Classic Rock Lyrics

Achilles Last Stand Lyrics - Led Zeppelin



It was an April morning
when they told us we should go
As I turn to you
you smiled at me
how could we say no

With all the fun to have
to live the dreams we always had
woa the songs to sing
when we at last return again

sending off a glancing kiss
to those who claim they know
to know the streets the seaman hears
the devil is in his hole

Oh to sail away
to sandy lands and other days
oh to touch the dream
hides inside and never seen, yeah

Into the sun the south the north
lies the first of hope
the shackles of commitment fell
in pieces on the ground

Oh to ride the wind
to tread the air above the din
oh to laugh aloud
dancing eyes above the crowd

To seek the man whose pointing hand
the giant step unfolds
With guidance from the curving path
that churns up into stone

If one bell should ring
in celebration for a king
so fast the heart should beat
as proud the head with heavy feet, yeah

(Cool Guitar Solo)

Days went by when you and I
made an eternal summers glow
as far away and distant
a mutual time to grow

Oh the sweet refrain
soothes the soul and calms the pain
Oh Albion remains, sleeping now to rise again

Wandering upon the rings
what place to rest the search
the mighty arms of Atlas
hold the heavens from the earth

the mighty arms of Atlas
hold the heavens from the earth
from the eeeeaaaarrrrth
ooooooooooooooh

I know the way, know the way, know the way, know the way  (2x)
I used to know the way

ooooooooaaaaaoooooooooooh

Oh the mighty arms of Atlas
hold the heavens from the earth
uuuuh ooooh aaaaaauuuuuhhhhoooohhhhhaaaaaaaahhh (you get the idea)


According to myth, Achilles was dipped in the river Styx to make him immortal. His mother held him by the heel, however, leaving it vulnerable. Paris killed him in the Trojan War by hitting him in the heel with an arrow.
Robert Plant wrote this about his travels throughout Morocco, Greece, Spain, etc. The music was inspired by Flamenco and Moroccan traditions. The lyrics were inspired not only by the travels but also by some of the poetry Robert was reading at the time, which includes William Blake. "Albion remains/sleeping now to rise again" is a reference to Blake's engraving The Dance Of Albion. The following is an excerpt from the poem that goes with the song:
Albion rose from where he labour'd at the Mill with Slaves.
Giving himself for the Nations he danc'd the dance of Eternal Death.
The references to the Atlas mountains, "The mighty arms of Atlas hold the heavens from the Earth," is simply a clever double-meaning to imply the Atlas mountains in a physical sense seeming to hold up the sky, as well as the reference to the titan Atlas and his task to hold the world on his shoulders. (thanks, Mark - Phila, PA, for above 2)
Plant was recovering from a car accident when they were working on this. He re-injured his ankle when he became overly enthusiastic and fell while recording this.
Jimmy Page overdubbed 6 guitar tracks to create a huge sound.
Led Zeppelin played this at the remainder of their live shows.
Page and Plant wrote this at a house in Malibu where they stayed for a month while Plant recovered from a car accident.
This is one of the longest Led Zeppelin songs. It runs 10:26.


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