The band originally consisted of vocalist and keyboardist Ivan Moody, rhythm guitarist Zoltan Bathory, lead guitarist Caleb Andrew Bingham, bassist Matt Snell, and drummer Jeremy Spencer. Bingham was replaced by guitarist Darrell Roberts in 2006, who was then replaced by Jason Hook in 2009. Bassist Matt Snell departed from the band in 2010, and was replaced by Chris Kael in 2011. Spencer then departed the band in 2018 due to recurring back issues, and was replaced by Charlie Engen, making rhythm guitarist Bathory the only remaining founding member of the band. In October 2020, British guitarist Andy James became the band's lead guitarist, replacing Jason Hook.
Five Finger Death Punch are the recipients of the RadioContraband Rock Radio Awards for "Indie Artist of the Year" in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014. They were also honored with the Radio Contraband Rock Radio Award for Album (American Capitalist) and Song of the Year ("Coming Down") in 2012 and "Video of the Year" for "Wrong Side of Heaven" in 2014.
To date, Five Finger Death Punch has released nine studio albums, one live album, two compilation albums, one extended play (EP), and 33 singles.
Battle Born
Five Finger Death Punch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Long before the world I know tore it all apart
Once upon a time there was a part of me I shared
Years before they took away the part of me that cared
I've been a thousand places
And shook a million hands
I don't know where I'm going
I've flown a million miles
And I've rode so many more
Every day, a castaway
A vagabond, battle born
I'm battle born
Once upon a time I had an open point of view
That was just so long ago before I had a clue
Was there such a time where I didn't stand alone?
Was there ever a time, and how would I have known?
I've been a thousand places
And shook a million hands
I don't know where I'm going
But I know just where I've been
I've flown a million miles
And I've rode so many more
Every day, a castaway
A vagabond, battle born
Attention all passengers, flight 555 now departing to Las Vegas to London
Please have your passports and boarding passes ready
I've been a thousand places
And shook a million hands
I don't know where I'm going
But I know just where I've been
I've flown a million miles
And I've rode so many more
Every day, a castaway
A vagabond, battle born
Been a thousand places
And shook a million hands (battle born)
I don't know where I'm going
But I know just where I've been (battle born)
I've flown a million miles
And I've rode so many more
Every day, a castaway
A vagabond, battle born
I'm battle born
I'm battle born
Every day, a castaway
A vagabond, battle born
Battle born
"Battle Born" by Five Finger Death Punch is a powerful song about resilience and perseverance. The lyrics speak to the journey of the singer, who has been through many experiences that have taken a toll on him, but still manages to keep going. The first verse talks about a time when he had a heart and cared deeply about things, but the world changed him and he lost that part of himself. The second verse reflects on a time when he was more open-minded and less isolated, but he can no longer remember that version of himself.
The chorus is the most impactful part of the song, as it summarizes the singer's entire journey. He has been to a thousand different places and met countless people, but he still doesn't know where he's going. Despite all the setbacks and the feeling of being a castaway or a vagabond, he is battle-born and refuses to give up.
The final repetition of the chorus brings the song to a close with a feeling of strength and determination. The spoken word announcement at the end adds to the traveling theme of the song, giving the impression that the singer is always moving forward, no matter where he is headed.
Overall, the song is a message of hope for anyone who has been through difficult times and faced adversity. Despite the challenges, it is possible to keep going and find strength in being battle-born.
Line by Line Meaning
Once upon a time I swore I had a heart
I thought I was capable of love
Long before the world I know tore it all apart
But life's experiences broke me down
Once upon a time there was a part of me I shared
I used to open up to people
Years before they took away the part of me that cared
Until someone hurt me so much that I stopped caring
I've been a thousand places
I've traveled all over the world
And shook a million hands
I've met so many people
I don't know where I'm going
But I'm unsure of my future
But I know just where I've been
And I have the memories of my past
I've flown a million miles
I've traveled by plane so much
And I've rode so many more
And I've traveled by other means as well
Every day, a castaway
I feel like I don't belong anywhere
A vagabond, battle born
But I keep moving forward and fighting
Once upon a time I had an open point of view
I used to be more open-minded
That was just so long ago before I had a clue
But that was before I experienced life's hardships
Was there such a time where I didn't stand alone?
I wonder if I ever felt truly accepted
Was there ever a time, and how would I have known?
And even if I did, how would I remember?
