"Don't Tread on Me" is the sixth song from Metallica's self-titled album, releas… Read Full Bio ↴"Don't Tread on Me" is the sixth song from Metallica's self-titled album, released in 1991. The title is connected with the American Revolutionary War. The words "Don't Tread On Me" constitute motto of the Gadsden flag, and the snake image on the flag is pictured on the cover of the album. The instrumental introduction uses the famous eight bar phrase from "America", a popular song from the musical and film West Side Story. The lyrics also feature a reference to American Revolutionary Patrick Henry's famous quote "give me liberty or give me death" with the line "liberty or death, what we so proudly hail." The song reached #21 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks in the United States, despite never being released as a single there.

Don't Tread on Me
Metallica Lyrics

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Don't tread on me
I said, don't tread on me
Liberty or death, what we so proudly hail
Once you provoke her, rattling of her tail
Never begins it, never, but once engaged
Never surrenders, showing the fangs of rage
I said don't tread on me

So be it
Threaten no more
To secure peace is to prepare for war
So be it
Settle the score
Touch me again for the words that you'll hear evermore
Hey
Don't tread on me

Love it or leave it, she with the deadly bite
Quick is the blue tongue, forked as lighting strike
Shining with brightness, always on surveillance
The eyes, they never close, emblem of vigilance
Ooh no, no, no don't tread on me

So be it
Threaten no more
To secure peace is to prepare for war
So be it
Settle the score
Touch me again for the words that you'll hear evermore
Don't tread on me

So be it
Threaten no more
To secure peace is to prepare for war
Liberty or death, what we so proudly hail
Once you provoke her, rattling on her tail

So be it
Threaten no more
To secure peace is to prepare for war
So be it
Settle the score

Touch me again for the words that you'll hear evermore
Don't tread on me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Don't Tread on Me" by Metallica are filled with deep political and social commentary. The song's central theme is about freedom and the desire for self-defense, symbolized by the Gadsden flag, which is often associated with the American Revolution. The full statement of the flag is "Don't Tread on Me" and the serpent represents the willingness to defend liberty at all cost.

The opening lines, "Don't Tread on Me, I said, don't tread on me," displays a strong warning, warning others not to trample upon the sanctity of freedom. The lyrics explore the concepts of liberty and war and implies that national peace can only be established by preparing for war. Meanwhile, "Love it or leave it, she with the deadly bite, quick is the blue tongue, forked as lightning strike, shining with brightness, always on surveillance, the eyes, they never close, emblem of vigilance" refers to a country with eyes always watching and alert, ever-vigilant in guarding its freedom.

All in all, "Don't Tread on Me" is a call to arms - a warning to anyone who dares to threaten freedom. It is a song of empowerment for those who feel oppressed and powerless to resist. Metallica's "Don't Tread on Me" highlights the importance of individual freedom and the need to protect it by any means necessary.

Line by Line Meaning

Don't tread on me
Do not interfere with me

I said, don't tread on me
I have already warned you not to interfere with me

Liberty or death, what we so proudly hail
We value our freedom as much as we cherish life

Once you provoke her, rattling of her tail
Once you provoke me, I will make my presence known

Never begins it, never, but once engaged
I do not start fights, but I will defend myself once provoked

Never surrenders, showing the fangs of rage
I will never give up and will show my fierce determination to win

I said don't tread on me
I repeat, do not interfere with me

So be it
Let it happen

Threaten no more
Stop making threats

To secure peace is to prepare for war
To achieve peace, one must be ready to fight

Settle the score
Resolve the issue