Battleborne
Two Steps from Hell Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh, there is fire in the air that I'm breathing
There is blood where the battles rage
These are faces I will not remember
Will I fight for the queen or the slave?
A treacherous part, to play with a heart, of courage

Where the wind from the north bodes the dragon
And the armies and legions have formed
We have camp for the night, food and cover
Fading ghosts in the shadows of war

Battleborne
Battleborne
Battleborne
Battleborne

Gone, are the villagers led out to pasture
The black wing of death as their liege
Felt the ground It was bare from the plunder
The soldiers that lie at my feet
The maidens were lost, wading across, an ocean

On a ship heading south to the mainland
I am standing in way of the storm
I was raised by the wolf and the stallion
This sword was battle born

Battleborne
Battleborne




Battleborne
Battleborne

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Battleborne" by Two Steps from Hell are vivid and descriptive, presenting imagery of people and places impacted by war. The opening lines convey a sense of danger and intensity with the declaration that there is "fire in the air" and "blood where the battles rage". The singer suggests that they are in the midst of a conflict they may not survive, evident in their wistful statement that they may not recall the faces they see in battle. The following line highlights the central tension of the song: the choice between fighting for the queen or slave. This decision is "treacherous" because of the stakes and complexities that come with it, as well as the emotions involved.


The second verse continues to depict scenes of war with reference to a dragon, armies, and fading ghosts. The chorus of "Battleborne" repeats the title phrase, drawing attention to the theme of the song and its overarching message that battles can change people and leave an indelible mark on their lives. The third verse highlights the losses incurred in wars, with descriptions of villages devastated and soldiers and maidens lost. The final lines of the verse introduce the singer's backstory as a warrior who was "raised by the wolf and the stallion" and whose sword was "battle-born". This phrase reaffirms the theme of the song as it encapsulates the idea that battles can shape people's identities and determine their path in life.


* Interesting facts:
1. "Battleborne" was featured in the trailer for the 2019 video game "Rage 2".
2. Two Steps from Hell is an American production music company founded by composers Nick Phoenix and Thomas J. Bergersen, known for their music in various movie trailers and video games.
3. The song was featured in the finale of the NBC reality competition show "World of Dance" in 2019.
4. "Battleborne" was also used in the trailer for the 2017 science fiction movie "Alien: Covenant".
5. Two Steps from Hell's music has been used in a number of television shows, including "The Voice", "America's Got Talent", and "Dancing with the Stars".
6. The company's name is derived from the idea that they make music for trailers and commercials that "sell a story" or "sell a dream".
7. Two Steps from Hell has produced over 1,000 tracks since its founding in 2006.
8. The company has collaborated with various musicians and orchestras, including the London Philharmonic and the Norwegian Radio Orchestra.
9. Some other notable uses of Two Steps from Hell's music include in the trailers for "The Hobbit" movie series, "Interstellar", and the video game "Mass Effect 3".
10. The composers of Two Steps from Hell often blend orchestral and electronic elements in their music to create a unique sound that has become popular in the trailer music industry.


* Chords (as performed on piano):
Intro/Outro: F#m - C#m - A - E
Verse: F#m - C#m - A - E
Chorus: D - A - E - F#m (x2)


Line by Line Meaning

Oh, there is fire in the air that I'm breathing
I feel the tension and intensity of the battle around me


There is blood where the battles rage
The fighting is violent and deadly


These are faces I will not remember
The soldiers around me are strangers, and their faces will fade from memory


Will I fight for the queen or the slave?
I am unsure of who I am fighting for, and what the ultimate purpose of this war is


A treacherous part, to play with a heart, of courage
It is challenging to remain brave and honorable in the midst of such chaos and uncertainty


Where the wind from the north bodes the dragon
The natural forces of this world seem to foretell the coming of a great danger


And the armies and legions have formed
The opposing sides in the conflict have taken their positions and are ready for battle


