Ironsword is a Heavy Metal band from Lisbon, Portugal. The band was formed … Read Full Bio ↴Ironsword is a Heavy Metal band from Lisbon, Portugal. The band was formed in early 1995 by J.M. (João Fonseca), who then played all instruments, except for the drums. A drum machine had to be used since at first he couldn't find decent musicians for his band. He used 4 tracker to record a 15 minute promo-tape which featured 3 songs, and this was the first release by the band.

Since then the band has released three studio albums, Ironsword in 2002, Return of the Warrior in 2004 and Overlords of Chaos in 2008.

J.M. no longer plays all instruments. Instead he's the singer and guitarist, Arrno Maalm (Beto Arrais) is the drummer, and Rick Thor is the bass player.

Death or Glory
Ironsword Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

In fire we were sworn many ages before we were born
In battle we shall die and to Valhalla ride

Let the arrows fly... Let the axes clash...
Let the arrows fly... Let the axes clash...
Death or glory

Baptised in blood and ice, to triumph at any price

Warlords bound by one fate, the glorious deeds to take

Let the arrows fly... Let the axes clash...
Let the arrows fly... Let the axes clash...
Death or glory

We would rather die in honour than live without glory
For a beautiful death lends life honour

Knowing not fear or defeat
Slaying the strong and the weak
Surrounded by our fallen foes
Sweet music their dying woes

Let the arrows fly... Let the axes clash...

Let the arrows fly... Let the axes clash...
Death or glory

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of Ironsword’s song “Death or Glory” highlight the idea of a warrior’s commitment to their cause, one that transcends time and will continue long after they have passed. The fire mentioned here represents both the transformative power of battle and the passion and dedication of those who have sworn to fight. The line “in battle we shall die and to Valhalla ride” speaks to the Norse belief that those who die in battle are chosen to go to Valhalla, a warrior’s paradise. This creates a sense of fatalism and charged intensity throughout the song.

The chorus of “Death or Glory” is a call to arms, urging the warriors to fight to the death and achieve either death or glory. The line “Baptized in blood and ice, to triumph at any price” emphasizes the brutality and harshness of battle, and the willingness of the warriors to sacrifice themselves for their cause. The unity of the warlords is outlined with the words “bound by one fate, the glorious deeds to take,” highlighting their shared mission and their solidarity until the end. The last line “For a beautiful death lends life honour” reiterates the importance of honour and glory, even in death.

Line by Line Meaning

In fire we were sworn many ages before we were born
We have been bound to a destiny of war since before our birth.

In battle we shall die and to Valhalla ride
We accept death on the battlefield and hope to reach the Viking afterlife of Valhalla.

Let the arrows fly... Let the axes clash...
We welcome the chaos of battle.

Death or glory
We are willing to die for the chance at glory.

Baptised in blood and ice, to triumph at any price
We have suffered through bloody and icy battles to achieve victory at any cost.

Warlords bound by one fate, the glorious deeds to take
We are bound together by a shared purpose of achieving heroic deeds.

We would rather die in honour than live without glory
Our honor is more important to us than our survival.

For a beautiful death lends life honour
A glorious death brings honor to our life.

Knowing not fear or defeat
We do not fear or accept defeat.

Slaying the strong and the weak
We conquer both the strong and the weak on the battlefield.

Surrounded by our fallen foes, sweet music their dying woes
The cries of our dying enemies are music to our ears, as we have emerged victorious.