Sanctuary
Iron Maiden (Fear Of The Dark Tour '92) Lyrics


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Out of the winter came a war horse of steel
I've never killed a woman before, but I know how it feels
I know you'd have gone insane if you saw what I saw
So now I've got to look for sanctuary from the law

I met up with a stranger last night to keep me alive
He spends all his money on gambling and guns to survive
I know you'd gone insane if you saw what I saw
So now I've got to look for Sanctuary from the law

So give me sanctuary from the law and I'll be alright
Just give me sanctuary from the law and love me tonight, tonight
I know you'd have gone insane if you saw what I saw
So now I've got to look for sanctuary from the law
So give me sanctuary from the law and I'll be alright
Just give me sanctuary from the law and love me tonight, tonight

I can laugh at the wind, I can howl at the rain.
Down in the canyon or out in the plain.

I know you'd have gone insane if you saw what I saw
So now I've got to look for sanctuary from the law





So give me sanctuary from the law and I'll be alright
Just give me sanctuary from the law and love me tonight, tonight

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Iron Maiden's "Sanctuary" are a reflection of the desperation and rebellion that characterizes heavy metal music. The song is told from the perspective of a man who has been forced to turn to a life of crime in order to survive. He has witnessed terrible things during his time on the run, which have left him feeling unstable and vulnerable. He seeks sanctuary from the law - a place where he can escape from the consequences of his actions and find safety.


The man meets a stranger who helps him stay alive, but who lives a similarly dangerous life. Together they live on the edge, fueled by adrenaline and the need to stay one step ahead of the law. Despite their situation, the man still longs for a sense of normalcy - for someone to love him and for a safe place to call home. The lyrics capture the tension between the desire for freedom and the need for security, as the man navigates a difficult and dangerous life.


Overall, "Sanctuary" is a powerful and evocative song that captures the raw emotion and energy of heavy metal music. It speaks to the rebellious spirit of the genre and highlights the ways in which people often turn to music as a way of expressing their most intense emotions and experiences.


Line by Line Meaning

Out of the winter came a war horse of steel
A powerful and deadly force emerged during the cold season.


I've never killed a woman before, but I know how it feels
The singer has empathy for those who have been killed.


I know you'd have gone insane if you saw what I saw
The things the singer has witnessed are disturbing enough to break someone's sanity.


So now I've got to look for sanctuary from the law
The artist is seeking refuge from the authorities due to their actions.


I met up with a stranger last night to keep me alive
The artist sought help from someone they did not know to ensure their survival.


He spends all his money on gambling and guns to survive
The person helping the singer resorts to desperate measures to remain alive.


So give me sanctuary from the law and I'll be alright
If the singer is granted protection from the law, they believe they will be safe.


Just give me sanctuary from the law and love me tonight, tonight
The artist seeks love and comfort, along with protection.


I can laugh at the wind, I can howl at the rain.
The artist is so desperate that they feel they can take on anything, even the elements.


Down in the canyon or out in the plain.
The location does not matter, as the artist is on the run from the law.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, FOX MUSIC, INC.
Written by: JAMES NEWTON HOWARD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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