We have camp for the night, food and cover
Even in war, we must rest and take care of our basic needs


Fading ghosts in the shadows of war
The memories of fallen soldiers haunt us, as we continue to fight on


Gone, are the villagers led out to pasture
Innocent civilians have been taken or killed, leaving their homes empty and silent


The black wing of death as their liege
Their leader is a symbol of darkness and evil, bringing only death and destruction


Felt the ground It was bare from the plunder
The enemy has wreaked havoc on this land, taking everything worth taking


The soldiers that lie at my feet
The enemy has been defeated, but at a great cost


The maidens were lost, wading across, an ocean
Even those who survived the battle may never fully recover from the trauma they have experienced


On a ship heading south to the mainland
I am leaving this war and this land behind, hoping to find a new life elsewhere


I am standing in way of the storm
I am strong enough to face any challenge that may come my way


I was raised by the wolf and the stallion
I have become resilient and independent, capable of surviving in even the harshest conditions


This sword was battle born
My weapon is a symbol of my strength and courage, forged through the trials of war


Battleborne
I have been shaped and defined by the battles I have fought


Battleborne
I carry the scars and memories of war with me


Battleborne
But even through it all, I remain strong and determined


Battleborne
For I am a warrior, and I will always be ready to fight for what I believe in




Contributed by Jeremiah F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@TaezLevi

Oh
There is fire in the air that I'm breathing
There is blood where the battles rage
These are faces I will not remember
Will I fight for the Queen or the slave?
A treacherous part to play with our heart of courage
Where the wind from the north blows the dragon
And the armies and legions have fought
We have camp for the night, for the cover
Fading ghosts in the shadows of war

Battleborn
Battleborn
Battleborn
Battleborn

Gone
are the villagers, lead out of pasture
The black wing of death as their leige
Felt the ground, it was bare from the plunder
Soldiers that lie at my feet
The maidens were lost, waiting across an ocean
On a ship heading south to the mainland
I am standing in wait of the storm
I was raised by the wolf and the stallion
This sword was battleborn

Battleborn
Battleborn
Battleborn
Battleborn



@TachiTekmo

"Battleborne"

Performed by Two Steps From Hell with vocals by Nick Phoenix
Written and composed by Nick Phoenix
Produced by Thomas J. Bergersen and Nick Phoenix
From the album Battlecry (Disc 2, Track 1)
Published by Two Steps From Hell ℗ 2015

[0:00 - Fanfare]

(Choir; chants)

[1:05 - Intro]

(Choir; vocals)

Ahh, ahh, ah-ahh
Ahh, ahh, ahh

Ahh, ahh, ah-ahh
Ah-ahh!

[1:30 - Verse 1]

Oh!

There is fire in the air that I'm breathing
There is blood where the battles rage
These are faces I will not remember
Will I fight for the Queen or the Slave?

The treacherous part to play with a heart of courage ...

[2:08 - Verse 2]

Where the wind from the North bodes the dragon
And the armies and legions have formed
We have camped for the night; food and cover
Fading ghosts in the shadows of war

[2:34 - Chorus]

Battleborne!
Battleborne!
Battleborne!
Battleborne!

[3:00 - Verse 3]

Gone!

All the villagers led out to pasture
The black wing of Death as their liege
Felt the ground; it was bare from the plunder
The soldiers that lie at my feet

The maidens were lost wading across an ocean ...

[3:37 - Verse 4]

On a ship heading south to the mainland
I am standing in wait of the storm
I was raised by the Wolf and the Stallion
This sword was Battleborne

[4:03 - Chorus]

Battleborne!
Battleborne!
Battleborne!
Battleborne!

[4:29 - Coda]

(Soloist; vocals)

Na na na-nah, na-nah
Na na na-nah, na-nah
Ahh ...



