The band was initiated as a side project by Hughes and Bonamassa following a performance together in Los Angeles in November 2009, who on the advice of Shirley recruited Bonham and Sherinian later in the year. The name Black Country Communion is derived from the term Black Country, referring to the West Midlands area of England where Hughes and Bonham were brought up. The group's sound is intentionally reminiscent of popular classic rock groups of the 1970s, reflecting the previous work of frontman Hughes as well as the link between Bonham and his father John's band Led Zeppelin.
After disbanding Glenn Hughes and Jason Bonham formed California Breed and Derek Sherinian joined Joe Bonamassa's touring band.
Their reunion album from 2017 is entitled BCC IV. It’s the first album to be released since the band’s breakup in 2013. Recorded in Malibu, California, with producer Kevin Shirley, released on September 22, 2017.
BCC IV expanded the combination of blues rock (Bonamassa’s solo work) and hard rock (Hughes’ previous work with Deep Purple and Black Sabbath, and Bonham’s link with Led Zeppelin) that took place on the first three albums. It’s a high quality hard rock album that brings a great feeling that classic rock is alive and in good hands.
Recorded in only seven days, the band was careful enough not to repeat the previous albums. BCC IV sounds bolder with heavy riffs, undeniable hooks, melodic flair and infectious choruses. Kevin Shirley’s importance is huge by guiding the band into the right directions for the album’s best interest, and the result is spectacular.
The Battle For Hadrian's Wall
Black Country Communion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Smoke, swords and fire, brave man's true desire
For free men must fight tonight all in the glory of war
We sit in waiting every mile on Hadrian's Wall
With steel dirt and sand
We all have stake in the land
For many will not see
Morning sun rising, flags on the horizon, thus begins the battle of Hadrian's Wall
River of red flowing down, all in the name of Galaman's crown
For many will not see
Morning sun rising
Over the horizon
Lead by arrows
And the release of the dragon
Blood rivers flowing
Man die without knowing
We fight as legions
Against a crown of treason
On Hadrian's Wall
Oh in the morning, I rise
Never thought I'd see a morning sun rise
Never thought I'd live to see another day
On Hadrian's Wall
The Battle For Hadrian's Wall is an epic song by Black Country Communion that narrates the historical battle fought by free men against Galaman's crown on Hadrian's Wall. At the beginning of the song, it is mentioned that sinners, monks, and thieves all share the air they breathe. This line gives the impression that in times of war, every man is equal, regardless of their past. The second line that follows, "Smoke, swords and fire, brave man's true desire" depicts the essence of war and how it is natural to have a desire for it among brave men.
The chorus of the song highlights the stakes at risk in the battle. The free men sit in waiting every mile on Hadrian's Wall, with steel, dirt, and sand, indicating their connection to the land they fight for. It states that "Many will not see morning sun rising" which reflects the uncertainty of life during war, where death lurks at every corner. The song's climax describes the intensity of the battle with 4,000 chariots and a river of red flowing down. The battle leads to the release of the dragon, and man dies without knowing why they fight against a crown of treason. The song ends with a ray of hope, with the lead singer rising in the morning, grateful to have lived through the battle.
Line by Line Meaning
Sinners, monks and thieves all share the air we breathe
We are all equal in the face of war and the air we breathe is the same for all.
Smoke, swords and fire, brave man's true desire
The true desire of a brave man is to fight in the midst of smoke, swords and fire.
For free men must fight tonight all in the glory of war
It is the duty of free men to fight tonight for the glory of war.
We sit in waiting every mile on Hadrian's Wall
We are all waiting, stationed every mile on Hadrian's Wall.
With steel dirt and sand
We are armed with steel and accompanied by dirt and sand.
We all have stake in the land
We all have a vested interest in the land we are defending.
For many will not see Morning sun rising, flags on the horizon, thus begins the battle of Hadrian's Wall
Many of us will not live to see the morning sun rising and the beginning of the battle of Hadrian's Wall, marked by the flags on the horizon.
Tonight they will come, 4,000 chariots strong
Tonight, the enemy will come to us, 4,000 chariots strong.
River of red flowing down, all in the name of Galaman's crown
Blood will flow like a river, all in the name of Galaman's crown, for which we fight.
We fight as legions, Against a crown of treason, On Hadrian's Wall
We are fighting as legions against a crown of treason while defending Hadrian's Wall.
Lead by arrows, And the release of the dragon
We are being led by arrows and the enemy dragon will also be unleashed.
Blood rivers flowing, Man die without knowing
Rivers of blood are flowing and men are dying without even realizing it.
On Hadrian's Wall
The battle is taking place on Hadrian's Wall.
Oh in the morning, I rise
I will rise in the morning, if I survive.
Never thought I'd see a morning sun rise
I never thought I would live to see the morning sun rise again.
Never thought I'd live to see another day
I never thought I would survive long enough to see another day.
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: GLENN WILLIAM HUGHES, JOE BONAMASSA, KEVIN SHIRLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Augmuse
Close your eyes and the feel you get in you is simular to the way Led Zeppelin grabed you in their hayday.. This band is so freakin' good! I hope they play a good log time. They are in the special place you want to be in as an artist. This is rock music played r
Maria Hoare
Definitely the best song of the album. Love this one !!!!!!
mr1982
Unbelievably great stuff.
Marco Orsenigo
BEST SONG OF THE ALBUM !
Schliswich
Love that hammond organ.
TheAdam159
Gives me that Zeppelin feel. Especially the Battle of Evermore
marko nousiainen
glenn is still the vocal king
Milos Dunjic
@Mark Repnyek True, but Glenn is still singing backups
tremold2043
lol
Mark Repnyek
That's Joe B. singing!