Empire of the Clouds

Iron Maiden

About Empire of the Clouds

"Empire of the Clouds" is a song by the English heavy metal band Iron Maiden from their sixteenth studio album, The Book of Souls. The song was issued as a single on 16 April 2016, tying in with Record Store Day.


Year:
2016
18:01
144 
#2

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To ride the storm, to an empire of the clouds
To ride the storm, they climbed aboard their silver ghost
To ride the storm, to a kingdom that will come
To ride the storm, and damn the rest, oblivion

Royalty and dignitaries, brandy and cigars
Related giant of the skies, you hold them in your arms
The millionth chance they laughed, to take down his majesty's craft
To India they say, magic carpet float away, an October fateful day

Mist is in the trees, stone sweats with the dew
The morning sunrise, red before the blue
Hanging at the mast, waiting for command
His majesty's airship, the r101

She's the biggest vessel built by man, a giant of the skies
For all you unbelievers, the Titanic fits inside
Drum rolled tight, a canvas skin, silvered in the sun
Never tested with the fury, with a beating yet to come

The fury yet to come

In the gathering gloom, a storm rising in the west
The coxswain stared into the
We must go now, we must take our chance with fate
We must go now, for the politicians he can't be late
The airship crew awake for thirty hours at full stretch,
But the ship is in their backbone, every sinew, every inch

She never flew at full speed, a trial never done
A fragile outer cover, her achilles would become

An achilles yet to come

Sailors of the sky, a hardened breed
Loyal to the king, and an airship creed

The engines drum, the telegraph sounds
Release the cords that bind us to the ground
Said the coxswain, sir, she's heavy, she'll never make this flight
Said the captain, damn the cargo, we'll be on our way tonight
Groundsmen cheered in wonder, as she backed up from the mast
Baptising with her water, from the ballast fore and aft

Now she slips into our past

Feeling the wind as it blows you
Feeling the beams as they pass you along
Watching the channel below you
Lower and lower, into the night

Lights are passing below you
Northern France, asleep in their beds
Storm is raging around you
A million to one, that's what he said

Reaper standing beside you
Wind inside cuts to the bone
Panicked to make a decision
Experienced men, asleep in their graves

The cover is ripped and she's flooding
Rain is flooding into the hold
Bleeding to death and she's falling
Lifting gas is draining away

We're down lads, came a cry, bow plunging from the sky
Three thousand horses silent as the ship began to die
The flares to guide her path ignited at the last
The empire of the clouds, just ashes in our past
Just ashes at the last

Here lie their dreams as they stand in the sun
On the ground where they built, and the engines they run
To the moon and the stars, now what have we done?
Oh the dreamers may die, but the dreams live on

Dreams live on
Dreams live on
Ooh

Now a shadow on a hill, the angel of the east
The empire of the clouds may rest in peace
And in a country churchyard, laid head to the mast
1840 souls, who came to die in france

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Iron Maiden

Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London that was formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter, Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; ten live albums; four EPs; and seven compilations. more »

9 fans

Written by: Bruce Dickinson

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Production
"Empire of the Clouds" is British heavy metal band Iron Maiden's longest song ever. - The song was written and performed entirely by Bruce Dickinson, the band's lead vocalist.
Song Specifications
Unlike many of Iron Maiden's previous songs, this one is a complex piece that lasts 18 minutes and 1 second. - The song was included in their sixteenth studio album, "The Book of Souls," released in 2015.
Influences and Concept
"Empire of the Clouds" was inspired by the R101 airship disaster that occurred in 1930. - The song narrates the story of the doomed British airship that crashed in France during its maiden overseas voyage.
Musical Aspects
The song is distinctive due to its use of piano, which is unusual in Iron Maiden's music. - It also includes a string section, which adds a cinematic element to the song.
Song Recording
Dickinson reportedly presented the song to the rest of the band in the studio by playing it on a baby grand piano. - The song was recorded live in the studio, adding to its distinct and intense sound.
Critical Reception
The song demonstrated a different side of Iron Maiden and was generally well-received by critics and fans alike. - It's applauded for its ambitious and dramatic storytelling which enhances its overall appeal.
Related Merchandise
In 2016, Iron Maiden released a limited-edition 12-inch picture disc of "Empire of the Clouds" for Record Store Day.
Live Performance
Despite its popularity, "Empire of the Clouds" has never been performed live due to its complex and orchestral nature.
Recognition
Bruce Dickinson was awarded the "O2 Silver Clef" by Nordoff Robbins in recognition of this song in 2016.
Legacy
Though relatively newer in Iron Maiden's long-spanning career, "Empire of the Clouds" has already been recognized as one of their most ambitious and well-executed compositions.

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    Empire of the Clouds

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    Empire of the Clouds/Maiden Voyage

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