Attention all passengers, flight 555 now departing to Las Vegas to London
This line is a sample from an airport announcement and doesn't have deep significance
Been a thousand places
I've seen and experienced so much
And shook a million hands (battle born)
And I've met so many people along the way
But I know just where I've been (battle born)
But I don't regret any of it, because it's made me who I am now
A vagabond, battle born
I may not have a permanent home, but I'm still strong and fighting
I'm battle born
I may have been broken down, but I've also been built back up
Every day, a castaway
I still feel like an outsider
A vagabond, battle born
But I won't let that stop me from fighting and persevering
Battle born
I'm strong and resilient, and nothing can defeat me
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: IVAN MOODY, JEREMY SPENCER, KEVIN CHURKO, THOMAS JASON GRINSTEAD, ZOLTAN BATHORY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robin Smith
Once upon a time I swore I had a heart
Long before the world I know tore it all apart
Once upon a time there was a part of me I shared
Years before they took away the part of me that cared
I’ve been a thousand places and shook a million hands
I don’t know where I’m going but I know just where I’ve been
I’ve flown a million miles and I’ve rode so many more
Every day a castaway, a vagabond
Battle born
A battle born
Once upon a time I had an open point of view
That was just so long ago before I had a clue
Was there such a time where I didn’t stand alone?
Was there ever a time? And how would I have known?
I’ve been a thousand places and shook a million hands
I don’t know where I’m going but I know just where I’ve been
I’ve flown a million miles and I’ve rode so many more
Every day a castaway, a vagabond
Battle born
(Attention all passengers, flight 555 is now departing from Las Vegas to London, please have your passports and boarding passes ready)
I’ve been a thousand places and shook a million hands
I don’t know where I’m going but I know just where I’ve been
I’ve flown a million miles and I’ve rode so many more
Every day a castaway, a vagabond
Battle born
I’ve been a thousand places and shook a million hands
I don’t know where I’m going but I know just where I’ve been
I’ve flown a million miles and I’ve rode so many more
Every day a castaway, a vagabond
Battle born
A battle born
A battle born
Everyday a castaway, a vagabond
Battle born
Battle born
KNi[]x
Lyrics
Once upon a time I swore I had a heart
Long before the world I know tore it all apart
Once upon a time there was a part of me I shared
Years before they took away the part of me that cared
I've been a thousand places
And shook a million hands
I don't know where I'm going
But I know just where I've been
I've flown a million miles
And I've rode so many more
Every day, a castaway
A vagabond, battle born
I'm battle born
Once upon a time I had an open point of view
That was just so long ago before I had a clue
Was there such a time where I didn't stand alone?
Was there ever a time, and how would I have known?
I've been a thousand places
And shook a million hands
I don't know where I'm going
But I know just where I've been
I've flown a million miles
And I've rode so many more
Every day, a castaway
A vagabond, battle born
Attention all passengers, flight 555 now departing to Las Vegas to London
Please have your passports and boarding passes ready
I've been a thousand places
And shook a million hands
I don't know where I'm going
But I know just where I've been
I've flown a million miles
And I've rode so many more
Every day, a castaway
A vagabond, battle born
Been a thousand places
And shook a million hands (battle born)
I don't know where I'm going
But I know just where I've been (battle born)
I've flown a million miles
And I've rode so many more
Every day, a castaway
A vagabond, battle born
I'm battle born
I'm battle born
Every day, a castaway
A vagabond, battle born
Battle born
Heather Tucker
I'm a navy wife and saw them in Atlanta while my husband was overseas, after the show i met Ivan and he noticed my dog tags asked if they were mine i responded, "no they are my husbands" He then stopped what he was doing pulled me to the side and gave me the biggest hug and thanked my husband for his service and thanked me for part in it as well, for standing by the man i love while he fights for this country he said it takes a strong woman to do what i do. He now has one of my husbands tags! LOve it!
Javi Navarro
Respect
JoshhCarnivore H
5FDP are awesome.
EvoraMUSIC
JoshhCarnivore H Is*
Alpine
got chills reading that!!! awesommeee
James Waite
You gave him one of your husbands tags? Wtf
Mark Harrison
Im a father aged 57., that lost a daughter aged 20. I'm still here battling demons and life every day. Thank you FFDP for the music that gives me the strength to do that.😢
KC Hell Kat
So sorry for your loss my heart hurts for you and my thoughts and prayers are with you, please stay strong
mindfreakYpinkY
Sending grief from poland
Robert Cassidy
I’m 70 years old and love these guys. So much truth and power in there music.