Led Zeppelin Immigrant Song

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Led Zeppelin Immigrant Song

Led Zeppelin Immigrant Song

Hard Rock Music

A stirring Viking saga indeed. The sound from this song had folks referring to it as the “Hammer of the Gods.” The inspiration for the song, the story goes, is that Led Zeppelin was on tour during 1970 in Iceland, Bath, and Germany. They opened in Reykjavik, Iceland, and had a great response there. It made them feel that they had come from the land of ice and snow  ready to conquer the western shore’s soft fields of green by the time they arrived in Bath. The song was written by Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, and they performed it for the first time at the Bath Festival.

“Immigrant Song” was released on Led Zeppelin’s 1970 album Led Zeppelin III. They are more an album-oriented band, but this was also released as a single, backed with “Hey, Hey, What Can I Do.” The first pressings of the U.S. single have the quote  from writer and occultists Aleister Crowley “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law” inscribed in dead wax in the run-out groove. The song has appeared on numerous live albums and compilations.

In 1970-1971, “Immigrant Song” charted internationally. It went to #16 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and was in the Top 20 in Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Japan, The Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, and Switzerland.

On the track were Robert Plant (vocals), Jimmy Page (guitar), John Paul Jones (bass guitar), and John Bonham (drums).  Led Zeppelin formed in London in 1968 and disbanded in 1980. However, various members have been active in the music business.

Here are the lyrics to “Immigrant Song” by Led Zeppelin :

Ah-ah, ah!
Ah-ah, ah!

We come from the land of the ice and snow
From the midnight sun, where the hot springs flow
The hammer of the gods
We’ll drive our ships to new lands
To fight the horde, and sing and cry
Valhalla, I am coming!

On we sweep with threshing oar
Our only goal will be the western shore

Ah-ah, ah!
Ah-ah, ah!

We come from the land of the ice and snow
From the midnight sun where the hot springs flow
How soft your fields so green
Can whisper tales of gore
Of how we calmed the tides of war
We are your overlords

On we sweep with threshing oar
Our only goal will be the western shore

So now you’d better stop and rebuild all your ruins
For peace and trust can win the day despite of all your losing

Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh…

For another song by Led Zeppelin: “Whole Lotta Love.”

For More 70s Tunes

The System has daily featured music from all sorts of genres of 1970s music. You’re welcome to listen to any of the 40+ selections in The System. Thank you for stopping by. Hope you enjoyed “Immigrant Song” by Led Zeppelin.

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