well clear of them! Or you may well end up as the main course at one of their Victory Banquets!"
--Please note that the "official" lyrics differ somewhat from what is actually performed by Robert Plant on the recording. What you see below is what he actually sings.
THE IMMIGRANT SONG--From the album "Led Zeppelin III"--1970--Side One, Track 1
'Come from the Land of the Ice and Snow! From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow!
'Hammer of the Gods will drive our ships to new land!
Fight the hoard! Sing and cry, "Valhalla! I am coming!"
Onward, sweeping! With threshing oar!
Our only goal will be the Western Shore!
'Come from the Land of the Ice and Snow! From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow!
Soft, your fields so green! Whisper tales if gore!
Of how we calmed the tides of war! We are your Overlords!
Onward, sweeping! 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 you're losing!
As one can see, the song conveys the fact that the Vikings were fierce warriors driven by the lust to conquer and settle in the lands they invaded. But, as time went on, they realized that the time for developing what they had conquered was at hand. A chilling fact: Up until about a thousand years ago, my Danish ancestors were eating their enemies and were even feared by other Viking peoples. I can hear it now: "Yeah, Rothgar. We went in and took the women, killed the men, took the livestock and burned the village to the ground. But did you hear about what the Danes did in Angleland (England)?? They are fucking crazy! Stay well clear of them! Or you may well end up as the main course at one of their Victory Banquets!"
5 年 前
He keeps me awake
when I drive at night in the car
They were animals! (read their bios)
But the shaped multiple generations of musicians and fans.
It is my desire to have their music played during the celebration of my life (funeral).
Cheers!