Alexander The Great
Iron Maiden · Eddie: Head Box [13 Cds] [1998]
For that which I leave is to small for thee."
Near to the East, in a part of ancient Greece,
In an ancient land called Macedonia,
Was born a son to Philip of Macedon,
The legend his name was Alexander.
At the age of nineteen, he became the Macedon king,
And swore to free all of Asia Minor,
By the Aegian Sea in 334 BC,
He utterly beat the armies of Persia.
Chorus:
Alexander the Great,
His name struck fear into hearts of men,
Alexander the Great,
Became a legend 'mongst mortal men.
King Darius the third, Defeated fled Persia,
The Scythians fell by the river Jaxartes,
Then Egypt fell to the Macedon king as well,
And he founded the city called Alexandria.
By the Tigris river, he met King Darius again,
And crushed him again in the battle of Arbela,
Entering Babylon and Susa, treasures he found,
Took Persepolis, the capital of Persia.
Chorus:
Alexander the Great,
His name struck fear into hearts of men,
Alexander the Great,
Became a god amongst mortal men.
A Phrygian King had bound a chariot yoke,
And Alexander cut the "Gordian knot",
And legend said that who untied the knot,
He would become the master of Asia.
Helonism he spread far and wide,
The Macedonian learned mind,
Their culture was a western way of life,
He paved the way for Christianity.
Marching on, Marching on.
The battle weary marching side by side,
Alexander's army line by line,
They wouldn't follow him to India,
Tired of the combat, pain and the glory.
Chorus:
Alexander the Great,
His name struck fear into hearts of men,
Alexander the Great,
He died of fever in Babylon.
Alexander The Great
Alexander The Great stands as a powerful example of Iron Maiden's mastery of historical themes within the heavy metal genre. The track showcases the band's signature blend of driving rhythms and soaring melodies, capturing the epic scale of its subject matter through intense instrumentation. As part of their extensive discography, the song reflects the group's ability to weave narrative storytelling into their music, a hallmark of their creative output during this era. The recording highlights the tight interplay between the band members, delivering a sound that is both aggressive and anthemic. This work remains a testament to the band's enduring influence on rock music, appealing to fans who appreciate complex compositions and thematic depth. It serves as a compelling song point for listeners exploring the breadth of Iron Maiden's catalog and their unique approach to songwriting.