Lyrics of Great War of Sabaton

Where dead men lies I’m paralyzed, my brothers’ eyes are gone
And he shall be buried here, nameless marks his grave
Mother home, get a telegram and shed a tear of grief
Mud and blood, in foreign land, trying to understand

Where is this greatness I’ve been told?
This is the lies that we’ve been sold
Is this a worthy sacrifice?

Great War
And I cannot take more
Great tour
I keep on marching on
I play the great score
There will be no encore
Great War
The war to end all wars

I’m standing here, I’m full of fear, with bodies at my feet
Over there in the other trench, bullets wear my name
Lead ahead, as the captain said and show them no remorse
Who am I to understand? What have I become?

I do my duties, pay the price
I’ll do the worthy sacrifice
I know my deeds are not in vain

Great War
And I cannot take more
Great tour
I keep on marching on
I play the great score
There will be no encore
Great War
The war to end all wars

And feet by feet
We pay the price of a mile here
Though men were falling, we see heroes rise
We face the heat
As we are fighting until the dawn
So follow me and we will write our own history

Great War
And I cannot take more
Great tour
I keep on marching on
I play the great score
There will be no encore
Great War
The war to end all wars

Historical Background

In short: the song is about general themes of World War I.

Great War – The War That Changed Everything

Some wars end conflicts. Others change the world forever.

Sabaton’s Great War isn’t just a song about World War I—it’s about the horror, sacrifice, and lies told to a generation of soldiers. The First World War (1914-1918) was supposed to be “the war to end all wars.” Instead, it became a nightmare of trenches, mud, and death that shaped the 20th century.

This is how millions marched to war—only to realize there was no glory, only survival.

1914 – The Call to War

“Where is this greatness I’ve been told? This is the lies that we’ve been sold.”

When war broke out in August 1914, millions of young men rushed to enlist, believing it would be a glorious adventure. Governments promised:

  • Quick victories—“The war will be over by Christmas.”
  • Honor and heroism—“Fight for king and country.”
  • A noble cause—“Defend civilization.”

But those promises were shattered on the battlefields of France, Belgium, and beyond.

Trench Warfare – A Living Hell

“I’m standing here, I’m full of fear, with bodies at my feet.”

By late 1914, the war stalled into trench warfare. Soldiers dug into the mud, facing:

  • Endless artillery bombardments that turned men into dust.
  • Machine guns that mowed down thousands in seconds.
  • Gas attacks that choked men in their own lungs.

“Lead ahead, as the captain said and show them no remorse.”

Soldiers weren’t given a choice. They were ordered “Over the Top”, charging into No Man’s Land—only to be slaughtered by machine guns.

And yet, they kept marching on.

The Cost of War – Millions Lost, Nothing Gained

“Feet by feet, we pay the price of a mile here.”

Entire generations were wiped out for mere yards of land.

  • The Battle of Verdun (1916): Over 700,000 casualties for a few miles of trenches. (Battle of Verdun)
  • The Battle of the Somme (1916): 58,000 British soldiers fell on the first day alone. (Battle of the Somme)
  • The Eastern Front, the Middle East, and the Italian Front—millions more suffered the same fate.

“Though men were falling, we see heroes rise.”

They weren’t fighting for glory anymore—they were fighting to stay alive.

1918 – The End of the Great War

“Great War, and I cannot take more.”

By 1918, war fatigue, starvation, and revolution forced Germany and its allies to surrender. The Armistice was signed on November 11, 1918—but the world would never be the same.

“The war to end all wars.”

Except it wasn’t.

Just 21 years later, the world would plunge into an even greater war—because the Treaty of Versailles (1919) created more resentment than peace. (Treaty of Versailles)

Why Great War Still Matters

“I do my duties, pay the price, I’ll do the worthy sacrifice.”

World War I changed everything.

  • Old empires collapsed—Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Russia were gone.
  • New technology made war deadlier—tanks, planes, and poison gas became standard.
  • Millions died—for a war that solved nothing and only led to the next one.

The soldiers who fought and died never wanted another war. But history didn’t listen.

The Lesson?

They called it the war to end all wars.

It was just the beginning.

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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