Versions

Don't Tread on Me
Metallica Lyrics

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

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: James Alan Hetfield, Lars Ulrich

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on specific lyrics, highlight them

"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 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.