@anialator1000000

I just realized that a large amount of these lyrics sound like they could be song names by TSFH.
"for the queen or slave"
"armies and legions"
"shadows of war"
"black wing of death"
"lay at my feet"
"to the mainland"
"wade across an ocean"
"in the way of a storm"
"the wolf and the stallion"

though especially
"heart of courage"



@bvd_vlvd

To all who DON'T think that Nick ruined the music:There is fire in the air that I’m breathing 
There is blood where the battle’s rage 
These are faces I will not remember 
Will I fight for the Queen or the Slave

A treacherous part to play with our heart of courage
Where the wind from the north bows the dragon
And the armies and legions have formed
We have camp for the night through the cover
Fading ghosts in the shadows of war

Battleborne, battleborne, battleborne, battleborne

Gone, all the villagers lead out to pasture
The black wing of death as their liege 
Felt the ground; it was bare from the plunder
The soldiers that lie at my feet

The maidens were lost wading across an ocean 
On a ship heading south to the mainland
I am standing in wake of the storm
I was raised by the Wolf and the Stallion
This sword was battleborne

Battleborne, battleborne, battleborne, battleborne



@airyt2373

Para los Españolesxd
[verso 1]
Oh
Hay fuego en el aire que estoy respirando
Hay sangre donde rabian las batallas
Estas son caras que no recordaré
¿Lucharé por la reina o el esclavo?

Una parte traicionera
Para jugar con un corazón de coraje
Donde el viento del norte presagia el dragón
Y los ejércitos y legiones se han formado
Tenemos campamento para la noche, la comida y la tapa
Fantasmas desvaídos en las sombras de la guerra

[Coro]
Battleborne
Battleborne
Battleborne
Battleborne

[versículo 2]
Ido
Todos los aldeanos salieron a pastar
El ala negra de la muerte como su señor
Sentí el suelo, estaba desnudo del saqueo
Soldados que yacen a mis pies

Las doncellas se perdieron
Vadeando un océano
En un barco que se dirige hacia el sur hasta el continente
Estoy parado a raíz de la tormenta
Fui criado por el lobo y el semental
Esta espada fue una batalla

[Coro]
Battleborne
Battleborne
Battleborne
Battleborne



All comments from YouTube:

@michaelmeissner7545

At first, being a choir singer, I couldn't stand way Nick sings the titular lyric, but in time... it'd be cliche to say it grew on me, but I think it finally sunk in just what feelings he's trying to get across. He sounds like a warrior turned folk bard, and not some professional classically trained singer. It just... finally hit me how much more that adds to the emotional impact. I approve

@keslerjenkins9683

Exactly! The more unrefined vocal performance give's it a more personal edge to it befitting about a song revolving around the cries of a battle torn warrior

@derekbates4316

and knowing is half the battle

@TaezLevi

Oh
There is fire in the air that I'm breathing
There is blood where the battles rage
These are faces I will not remember
Will I fight for the Queen or the slave?
A treacherous part to play with our heart of courage
Where the wind from the north blows the dragon
And the armies and legions have fought
We have camp for the night, for the cover
Fading ghosts in the shadows of war

Battleborn
Battleborn
Battleborn
Battleborn

Gone
are the villagers, lead out of pasture
The black wing of death as their leige
Felt the ground, it was bare from the plunder
Soldiers that lie at my feet
The maidens were lost, waiting across an ocean
On a ship heading south to the mainland
I am standing in wait of the storm
I was raised by the wolf and the stallion
This sword was battleborn

Battleborn
Battleborn
Battleborn
Battleborn

@CourtlySeaDog

+redshades that's kinda depressing actually lol

@ev8om

"where the wind from the north "blows" the dragon"
LOL

@mischiviousteefmonster3900

its means the dragon blows the wind that comes from the north you senseless drone

@ev8om

Mad Donut No shit Sherlock, I was just kidding

@davidvidal-hall6391

+420 Steps From Hell Yea the official lyric video says that

9 More Replies...

@MatheusSilva777

You can feel the epic atmosphere of this music in your soul!

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