Lyrics of Seven Pillars of Wisdom by Sabaton
Far from home, a man with a mission
In the heat of the glistening sun
In the heart of ancient tradition
This man’s journey has only begun
A raider has entered the battlefield
(Sabotage)
The game is about to unfold
As the darkness falls and Arabia calls
One man spreads his wings, as the battle begins
May the land lay claim on to Lawrence name
Seven pillars of wisdom lights the flame
A revolt to gain independence
Hide and seek, hunters hot on their trail
Joined their ranks, obtained their acceptance
Side by side raid the Ottoman rail
Tafilah, Medina, Damascus calls
(Sabotage)
Demolish the bridges to dust
As the darkness falls and Arabia calls
One man spreads his wings, as the battle begins
May the land lay claim on to Lawrence name
Seven pillars of wisdom lights the flame
After the war has been won, deception or treason?
Who can tell?
Who stood to gain?
Who stood to lose?
Who did the dying?
Betrayal of trust from within or compelled?
The pillars of wisdom can tell
Back home where a new life awaits, whispers of past
The sands of Arabia calling
As the darkness falls and Arabia calls
One man spreads his wings, as the battle begins
May the land lay claim on to Lawrence name
Seven pillars of wisdom lights the flame
As the darkness falls and Arabia calls
One man spreads his wings, as the battle begins
May the land lay claim on to Lawrence name
Seven pillars of wisdom lights the flame
Historical Background
In short: The song is about Lawrence of Arabia and the Arab Revolt in World War I.
Seven Pillars of Wisdom – The Legend of Lawrence of Arabia
Some warriors lead armies. Others ignite revolutions.
Seven Pillars of Wisdom by Sabaton tells the story of T.E. Lawrence, the British officer who helped lead the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire during World War I.
This is how one man changed the course of history in the deserts of Arabia.
T.E. Lawrence – The Man Behind the Myth
“Far from home, a man with a mission, in the heat of the glistening sun.”
Thomas Edward Lawrence, known as Lawrence of Arabia, was a British intelligence officer sent to support the Arab Revolt (1916–1918) against the Ottoman Empire.
- The Ottomans controlled Arab lands for centuries.
- The Arabs, led by Prince Faisal, wanted independence.
- Lawrence joined their ranks, using guerrilla warfare to cripple the Ottoman forces.
“A revolt to gain independence, hide and seek, hunters hot on their trail.”
Guerrilla Warfare – Striking the Ottoman Empire
“Side by side, raid the Ottoman rail.”
Lawrence led daring raids on Ottoman supply lines, including:
- Attacks on the Hejaz Railway, cutting off Ottoman reinforcements.
- The capture of Aqaba (1917)—a crucial victory that opened supply routes for the British.
- The march to Damascus, where the Arab forces drove out the Ottomans in 1918.
“Tafilah, Medina, Damascus calls – sabotage!”
The End of the War – A Betrayal?
“After the war has been won, deception or treason?”
The Arabs expected independence after the war—but Britain and France had other plans.
- The Sykes-Picot Agreement (1916) secretly divided the Middle East between Britain and France.
- The Treaty of Versailles (1919) placed Arab lands under European rule, not Arab independence.
- Lawrence felt betrayed, knowing the people he had fought for would not gain their freedom.
“Betrayal of trust from within or compelled? The pillars of wisdom can tell.”
The Seven Pillars of Wisdom
“May the land lay claim onto Lawrence’s name, Seven Pillars of Wisdom lights the flame.”
After the war, Lawrence wrote Seven Pillars of Wisdom—his autobiographical account of the Arab Revolt.
- It became one of the most famous war memoirs ever written.
- His story inspired the legendary 1962 film Lawrence of Arabia.
- But Lawrence never found peace, choosing to live in seclusion until his death in 1935.
“Back home where a new life awaits, whispers of past, the sands of Arabia calling.”
Want to Learn More?
- 🎥 Sabaton History – Seven Pillars of Wisdom (Documentary) – Official Sabaton History Documentary that explains the historical background.
- 🎥 The terrorist who changed the Middle East forever (YouTube) – A funny documentary on T.E. Lawrence.
- 📖 T.E. Lawrence (Wikipedia) – The man who became a legend.
- 📖 Arab Revolt (Wikipedia) – The war for independence against the Ottomans.
- 🎥 Lawrence of Arabia (1962) – Movie – The Oscar-winning film about his life.
- 📖 Sykes-Picot Agreement (Wikipedia) – How Britain and France secretly divided the Middle East.
The Lesson?
Some warriors fight for conquest. Others fight for freedom.
And in 1917, in the deserts of Arabia, one man helped a nation rise—only to see it betrayed by politics.
