The song is famous for its distinctive, wailing cry from vocalist Robert Plant (with a melody reminiscent of "Bali Ha'i") at the beginning of the song, and is built around a repeating, staccato Jimmy Page/John Paul Jones/John Bonham riff. The hiss at the beginning of the track is feedback from an echo unit.
"Immigrant Song" was written during Led Zeppelin's tour of Iceland, Bath and Germany in mid-1970. The opening date of this tour took place in Reykjavik, Iceland, which inspired Plant to write the song. As he explained:
“ We weren't being pompous ... We did come from the land of the ice and snow. We were guests of the Icelandic Government on a cultural mission. We were invited to play a concert in Reykjavik and the day before we arrived all the civil servants went on strike and the gig was going to be canceled. The university prepared a concert hall for us and it was phenomenal. The response from the kids was remarkable and we had a great time. "Immigrant Song" was about that trip and it was the opening track on the album that was intended to be incredibly different.”
Just six days after Led Zeppelin's appearance in Reykjavik, the band performed the song for the first time on stage during the Bath Festival.
The song is dedicated to the Icelander Leif Ericson, and is sung from the perspective of Vikings rowing west from Scandinavia in search of new lands. The lyrics make explicit reference to Viking conquests and the Old Norse religion (Fight the horde, sing and cry, Valhalla, I am coming!). In a 1970 radio interview, Plant jokingly recalled:
“We went to Iceland, and it made you think of Vikings and big ships... and John Bonham's stomach... and bang, there it was - Immigrant Song!”
"Immigrant Song" is one of Led Zeppelin's few single releases, having been released in November of 1970 by their record label, Atlantic Records, against the band's wishes. It reached #16 on the Billboard charts. Its B side, "Hey Hey What Can I Do", was otherwise unavailable before the release of the band's first boxed set in 1990. The single was also mistakenly released in Japan with "Out on the Tiles" as the B-side rather than "Hey Hey What Can I Do." That single is now a rare collectible.
One of the lines from the song became part of Led Zeppelin lore. The line, "The hammer of the gods/will drive our ships to new lands" prompted some people to start referring to Led Zeppelin's sound as the "Hammer of the Gods." The phrase was used as the title of Stephen Davis' famous biography of the band, Hammer of the Gods: The Led Zeppelin Saga. The lyrics also did much to inspire the classic Heavy metal myth, of mighty Viking-esque figures on an adventure, themes which have been adopted in the look and music of bands from Iron Maiden to Manowar.
"Immigrant Song" was used to open Led Zeppelin concerts from 1970 to 1972. On the second half of their 1972 concert tour of the United States, it was introduced by a short piece of music known as "LA Drone", designed to heighten the sense of anticipation and expectation amongst the concert audience. By 1973, "Immigrant Song" was occasionally being used as an encore, but was then removed from their live set. Live versions of the song can be heard on the Led Zeppelin albums How The West Was Won (featuring a performance at Long Beach Arena in 1972) and the Led Zeppelin BBC Sessions (a version from the Paris Theatre in London in 1971). When played live, Page played a lengthy guitar solo, which was absent on the recorded Led Zeppelin III version. "Immigrant Song" was played as part of the 2009 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony for Jeff Beck by both Page and Beck.
01- Immigrant Song
Led Zeppelin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ah-ah, ah!
We come from the land of the ice and snow
From the midnight sun where the hot springs flow
Hammer of the Gods
Will drive our ships to new land
To fight the horde and sing and cry
On we sweep with threshing oar
Our only goal will be the Western shore
Ah-ah, ah!
Ah-ah, ah!
We come from the land of the ice and snow
From the midnight sun where the hot springs flow
How soft your fields so green
Can whisper tales of gore
Of how we calmed the tides of war
We are your overlords
On we sweep with threshing oar
Our only goal will be the Western shore
So now you'd better stop and rebuild all your ruins
For peace and trust can win the day despite of all your losing
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Ahh, ah
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Led Zeppelin's "Immigrant Song" is a powerful and energetic tribute to the Viking spirit of exploration and conquest. The opening vocals of the song declare the arrival of the Viking warriors ("Ah-ah, ah! Ah-ah, ah!"), who come "from the land of the ice and snow", a reference to the cold and rugged landscapes of Scandinavia. The Vikings navigated the seas of the North Atlantic, following the midnight sun to discover new lands.
The lyrics then introduce the Hammer of the Gods, a mythological weapon wielded by the Norse god Thor. The Vikings believed that the Hammer had the power to destroy their enemies and create new opportunities for conquest. The Vikings sailed their ships with this weapon and fought fearlessly against their foes. The reference to Valhalla, the afterlife hall of slain warriors, highlights the bravery and courage of the Vikings, who sought to earn a place in this revered place through their deeds in battle.
