Lucky Man

Emerson, Lake & Palmer

He had white horses
And ladies by the score
All dressed in satin
And waiting by the door

Oooh, what a lucky man he was

White lace and feathers
They made up his bed
A gold covered mattress
On which he was laid

He went to fight wars
For his country and his king
Of his honor and his glory
The people would sing

A bullet had found him
His blood ran as he cried
No money could save him
So he laid down and he died





Lyrics submitted by thedanman344

Lucky Man song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

33 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +5
    General Comment
    It's about the harsh realities of life, and just being born on third base doesn't mean you hit a triple, or that you'll make it home.
    inpraiseoffollyon September 14, 2006   Link
  • +4
    General Comment
    I discovered this song during the 80's when my sister worked in a hospital. She had occasion to visit the hospital morgue (in the basement) and told me a few strange, sad tales. For some reason, I got those tales of the morgue associated with this song and every time I hear it, I think "morgue". Sort of a good morgue song, if you must have one... I'm sure, one day, when I'm laying in a morgue, I'll have this song stuck in my head.
    ricksacuraon April 22, 2010   Link
  • +3
    General Comment
    i don't know, to me this sounds like an actual homage to someone who went to fight for something noble, despite already having everything one could dream of. he was rich, wasn't FORCED to fight--he went there 'to fight for his country and his king'. maybe he was naive in believing somehow his luck could save him from a bullet, but in his death he was also lucky, both cause he died for a noble cause and cause he died fast. and today being Veterans day, i plan on singing it at a karaoke :)
    aleks10153on November 12, 2015   Link
  • +2
    General Comment
    It's about a man who has pretty much everything he wants, but in the end, no amount of happiness or wealth can save you from the scorn of war.
    thedanman344on September 25, 2006   Link
  • +2
    General Comment
    First of all, I totally agree with Atemporal. Anyway, this song was written about a nobleman during World War I (I'm asuming he was from England) It shows no matter how much money and beautiful women you have, there is nothing that can save you from death and the cold, hard facts of life. There was two reasons why he was lucky: 1. He had so many riches and wonderful things, and 2. he died swiftly, but sad and horribly. Truly a wonderful, yet sad song. ELP rocks!
    elchido12on September 13, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    Yeah, it is a pretty cool song. And there's a comment for you.
    inpraiseoffollyon September 14, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    I interpret it as irony. The song goes to show how little material things mean in the grand scheme of things. He had all the physical pleasures he could ask for, but in the end he just died crying in the dirt. The line, "No money could save him" I think points towards this interpretation somewhat clearly. He's no lucky man.
    Chard121on November 30, 2011   Link
  • +1
    My Interpretation
    While I can relate to this song as something about being chances and the harsh reality of life, I think you can interpret this song as something very anti-modern. In present times, no one will go to fight for glory. This seems for the most people just stupid. But there where other times when you did go to battle to earn something, and make some experiences, that are just worth living, even if you'll die in these events eventually. So to me, "Lucky Man" is about that. You can read it in the lyrics, if you like, but more importantly, it's in the music and the general more happy and melancholicly tone of it.
    Dohleon August 08, 2014   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    How is it that no one has commented before now? Is this not an awesome song? The guitar in this song is great.
    Major Valoron August 18, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    Best on the album.
    inpraiseoffollyon September 14, 2006   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Zombie
Cranberries, The
"Zombie" is about the ethno-political conflict in Ireland. This is obvious if you know anything of the singer (Dolores O'Riordan)'s Irish heritage and understood the "1916" Easter Rising reference. "Another head hangs lowly Child is slowly taken And the violence caused such silence Who are we mistaken - Another mother's breaking Heart is taking over" Laments the Warrington bomb attacks in which two children were fatally injured on March 23rd, 1993. Twelve year old Tim Parry was taken off life support with permission from his mother after five days in the hospital, virtually braindead. "But you see it's not me It's not my family" References how people who are not directly involved with the violence feel about it. They are "zombies" without sympathy who refuse to take action while others suffer.
Album art
Indigo
Of Mice & Men
This track is about is about questioning why the sky would choose to be blue if it had the choice to be anything else, “blue also meaning sad,” states frontman Aaron Pauley. “It's about comforting a loved one in a time of loss by telling them you feel blue, too.”
Album art
The Last Dance
Within Temptation
@Kahiara Actually I think the husband passed away, "She sang for you last night She heard you were calling" Many people say they have felt, heard, or seen their loved ones after they have passed. "Don't be scared now Close your eyes She holds guard tonight Go on forward no remorse Life will take it's course" This is said to the late husband by a third part (never named), who encourages him to pass on. Because life will eventually continue. The phrase "holds guard" refers to the ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/… ) which is a Christian ceremony held after someone dies. Now it is usually held right after the funeral, but in most celtiic countries the wake is held before the funeral. "She danced with you last night so you will remember All you have shared, a lifetime." This sentence feels as if the only thing it wants to convey is their history together, namely, husband and wife. For the rest it just refers back to the first verse.
Album art
Muffin
KIITA
This standout track comes off the artist's latest studio album titled "empathetic". The track was produced by Danny Score and released via notable digital streaming platforms such as Apple Music and Spotify on January 1, 2021.
Album art
Keep My Name Outta Your Mouth
Black Keys, The
This standout track comes off the artiste's latest reissue titled "Brothers Deluxe Remastered 10th Anniversary Edition". The track was produced by Mark Neill, Patrick Carney & Dan Auerbach. It was released via major streaming platforms on December 18, 2020.