40– English Lyrics

• By: Sabaton
• Album: The Art Of War

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the power of storytelling through music with Sabaton's "40:1." This song is a perfect gateway to learning about a pivotal moment in Polish history and the spirit of its people. The clear, powerful lyrics in English make it easy to follow the narrative of the Battle of Wizna, a story of incredible bravery against all odds. Learning the story behind the song offers a unique and engaging way to connect with the historical events and the defiant emotion that inspired this heavy metal epic.

[English]

SABATON - 40: 1 (Official Music Video)

[CROWD] SABATON, SABATON, SABATON, SABATON!

......40 to 1

Baptized in fire

40 to 1

So silent before the storm,

Awaiting command!

A few has been chosen to stand,

As one outnumbered by far

The orders from high command:

"Fight back, hold your ground!"

In early September it came:

A war, unknown to the world!

No army may enter that land

That is protected by polish hand!

Unless your are forty to one!

Your force will soon be undone,

UNDONE!

Baptised in fire! Forty to one!

Spirit of Spartans!

Death and glory!

Soldiers of Poland,

Second to none!

Wrath of the Wehrmacht

brought to a halt!

The 8th of September it starts,

The rage of the Reich!

A barrage of mortars and guns.

Stand fast, the bunkers will hold!

The captain has pledged his life:

"I’ll face my fate here!"

The sound of artillery strikes

So fierce, the thunder of guns

So come, bring on all that you’ve got!

Come hell, come high water never stop!

Unless you are forty to one,

Your lives will soon be undone,

UNDONE!

Baptised in fire! 40 to 1!

Spirit of Spartans

Death and glory!

Soldiers of Poland,

Second to none!

Wrath of the Wehrmacht

brought to a halt!

Always remember

a fallen soldier!

Always remember

fathers and sons at war!

Always remember

a fallen soldier!

Always remember

fathers and sons at war!

Always remember

a fallen soldier!

Always remember

buried in history!

No vermin may enter that land

That is protected by Polish hand!

Unless you are forty to one,

Your force will soon be undone,

UNDONE!!!

Baptised in fire, Forty to one!

Spirit of Spartans,

Death and glory!

Soldiers of Poland,

Second to none!

Wrath of the Wehrmacht

brought to a halt!

NO!

NO!

NO!

...

He writes and translates into several languages: Joachim Moczko.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
fire /ˈfaɪər/ A1	noun - a process that produces heat, light, and smoke when something burns verb - to discharge a weapon
storm /stɔːrm/ A2	noun - a violent disturbance of the atmosphere with strong winds and usually rain, thunder, lightning, or snow
command /kəˈmænd/ B1	noun - an authoritative order verb - to give an authoritative order
fight /faɪt/ A1	verb - to take part in a violent struggle involving physical force or weapons. noun - a violent confrontation or struggle.
hold /hoʊld/ A1	verb - to grasp, carry, or support with one's hands verb - to keep or maintain
war /wɔːr/ A2	noun - a state of armed conflict between different countries or different groups within a country
army /ˈɑːrmi/ A2	noun - an organized military force equipped for fighting on land
land /lænd/ A1	noun - the part of the earth's surface that is not permanently covered by water, as opposed to the sea or the air.
force /fɔːrs/ B1	noun - strength or energy as an attribute of physical action or movement.
spirit /ˈspɪrɪt/ B1	noun - the nonphysical part of a person, especially the mind, feelings, or character.
death /deθ/ A2	noun - the end of the life of a person or organism
glory /ˈɡlɔːri/ B2	noun - high renown or honor won by notable achievements.
soldiers /ˈsoʊldʒərz/ A2	noun - a person serving in an army
wrath /ræθ/ C1	noun - extreme anger
rage /reɪdʒ/ B2	noun - violent, uncontrollable anger.
mortars /ˈmɔːrtərz/ B2	noun - a short, smoothbore gun for firing shells at high angles.
guns /ɡʌnz/ A2	noun - a weapon incorporating a metal tube from which bullets, shells, or other missiles are fired by explosive force, typically making a loud report.
bunkers /ˈbʌŋkərz/ B1	noun - a reinforced underground shelter, typically for use in wartime.
fallen /ˈfɔːlən/ B1	adjective - having dropped down from an upright position.

Key Grammar Structures

• A few has been chosen to stand

  ➔ Subject-verb agreement with collective nouns. 'Few' is treated as plural here, requiring a plural verb 'have been'.

  ➔ Although "few" refers to a small number, it's treated as plural. Thus, the verb should be "have" instead of "has". The phrase "have been chosen" indicates a passive voice construction. The "to stand" is an infinitive phrase.

• Unless you are forty to one, Your force will soon be undone

  ➔ Conditional sentence type 1 (real/possible condition). "Unless" introduces a negative condition. Future simple tense ('will be undone') in the main clause.

  ➔ The "unless" clause sets a condition. If the condition (being outnumbered 40 to 1) isn't met, the main clause outcome (your force being defeated) will occur. "Will be undone" is a passive construction in the future tense.

• A barrage of mortars and guns. Stand fast, the bunkers will hold!

  ➔ Imperative mood ("Stand fast"). Future simple tense ("will hold") expressing a prediction or certainty.

  ➔ "Stand fast" is a direct order or command. "Will hold" indicates a belief or expectation about the future.

• So come, bring on all that you’ve got!

  ➔ Imperative mood ("come", "bring on"). Present perfect tense (you've got) used to express possession or availability.

  ➔ "Come" and "bring on" are both commands. "You've got" is a contracted form of "you have got", which in this context means "all that you possess or can use effectively."

• Wrath of the Wehrmacht brought to a halt!

  ➔ Past participle used as an adjective ("brought to a halt"). Passive voice implied. The subject (wrath of Wehrmacht) had something done to it.

  ➔ "Brought to a halt" describes the state of the Wehrmacht's wrath. It implies that something or someone stopped it. A more complete sentence would be "The wrath of the Wehrmacht was brought to a halt."