Lyrics of Devil Dogs by Sabaton

Kill, fight, die
That’s what a soldier should do
Top of their game, earning their name
They were the devil dogs
In a war machine
They were the USA marines

1918, USA intervene
‘Til now, they were mainly observing
There in the wheat fields and a small piece of land
It’s a battle that’ll write history
Five times attacked, and then five times repelled
And the sixth time, they managed to break the line
Heart of the corps and a part of the lore
The deadliest weapon on Earth

Kill, fight, die
That’s what a soldier should do
Top of their game, earning their name
They were the devil dogs
In a war machine
They were the USA marines

Dogs lead ahead and attack through the lead
Put to test at the battle of Belleau
Clearing the forest and advance through the trees
It’s the end of the war that’s in sight
Hill 142, it’s a final breakthrough
It’s the key to controlling the battlefield
Second to none, a marine and a gun
And the foes run in fear of their name

Kill, fight, die
That’s what a soldier should do
Top of their game, earning their name
They were the devil dogs
In a war machine
They were the USA marines

In times, they are needed, such times they appear
When a leader has fallen, a hero arise
And inspire the lost into glorious deeds that
Would give them a name that live on to this day
When in times they are needed, such times they appear
When a leader has fallen, a hero arise
And inspire the lost into glorious deeds that
Would give them a name that live on to this day
“Come on, you sons of bitches, do you wanna live forever?”

Second to none, a marine and a gun
Raising hell as they’re fighting like dogs of war
Heart of the corps and a part of the lore
The deadliest weapon on Earth

Kill, fight, die
That’s what a soldier should do
Top of their game, earning their name
They were the devil dogs
In a war machine, they were the USA
And since then, they are the devil dogs of war
And then always are the USA marines

Historical Background

In short: The song is about US Marines in the Battle of Belleau Wood of World War I.

Devil Dogs – The Battle That Made the Marines Legendary

Some battles are fought. Others create legends.

Sabaton’s Devil Dogs isn’t just about World War I—it’s about how the U.S. Marines earned their place in history.

The Battle of Belleau Wood (1918) was where the Marines faced impossible odds, fought like hell, and got their infamous nickname—the “Devil Dogs” (Teufelshunde), given to them by the Germans they terrified.

This is how the U.S. Marines turned the tide of World War I and became one of the most feared fighting forces on Earth.

1918 – America Joins the Fight

“1918, USA intervene, ’til now, they were mainly observing.”

For three years, World War I was a brutal stalemate. The Western Front was a nightmare of trenches, gas, and machine guns. The United States had stayed out—until 1917, when Germany’s unrestricted submarine warfare and the Zimmermann Telegram pushed them into war (U.S. entry into WWI).

By 1918, the Germans had launched a massive spring offensive, breaking through Allied lines and pushing toward Paris. The war was at a breaking point.

Then, the U.S. Marines arrived.

Belleau Wood – The Fight of Their Lives

“There in the wheat fields and a small piece of land, it’s a battle that’ll write history.”

In June 1918, German forces captured Belleau Wood, a strategic forest near the Marne River. If they pushed through, Paris could fall. The Marines were ordered to stop them—at all costs.

“Five times attacked, and then five times repelled, and the sixth time, they managed to break the line.”

The battle was pure hell.

  • Machine guns shredded attackers.
  • Mustard gas filled the air.
  • Hand-to-hand combat raged in the woods.

But the Marines refused to break. They charged through gunfire, bayonets fixed, fighting like demons.

“Devil Dogs” – How the Marines Earned Their Name

“Dogs lead ahead and attack through the lead, put to test at the battle of Belleau.”

The Germans called them “Teufelshunde”—Devil Dogs—because they fought with inhuman ferocity.

The Marines took Hill 142, fought through the forest, and finally drove the Germans out.

“Second to none, a Marine and a gun, and the foes run in fear of their name.”

By June 26, 1918, the Marines had won. But at a cost—almost 10,000 killed or wounded.

A Legacy That Still Stands

“And since then, they are the Devil Dogs of war, and they always are the USA Marines.”

Belleau Wood wasn’t just a battle—it was a turning point.

  • The Marines stopped the German advance and helped save Paris.
  • It proved that America was a force to be reckoned with.
  • It gave the U.S. Marines a name that would live on forever.

Even today, Marines still say “Devil Dog” with pride—because Belleau Wood was where they earned it in blood.

The Lesson?

When the world doubted them, the Marines fought back harder.

The Germans thought they would break.

Instead, they became legends.

About Niels

Niels believes every historical event has its own rhythm, every era its unique melody, and every story its untold song. He brings history to life, capturing the essence of pivotal moments, fascinating figures, and the cultural transformations that shaped our world. His work makes history not only informative but deeply emotional and memorable.

On this website, you’ll discover his latest songs, insights into his creative process, and curated playlists of his favorite historical tunes. Join Niels on this melodic adventure where every note tells a story, and every story inspires a song.


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