Achilles Last Stand
Æë°ØÁÖ·ÉͧLed Zeppelin Lyrics

It was an April morning when they told us we should go
The song starts with the reminder of a morning in April, when a decision was made for them that they should leave.

As I turn to you, you smiled at me
The singer looks to his companion for an answer, and receives a reassuring response that everything will be alright.

How could we say no?
With the reassurance of his companion, the singer wonders how they could have possibly refused the decision that was made for them.

Oh, the fun to have To live the dreams we always had Oh, the songs to sing When we at last return again
The singer reflects on the excitement of being able to live out their dreams and sing the songs they've always wanted to, with the hope of returning once again to their homeland.

Slipping off a glancing kiss To those who claim they know Below the streets that steam and hiss The devil's in his hole
The singer acknowledges those who try to understand what they are going through, but ultimately they are alone in their journey, venturing into the lower depths of society.

Oh, to sail away To sandy lands and other days Oh, to touch the dream Hides inside and never seen, yeah
The singer longs to escape to faraway lands, to a time and place where they can live out their dreams, free from the constraints of society.

Into the sun, the south, the north At last the birds have flown The shackles of commitment fell In pieces on the ground
The singer and companion fly away, the birds representing their freedom from commitment and the restrictions of the society they left behind.

Oh, to ride the wind To tread the air above the din Oh, to laugh aloud Dancing as we fought the crowds, yeah
The singer revels in the idea of moving freely with the wind, to escape the noise and distractions of society and dance with their companion despite any obstacles thrown their way.

To seek the man whose pointing hand The giant step unfolds With guidance from the curving path That churns up into stone
The search is on for a guide or mentor who will help them take the next big step toward their dream, through a path that may be difficult but will ultimately lead to success.

If one bell should ring In celebration for a king So fast the heart should beat As proud the head with heavy feet, yeah
The singer reflects on how a single bell ringing in celebration of a king's accomplishment can spread joy and pride throughout a nation, and the feeling of pride swells within the chest and feet become heavy with excitement.

Days went by when you and I Bathed in eternal summer's glow As far away and distant Our mutual child did grow
The singer and companion recall days of undisturbed bliss, where they were bathed in sunlight, but recognize that their goals and focus have left their child to grow away from them.

Oh the sweet refrain Soothes the soul and calms the pain Oh Albion remains Sleeping now to rise again
The singer takes solace in the sweet melody from a bygone era that seems to calm the soul and provide relief from pain. They find hope in the idea that their homeland of Albion will sleep now and arise again in the future.

Wandering and wandering What place to rest the search? The mighty arms of Atlas Hold the heavens from the earth
The singer is lost and wonders where they can stop searching for their dream. They recognize the great burden that Atlas bears in holding up the heavens, and relate to the weight he carries with their own struggles.

For the mighty arms of Atlas Hold the heavens from the earth From the earth
The singer reflects on the strength required to bear such a great burden, and emphasizes that the weight is held up not just from the heavens, but from the earth as well.

I know the way, know the way, know the way, know the way I know the way, know the way, know the way, know the way Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh oh Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh oh
The singer repeats the phrase 'I know the way' over and over, affirming their confidence in finding their path. The repeated 'oh, oh, oh's signify a feeling of exultation and excitement.

Ah, ah, ah, ah Ah, ah, ah, ah Ah, ah, ah, ah Ah, ah, ah, ah Ah, ah, ah, ah Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh oh Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh oh
The singer expresses their emotions with a series of 'ah's and 'oh's, seemingly carried away by a flood of feelings.

For the mighty arms of Atlas Hold the heavens from the earth Ah, ah, ah, ah Ah, ah, ah, ah Ah, ah, ah, ah Ah, ah, ah, ah
The song ends by reiterating the strength required to hold up the weight of the heavens. The repeated 'ah's signify a sense of awe and reverence toward that strength.