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The Thin Red Line Lyrics
You'd better sleep with your rifle
Keep your powder dry
You'll be fighting for your country
See the colours fly
They'll be coming in the morning boys
You gotta hold the line
You're the men from Harloch
You'll be standing proud
You're the Queen's light infantry
Sing out loud
They'll be coming in the morning boys
You gotta hold the line
You came for the glory
To fight and to die
You stood in the thin red line
Remember the heroes
When stories are told
They died in the thin red line
In the thin red line
Stand steady in the ranks boys
You gotta hold your fire
We'll show 'em what we're made of
When they hit the wire
They'll be coming in the morning boys
You gotta hold the line
You'll be thinking of your loved ones
That you left back there
Then the sound of the bugle
Cuts the cool night air
They'll be coming in the morning boys
You gotta hold the line
You came for the glory
To fight and to die
You stood in the thin red line
Remember the heroes
When stories are told
They died in the thin red line
In the thin red line
Now you lay with your comrades
Far across the sea
Where you're fighting for the Empire
Did you die for me
They'll be coming in the morning boys
You gotta hold the line
You'd better sleep with your rifle
Keep your powder dry
You'll be fighting for your country
See the colours fly
They'll be coming in the morning boys
You gotta hold the line
You came for the glory
To fight and to die
You stood in the thin red line
Remember the heroes (remember the heroes)
When stories are told
They died in the thin red line
You came for the glory (you came for the glory)
To fight and to die
You stood in the thin red line
Remember the heroes (remember the heroes)
When stories are told
They died in the thin red line
In the thin red line
Keep your powder dry
You'll be fighting for your country
See the colours fly
They'll be coming in the morning boys
You gotta hold the line
You'll be standing proud
You're the Queen's light infantry
Sing out loud
They'll be coming in the morning boys
You gotta hold the line
To fight and to die
You stood in the thin red line
Remember the heroes
When stories are told
They died in the thin red line
In the thin red line
You gotta hold your fire
We'll show 'em what we're made of
When they hit the wire
They'll be coming in the morning boys
You gotta hold the line
That you left back there
Then the sound of the bugle
Cuts the cool night air
They'll be coming in the morning boys
You gotta hold the line
To fight and to die
You stood in the thin red line
Remember the heroes
When stories are told
They died in the thin red line
In the thin red line
Far across the sea
Where you're fighting for the Empire
Did you die for me
They'll be coming in the morning boys
You gotta hold the line
Keep your powder dry
You'll be fighting for your country
See the colours fly
They'll be coming in the morning boys
You gotta hold the line
To fight and to die
You stood in the thin red line
Remember the heroes (remember the heroes)
When stories are told
They died in the thin red line
To fight and to die
You stood in the thin red line
Remember the heroes (remember the heroes)
When stories are told
They died in the thin red line
In the thin red line
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This song talks of the bravery and sacrifices of soldiers who stood together to defend their country. It also mentions Harloch, referencing the British fighting the Zulu Kingdom in the 1879 Anglo-Zulu War. The "thin red line" refers to the soldiers' position on the frontline, the men who face death first, which is a symbolic representation of the dire circumstances they face. They encourage listeners to remember these heroes and their sacrifices as stories of their valor are told. In this situation, soldiers are urged to hold their fire until the enemy approaches. The bugle call signals the impending morning attack, increasing tension, and reaffirms the soldiers' resolve to hold the line. It also highlights the emotional aspect of war, as the fallen soldiers are reminded of their loved ones back home. It questions whether their fight was for the Empire or a personal cause, exploring the nature and purpose of war.
Overall, the song stands as a tribute to the brave soldiers of war, especially the ones who stood first to face the enemy in direct combat. Most if not all would die, far away from their loved ones, left to reminisce about their cherished memories
Jesus, this song is so sad. Great bluesy riff, I could listen to a 20-minute version. But in the end, I just think of the brave heroes who did what was right and fought for something greater than themselves.
When I look around me, at the Gameboy playing, iPhone texting, Taco Bell eating, DVD watching children who take for granted all the freedoms and options and choices, I wonder if they ever think twice about the ones who came before to fight and defend western civilization.
Ah, Saxon is almost a pejorative at this point in our time, but the band is a cut above and I love this song's feel and message.
Song is about the British fighting the Zulu Kingdom in the 1879 Anglo-Zulu War; perhaps specifically about Rorke's Drift ('You're the men from Harloch, You are standing proud'). The reference to the 'Queen's light infantry' is suspect, as is the line 'when they hit the (barbed?) wire'. 'Wall' makes more sense for the time period.