Achilles Last Stand
Page/
Plant
Записана и смикширована в ноябре/декабре 1975
на студии Musicland Studios, Munich.
Инженер Кейт Харвуд (Keith Harwood).
Впервые выпущена 31 марта 1976 на альбоме "Presence"
Выпускалась также 6 мая 1990 года на сборнике "Box Set" (Atlantic 82144), 6 октября 1993 года на сборнике "The Complete Studio Recordings" (Atlantic 82526) и 5 августа 1997 года на сборнике "Remasters"
Название
The recording of "Presence" was a magnificent achievement considering Plant was confined to a wheelchair the whole time due to his car accident. Legend has it that the first time this song was played back to him after he had done the vocals Plant fell out of his wheelchair he was so taken with it. Given that he had a broken heel at the time and his superb vocal performance on this song the title may well be self-explanatory.
Содержание
Given Plant's enthusiasm for mythology the lyrics seems thematically linked to the Trojan war during the Hellenistic age. On the other hand, the rumour persists that Plant, in a wheelchair with his leg in a cast due to a car accident at the time of the session for "Presence", literally fell out of his wheelchair when he first heard the completed song. Given his leg injury, the title may indeed be a reference to this incident.
Текст
It was an April morning when they told us we should go As I turn to you, you smiled at me How could we say no? With all the fun to have, to live the dreams we always had Oh, the songs to sing, when we at last return again Sending off a glancing kiss, to those who claim they know Below the streets that steam and hiss, The devil's in his hole Oh to sail away, To sandy lands and other days Oh to touch the dream, Hides inside and never seen. Into the sun the south the north, at last the birds have flown The shackles of commitment fell, In pieces on the ground Oh to ride the wind, To tread the air above the din Oh to laugh aloud, Dancing as we fought the crowd To seek the man whose pointing hand, The giant step unfolds With guidance from the curving path, That churns up into stone If one bell should ring, in celebration for a king So fast the heart should beat, As proud the head with heavy feet. Days went by when you and I, bathed in eternal summers glow As far away and distant, Our mutual child did grow Oh the sweet refrain, Soothes the soul and calms the pain Oh Albion remains, sleeping now to rise again Wandering & wandering, What place to rest the search The mighty arms of Atlas, Hold the heavens from the earth The mighty arms of Atlas, Hold the heavens from the earth From the earth… I know the way, know the way, know the way, know the way (X2) Oh the mighty arms of Atlas, Hold the heavens from the earth.
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