The chorus of the song is a rallying cry for the Vikings as they sail towards the Western shore with their only goal being to conquer new lands. The final verses of the song speak of the Viking conquests and how they were able to calm the tides of war. The song ends on a note of triumph, with a call for rebuilding and reconciliation. "Immigrant Song" is a testament to the Viking spirit and their determination to overcome all obstacles in their quest for adventure and conquest.
Line by Line Meaning
Ah-ah, ah!
A vocalization that is used to build excitement and energy for what is to come.
We come from the land of the ice and snow
We originated from a place that is cold and frozen.
From the midnight sun where the hot springs flow
We are from a region that experiences light for 24 hours during the summer season, where geothermal activity provides natural hot springs.
Hammer of the Gods
We possess a divine level of power and strength, likened to the mythical weapon used by gods.
Will drive our ships to new land
Our strength and power will allow us to explore and conquer new territories.
To fight the horde and sing and cry
We will engage in battle with a large group of people, but also express ourselves musically and emotionally.
Valhalla, I am coming
We are fearless, envisioning ourselves as warriors entering the ultimate paradise for those who died in combat.
On we sweep with threshing oar
We move forward with great force, using a tool to cut through and clear obstacles.
Our only goal will be the Western shore
Our sole objective is to reach the opposite side of the ocean.
How soft your fields so green
The landscape we encounter is gentle and lush, with greenery that appears soft to the touch.
Can whisper tales of gore
The peaceful scenery can also tell stories of violence and bloodshed.
Of how we calmed the tides of war
We have the power to bring an end to conflict and restore peace.
We are your overlords
We have authority and control over the people we encounter.
So now you'd better stop and rebuild all your ruins
We suggest that those who oppose us should focus on repairing their damage and prepare for what's to come.
For peace and trust can win the day despite of all your losing
Despite your defeats, choosing to seek peace and build trust can lead to a positive outcome.
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Vocalization that reinforces the energy and excitement of the song's climax.
Ah-ah, ah!
Final vocalization to end the song on a high note.
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Continuation of the vocalization that reinforces the energy and excitement of the song's climax.
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Continuation of the vocalization that reinforces the energy and excitement of the song's climax.
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Continuation of the vocalization that reinforces the energy and excitement of the song's climax.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jimmy Page, Robert Plant
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@LotofacilLogica
Immigrant Song ( Lyrics 100% accurate)
--------------
Two, three, four
Ah-ah-ahh-ah, ah-ah-ahh-ah
We come from the land of the ice and snow
from the midnight sun where the hot springs blow
The hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new lands
To fight the horde and sing and cry, "Valhalla, I am coming"
On we sweep with, with threshing oar
Our only goal will be the western shore
Ah-ah-ahh-ah, ah-ah-ahh-ah
We come from the land of the ice and snow
from the midnight sun where the hot springs blow
How soft your fields, so green
can whisper tales of gore, of how we calmed the tides of war
We are your overlords
On we sweep with threshing oar
Our only goal will be the western shore
S-so now you better stop and rebuild all your ruins
for peace and trust can win the day despite of all you're losin'
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Ahh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
@marieblue
The “land of ice and snow” is Iceland, where Led Zeppelin performed in June 1970.
Robert Plant explained : “We were guests of the Icelandic Government on a cultural mission. We were invited to play a concert in Reykjavik and the day before we arrived, all the civil servants went on strike and the gig was going to be canceled. The university prepared a concert hall for us and it was phenomenal. The response from the kids was remarkable and we had a great time. ‘Immigrant Song’ was about that trip and it was the opening track on the album that was intended to be incredibly different.”
The lyric, “Valhalla I am coming” refers to Norse mythology. Valhalla is a hall in Asgard where the souls of fallen warriors are taken by the “Valkyries,” which are spirits of war who carry up heroes who have been slain.
One of the lyrics became part of the band’s lore. The line, “The hammer of the gods / Will drive our ships to new lands” got many fans referring to Zeppelin’s sound as the “HAMMER OF THE GODS.” That phrase was even used by author Stephen Davis as the title of a book (1985) about the English group.
The hiss at the beginning is feedback from an echo unit. It was intentional.
Led Zeppelin opened their live shows with “Immigrant Song” from 1970 to 1972. 💚🎶💜
@dwaynewladyka577
The power of John Bonham's drums is so intense on this track. He was an amazing drummer. May he rest in peace. Cheers!
@erichwashausen4602
His drums mixed with the bass in the song are so great!
@tonymate6664
Let a 54 old drummer just shake your hand...🤝🥁✌🏻
@nicholaslubke355
If im not mistaken the kit is recorded with only 3 microphones (glynn johns method) which is really impressive.
@harbscantina
He truly was a one off. Though I will admit Jason is doing his memory justice :)
@doejon9424
The beginning of Heavy Metal! An absolute staple in anyone's musical library
@Jolie567
Don’t ask who’s here in 2024, we never left.... 🎸🤟🎸
@mrguy9118
ain't goin nowhere either 🤟
@hugejohnson5011
Valhalla I am coming.......
@Gabe_05
If I ever conquer the world I’m listening to this song while I do it