Manowar is an American heavy metal band from Auburn, New York. Formed in 19… Read Full Bio ↴Manowar is an American heavy metal band from Auburn, New York. Formed in 1980, the group is known for lyrics based on fantasy (particularly sword and sorcery) and mythology (particularly Norse mythology and Greco-Roman mythology), as well as numerous songs celebrating the genre and its core audience. The band is also known for a loud and emphatic sound. In an interview for MTV in February 2007, bassist Joey DeMaio lamented that "these days, there's a real lack of big, epic metal that is drenched with crushing guitars and choirs and orchestras... so it's nice to be one of the few bands that's actually doing that". In 1984, the band was included in the Guinness Book of World Records for delivering the loudest performance, a record which they have since broken on two occasions. They also hold the world record for the longest heavy metal concert after playing for five hours and 1 minute in Bulgaria (at Kavarna Rock Fest) in 2008. They also have been known for their slogan "Death to false metal". The band maintains a strong cult following.

Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manowar

Studio albums
Battle Hymns (1982)
Into Glory Ride (1983)
Hail to England (1984)
Sign of the Hammer (1984)
Fighting the World (1987)
Kings of Metal (1988)
The Triumph of Steel (1992)
Louder Than Hell (1996)
Warriors of the World (2002)
Gods of War (2007)
Battle Hymns MMXI (2010)
The Lord of Steel (2012)
Kings of Metal MMXIV (2014)

God or Man
Manowar Lyrics

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I arrive a stranger in this land and
Those who seek me their blood will wash the land
They who need me now reach out their hand
And If she heals me will I be god or man

Tell me
Will I live or die
Then tell me why

Tell me who I am
God or man

Step aside
Where I ride
Or you will die

My protection I give to those in need
Mother, son and daughter and father will be free
from the chains of death upon them
I shall end their misery
With blood upon my hammer
Now the wolves of men shall bleed

Tell me
Will I live or die
Then tell me why
Now tell me who I am
God or man

Step aside
Where I ride
Or you will die

I’m alive
And I know why
Cause of lies
For you will die

You’ll know the curse of my pain
Thunder and rain

My protection I give to those in need
Mother, son and daughter and father will be free
From the chains of death upon them
I shall end their misery
With blood upon my hammer
Now the wolves of men shall bleed

Step aside
Where I ride
Step aside
Or you will die

I’m alive
And I know why
Cause of Lies
You will die

Step aside
Where I ride
Step aside
Or you will die

I’m alive
And I know why
Cause of Lies
You will die

Step aside
Where I ride

Step aside
Or you will die

Overall Meaning

The song "God or Man" by Manowar explores the duality of human nature and the power dynamics between individuals. In the opening lines, the singer arrives as a stranger in a foreign land, indicating a lack of familiarity and disorientation. However, the locals perceive him as a savior figure, as those who seek him believe that his arrival will wash away the blood in the land. The contradiction between the singer's modest self-perception and the locals' expectation of him establishes the central conflict of the song.

The lyrics continue to express the temptation of power, as the locals' need for the singer's help prompts them to reach out. The singer contemplates the potential consequences of his actions - if he saves them, will he become a god or remain human? The lyrics reflect the timeless struggle for power, as those in need often place their faith in a powerful figure who has the potential to save them.

Throughout the song, the singer asserts his dominance through violent and aggressive language, threatening those who do not step aside for him. He promises to protect those in need, but at a great cost - the "wolves of men" will bleed. This demonstrates the moral ambiguity that comes with power and the potential for corruption it brings.

Overall, Manowar's "God or Man" uses vivid language to explore themes of power and morality, posing the question of whether it is better to be a savior or to retain one's humanity.

Line by Line Meaning

I arrive a stranger in this land and
As I enter this land, I feel like an outsider

Those who seek me their blood will wash the land
Those who come looking for me will cause bloodshed

They who need me now reach out their hand
Those who need my help now ask for it

And If she heals me will I be god or man
If I am healed, will I be elevated to godlike status or remain human?

Tell me Will I live or die Then tell me why Tell me who I am God or man
I want answers about my fate and identity, whether I am divine or mortal

Step aside Where I ride Or you will die
Get out of my way or face the consequences

My protection I give to those in need Mother, son and daughter and father will be free from the chains of death upon them I shall end their misery With blood upon my hammer Now the wolves of men shall bleed
I will protect those who are vulnerable, freeing them from the grip of death and causing their oppressors to pay

I’m alive And I know why Cause of lies For you will die
I am alive and understand the truth because of the falsehoods that you will pay for

You’ll know the curse of my pain Thunder and rain
You will suffer the consequences of my wrath, like thunder and rain

Step aside Where I ride Step aside Or you will die
Once again, get out of my way or face my wrath

I’m alive And I know why Cause of Lies You will die
My knowledge and life exist because of the lies that you will soon be punished for

Step aside Where I ride Step aside Or you will die
Once again, stay clear of my path or suffer the consequences

Contributed by James A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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