Lyrics of Screaming Eagles by Sabaton
Crack of the lightning splitting the ground
Thunder is sounding, artillery pounding
Wrath of the Nazis cast on Bastogne
Facing their forces alone
Alone!
Sent from the skies jumped into the unknown
The march to Berlin has begun
Spearhead the charge surrounded by foes
Eagles are leading the way
France is still under enemy rule
Push, axis retreat
Thrown towards Arnhem a bitter defeat
They’re stretched out just one bridge too far
Turn of the tide, it’s breaking away
Losing momentum, retreat
Go to Bastogne, the crossroads must hold
Stand, alone in the cold
Dig your own foxholes or dig your own grave
The storm is about to begin
The siege has begun, there’s nowhere to run
Panzerkampfwagen emerge
Tanks and mortars are shaking the ground
Prey of man and machine
Chill of the winter bite to the bone and Christmas is drawing near
Soldiers are freezing, the death toll increasing
They’re dying in their holes
There’s no surrender, there’s no retreat, the Wehrmacht is drawing near
There’s no reinforcements, they’re fighting all alone
Sent from the skies ended up in Bastogne
As easy, as hard as they get
Nazi command request and demand
Offered surrender – declined
Nuts! The general’s word echo clear
Nuts! The Nazis shall hear
Historical Background
In short: The song is about the Battle of Bastogne during the Ardennes Offensive in 1944 of World War II.
Screaming Eagles – The Battle of Bastogne
Some battles are fought for territory. Others decide the fate of a war.
Screaming Eagles by Sabaton tells the story of the 101st Airborne Division’s legendary stand at Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge (1944).
This is how a small group of American paratroopers held their ground against Hitler’s final desperate offensive.
December 1944 – The Nazis’ Last Gamble
“Crack of the lightning, splitting the ground, thunder is sounding, artillery pounding.”
By late 1944, Nazi Germany was losing World War II. The Allies had landed in Normandy, liberated Paris, and were advancing toward Germany.
But Hitler had one last plan—the Ardennes Offensive, also known as the Battle of the Bulge.
- The Germans launched a surprise attack through the dense Ardennes Forest.
- Their goal was to capture the vital crossroads town of Bastogne, cutting off Allied supply lines.
- Only one division stood in their way—the 101st Airborne Division.
“Wrath of the Nazis cast on Bastogne, facing their forces alone!”
The Siege of Bastogne – Holding the Crossroads
“Go to Bastogne, the crossroads must hold, stand alone in the cold!”
The 101st Airborne was outnumbered and outgunned, but they had one advantage—determination.
- December 20, 1944 – The town was completely surrounded by German forces.
- The paratroopers dug in, enduring constant artillery shelling and tank attacks.
- The cold was brutal, with freezing temperatures and deep snow.
“Dig your own foxholes or dig your own grave, the storm is about to begin!”
Despite the odds, the Americans refused to surrender.
“Nuts!” – The Ultimate Defiance
“Nazi command request and demand, offered surrender—declined!”
On December 22, the Germans sent an ultimatum to the American commander, General Anthony McAuliffe—surrender or be annihilated.
His response?
👉 “NUTS!” 👈
The Germans didn’t understand at first, but when they did, they were furious.
- They launched even more attacks, trying to break through.
- But the 101st Airborne held their ground, repelling wave after wave of German assaults.
The Turning Point – Patton’s Rescue
“There’s no surrender, there’s no retreat, the Wehrmacht is drawing near!”
The situation was dire, but help was on the way.
- General George S. Patton’s Third Army raced to relieve Bastogne.
- On December 26, 1944, Patton’s tanks broke through, ending the siege.
- The 101st had survived, and the Battle of the Bulge ended in Allied victory.
“Sent from the skies, ended up in Bastogne, as easy, as hard as they get!”
The Allies soon pushed into Germany, leading to Nazi Germany’s defeat in May 1945.
Want to Learn More?
- 🎥 Sabaton History – Screaming Eagles (Documentary) – The historical background of the song explained.
- 🎥 Battle of the Bulge Animated – Part 4, Bastogne (YouTube) – A detailed documentary on the siege.
- 🎥 Band of Brothers (IMDB) – The HBO series that shows the battle in detail.
- 📖 Battle of Bastogne (Wikipedia) – The heroic defense of the town.
- 📖 Battle of the Bulge (Wikipedia) – The larger conflict surrounding Bastogne.
- 📖 101st Airborne Division (Wikipedia) – The legendary unit that stood against the Nazi onslaught.
The Lesson?
Some armies surrender when the odds are against them. Others fight to the last man.
And in December 1944, at Bastogne, a handful of American paratroopers refused to give up—and turned the tide of World War II.
