Heroes
Lindisfarne Lyrics


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Hull

And to me everyone of them was a hero
standing in the cold cold morning light
every single one of them was a hero
standing up for their rights.
And don't let no-body tell you no different
no newspaper phoney or friend
'cos when the book has finally been written
you know the Heroes always beat the villians in the end.

With head held high and proud, stand up and sing it loud
no tin pot tyrant, no self-made giant,
nothing's gonna stop us now.

And the traitors who's heads were turned
and who's loyalty were misplaced
don't have to say one single word
'cos it's written all over their face
and the leader will come in the last
and the last will win the race.
And the order will all be changing
when the Heroes finally take their rightful place.

With head held high and proud, stand up and sing it loud
no tin pot tyrant, no crack-pot giant,
nothing's gonna stop us now.


One swallow don't make a summer
one battle don't win no war
one roll by the drummer
will soon settle the score
and the Heroes will come out fighting
like they've always done
shoulder to shoulder together,
line by line 'till the final victory is won.

Chorus:
With head held high and proud, stand up and sing it loud
no tin pot tyrant, no crack-pot giant,
nothing's gonna stop us now.





Heroes

Overall Meaning

in Lindisfarne's song "Heroes" is a tribute to all the people who have stood up for their rights, even in the face of extreme adversity. The song starts with the singer stating that every one of those people whom he had encountered was a hero, standing in the cold morning light, ready to fight for their rights. He then emphasizes that no one should be told otherwise by anyone, be it a newspaper or a phony friend, as in the end, the heroes will always triumph over the villains, and this will be written in the book of history. He also encourages people to stand up, to sing loud and proud, and to believe in themselves, as nothing can stop them now, no self-made giant or tin-pot tyrant.


The song continues with a deep insight into human nature, stating that those whose loyalty was misplaced and have betrayed the cause don't have to say a single word, as their faces reveal their true intentions. The singer then goes on to explain that leaders may come and go, but ultimately, it's the last person standing who will win the race, and in this case, the heroes will always take their rightful place. He concludes by stating that just as one swallow doesn't make a summer or one battle doesn't win a war, the heroes will come out fighting, like they always have, and will continue to do so until the final victory is won.


Line by Line Meaning

Hull
The location where the events of the song took place


And to me everyone of them was a hero
The singer admires everyone involved in the events as heroes


standing in the cold cold morning light
The events took place in the early morning in cold weather conditions


every single one of them was a hero
Reiteration of the artist's admiration for everyone involved


standing up for their rights.
The individuals were standing up to protect their rights


And don't let no-body tell you no different
Encouragement to ignore anyone who says otherwise


no newspaper phoney or friend
Assumes that even people that the singer knows personally may still try to deceive them, stands against such actions or beliefs


'cos when the book has finally been written
Refers to the final history book, when everything is known


you know the Heroes always beat the villians in the end.
The 'Heroes' have ultimately won against those harming them


With head held high and proud, stand up and sing it loud
Call for proud, confident behavior


no tin pot tyrant, no self-made giant,
No person, no matter how powerful, can stop the singer


nothing's gonna stop us now.
A message of determination in the face of obstacles


And the traitors who's heads were turned
Refers to individuals who betrayed the cause they were fighting for


and who's loyalty were misplaced
These individuals had misplaced loyalty and did not stand by their principles


don't have to say one single word
Their betrayal is evident without explanation


'cos it's written all over their face
Their guilt is evident in their facial expressions and demeanor


and the leader will come in the last
The eventual victory will be won by unexpected individuals


and the last will win the race.
The eventual winner and resolution will not be what anyone expects


And the order will all be changing
A message that the established order will be disrupted


when the Heroes finally take their rightful place.
When the 'Heroes' take power, things will shift for the better


no tin pot tyrant, no crack-pot giant,
Similar reiteration of not giving in to powerful individuals


nothing's gonna stop us now.
Same message as before, reiterated


One swallow don't make a summer
One small event does not indicate larger change


one battle don't win no war
Similarly, one victory does not ensure ultimate success


one roll by the drummer
Refers to the rhythm of the time and how it can dictate different courses of action


will soon settle the score
This particular event will determine who is victorious in the long run


and the Heroes will come out fighting
'Heroes' will continue to act in their own interests


like they've always done
This is not a new pattern of behavior, but an established one


shoulder to shoulder together,
Unity among the Heroes will lead to success


line by line 'till the final victory is won.
The 'Heroes' will work together until the end and achieve victory


With head held high and proud, stand up and sing it loud
Reiteration of the call for confidence and pride


no tin pot tyrant, no crack-pot giant,
Reiteration of not giving in to powerful individuals


nothing's gonna stop us now.
Reiteration of message of determination


Chorus:
Indicates the chorus section of the song




Contributed by London S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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