The Trooper – English Lyrics

• By: Iron Maiden
• Album: Piece Of Mind

Lyrics & Translation

Immerse yourself in the thunderous charge of Iron Maiden's iconic "The Trooper"! This heavy metal classic, with its galloping rhythms and vivid storytelling, offers a unique gateway to understanding English through historical narrative and powerful, evocative lyrics. Discover how a song can make history come alive, making it a truly special piece for language learners and music enthusiasts alike.

[English]

You'll take my life, but I'll take yours too

You'll fire your musket, but I'll run you through

So when you're waiting for the next attack

You'd better stand, there's no turning back

The bugle sounds, the charge begins

But on this battlefield, no one wins

The smell of acrid smoke and horses' breath

As I plunge on into certain death

The horse, he sweats with fear, we break to run

The mighty roar of the Russian guns

And as we race towards the human wall

The screams of pain as my comrades fall

We hurdle bodies that lay on the ground

And the Russians fire another round

We get so near, yet so far away

We won't live to fight another day

...

We get so close, near enough to fight

When a Russian gets me in his sights

He pulls the trigger and I feel the blow

A burst of rounds take my horse below

And as I lay there gazing at the sky

My body's numb and my throat is dry

And as I lay forgotten and alone

Without a tear, I draw my parting groan

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
attack /əˈtæk/ B1	noun - an aggressive act against an enemy verb - to take aggressive action against someone or something
charge /tʃɑːrdʒ/ B2	noun - an attack in battle, especially a rapid advance against the enemy verb - to rush forward in order to attack
battlefield /ˈbætlfɪˌliːd/ C1	noun - a place where a battle occurs
guns /ɡʌnz/ A2	noun - firearms used for shooting bullets
smoke /smoʊk/ A2	noun - visible suspension of carbon or other particles in the air, typically due to combustion
horse /hɔːrs/ A2	noun - a large domesticated mammal used for riding or work
fear /fɪər/ B1	noun - an unpleasant emotion caused by danger or threat
death /dɛθ/ B2	noun - the end of life
pain /peɪn/ B1	noun - physical suffering or discomfort
sea /siː/ A2	noun - a large body of salt water
blood /blʌd/ B2	noun - the red liquid that circulates in the arteries and veins
mighty /ˈmaɪti/ C1	adjective - possessing great power or strength

Key Grammar Structures

• You'll take my life, but I'll take yours too

  ➔ Future Simple Tense

  ➔ The phrase "You'll take" indicates a future action.

• You'd better stand, there's no turning back

  ➔ Modal Verbs (should)

  ➔ The phrase "You'd better" suggests a strong recommendation.

• The bugle sounds, the charge begins

  ➔ Present Simple Tense

  ➔ The phrase "The bugle sounds" describes a habitual action.

• The smell of acrid smoke and horses' breath

  ➔ Noun Phrase

  ➔ The phrase "The smell of acrid smoke" is a noun phrase describing a sensory experience.

• We won't live to fight another day

  ➔ Future Simple Tense (negative)

  ➔ The phrase "We won't live" indicates a future action that will not happen.

• He pulls the trigger and I feel the blow

  ➔ Present Simple Tense

  ➔ The phrase "He pulls the trigger" describes a current action.

• Without a tear, I draw my parting groan

  ➔ Prepositional Phrase

  ➔ The phrase "Without a tear" is a prepositional phrase indicating a condition.