Bodies fill the fields I see, hungry heroes end
No one to play soldier now, no one to pretend
Running blind through killing fields, bred to kill them all
Victim of what said should be
A servant 'til I fall

Soldier boy, made of clay
Now an empty shell
Twenty one, only son
But he served us well
Bred to kill, not to care
Do just as we say
Finished here, greetings death
He's yours to take away

Back to the front
You will do what I say, when I say
Back to the front
You will die when I say, you must die
Back to the front
You coward
You servant
You blind man

Barking of machine gun fire, does nothing to me now
Sounding of the clock that ticks, get used to it somehow
More a man, more stripes you bare, glory seeker trends
Bodies fill the fields I see
The slaughter never ends

Soldier boy, made of clay
Now an empty shell
Twenty one, only son
But he served us well
Bred to kill, not to care
Do just as we say
Finished here, greetings death
He's yours to take away

Back to the front
You will do what I say, when I say
Back to the front
You will die when I say, you must die
Back to the front
You coward
You servant
You blind man

Why, am I dying?
Kill, have no fear
Lie, live off lying
Hell, hell is here

Why, am I dying?
Kill, have no fear
Lie, live off lying
Hell, hell is here
I was born for dying

Life planned out before my birth, nothing could I say
Had no chance to see myself, molded day by day
Looking back I realize, nothing have I done
Left to die with only friend
Alone I clench my gun

Soldier boy, made of clay
Now an empty shell
Twenty one, only son
But he served us well
Bred to kill, not to care
Do just as we say
Finished here, greetings death
He's yours to take away

Back to the front
You will do what I say, when I say
Back to the front
You will die when I say, you must die
Back to the front
You coward
You servant
You blind man

Back to the front
Back to the front
Back to the front
Back to the front
Back to the front


Lyrics submitted by nikuku, edited by RyanWolfeh, Ashram, theniceguyhere, LHGL

Disposable Heroes Lyrics as written by Kirk L. Hammett James Alan Hetfield

Lyrics © Word Collections Publishing

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Disposable Heroes song meanings
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90 Comments

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  • +5
    General Comment

    This is about how many people go into war with the desire to be heroic. In reality, most of them are an expendable commodity, used and abused for their ruler's ends.

    Jigokusabreon April 12, 2002   Link
  • +4
    Song Meaning

    This is a great song, in both the instruments and lyrics. I think it describes how joining the military is made to look so heroic and respectful to your country, but once you're out on the battlefield, nothing matters but yourself. The government doesn't care if you live or die, they just want you to do their bidding at your expense. Of course, this doesn't mean that you are ignorant for joining the armed forces, I still think it is very respectable, and I'm not taling about the U.S. government in particular.

    TheMasterOfPuppetson November 09, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This song is about how war is glorified when, in reality, every soldier is a hero. And war isn't as 'cool' or glamorous as some people make it out to be.

    nemesison April 10, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    It seems as though it is talking about how respectable soldiers and men who just wanted to serve their country are being used just to fight for a government who veiws them as just a disposable resource, hence the name disposable heroes.

    MattAffterburnon April 18, 2018   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    kinda the same as no remorse...how war shatters innocence and lives "Barking of machinegun fire, does nothing to me now" see what i mean about shattered innocence? how much more shattered can you get?

    hell_i_call_my_headon April 16, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I love this song because our government feeds us propaganda from the time we're born to think that being a soldier is so glamorous, but in reality the government doesn't give a shit out of any of us and every soldier is really just a disposable tool the buereaucratic machine exploits to get more money and then just throws it away, because there is an endless supply of disposable heroes. We all need to escape the governments mind control over us and think for ourselves. Just ask yourself what you're fighting for? Is it worth your life to maintain safety and prosperity for the rich and greedy? For the ones that make you 50 hours a week, holding a shitty wage over your head, and controlling your life with a dollar bill. The fact that they attempt to screw you in every situation possible? America brainwashes us to think we're fighting to maintain the great American way of life, but the "great American life" is a life of slavery.

    MrMojoRisin5552on May 03, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Its about war in which the soldiers are just sent out to the front to die. There are so many soldiers that one death doesnt matter. BACK TO THE FRONT!

    DisposableHeroon May 11, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This is one of my all-time favorite songs from Metallica. It's fast, heavy and has deep meaning. I think this song talks about war and soldiers. This song is graphically stating images that a soldier sees in war and how it changes him along the way. Also, it shows the effects of drafting someone into the services and making them "bred to kill, not to care. Just do as we(government) say" Great song.

    Mheadon July 31, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song closes the mouth of all who say metallica have to deep meaning. Not like all the pop songs who talk about love and love and love. This is reality. I am not sure but the song can be against Bietnam

    4saken4on August 05, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    The song is about war in general I think. It could be ww1, ww2, korea, vietnam or any other modern conflict.

    weaselfierceon August 22, 2002   Link

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