Lyrics of Hellfighters by Sabaton
From a land across the ocean
To the western front, where they served
Fought with courage and devotion
Preconceptions turned!
As the spring offensive kept churning
Where the men would earn their name
See the tides of battle turning
And their foes ignite their flame!
Hear the toll of the bell
Kept fighting for six months in hell
As the war rages on
They fight at the edge of the Argonne
Hear the toll of the bell, over six months in hell
Out of the trenches they came
As the war rages on, at the edge of the Argonne
Hellfighters earning their name
They would have no prisoners taken
And they never lost any ground
Earned the cross of war unshaken
Never turned around
As the armistice is drawing closer
The three hundred sixty-ninth
Kept on fighting until it was over
And they were first to reach the Rhine
Hear the toll of the bell
Kept fighting for six months in hell
As the war rages on
They fight at the edge of the Argonne
Hear the toll of the bell, over six months in hell
Out of the trenches they came
As the war rages on, at the edge of the Argonne
Hellfighters earning their name
Hear the toll of the bell, over six months in hell
Out of the trenches they came
As the war rages on, at the edge of the Argonne
Hellfighters earning their name
Historical Background
In short: The song is about the 369th Infantry Regiment, African-American unit in World War I.
Hellfighters – The Harlem Heroes of World War I
Some soldiers fight for victory. Others fight for respect.
Sabaton’s Hellfighters isn’t just about war—it’s about the 369th Infantry Regiment, an all-Black unit of the U.S. Army that fought with unmatched bravery and resilience in World War I. Known as the Harlem Hellfighters, these men shattered prejudices, earned the French Croix de Guerre, and fought longer than almost any other American unit.
This is how they went from being rejected at home to becoming legends on the battlefield.
The Harlem Hellfighters – A Forgotten Legacy
“From a land across the ocean, to the western front where they served. Fought with courage and devotion, preconceptions turned.”
In 1917, the United States entered World War I, but the U.S. Army still segregated Black soldiers. Many were denied combat roles, relegated to labor and support units. The 369th Infantry Regiment was different.
They were sent to fight with the French Army, because white American officers refused to serve with them. The French, who had suffered massive casualties, welcomed them with open arms.
The Hellfighters took to the battlefield—and never backed down.
Six Months in Hell – Fighting at the Argonne
“Hear the toll of the bell, kept fighting for six months in hell. As the war rages on, they fight at the edge of the Argonne.”
The 369th fought for 191 days straight—longer than any other American regiment.
- They never lost a foot of ground.
- They never had a man captured.
- They were among the first Allied troops to reach the Rhine.
They earned the respect of their French commanders and the fear of their enemies. The Germans called them “Höllenkämpfer”—Hellfighters—because they never gave up, no matter the odds.
Heroes Against the Odds
“They would have no prisoners taken, and they never lost any ground. Earned the Cross of War unshaken, never turned around.”
Despite facing racism at home, the Harlem Hellfighters:
- Earned 171 Croix de Guerre medals, France’s highest honor.
- Had one of the most decorated regiments in the war.
- Proved that Black soldiers were as capable, if not superior, in combat.
Yet, when they returned to the U.S., they were denied a hero’s welcome. Segregation and discrimination continued, even as these men had risked everything for their country.
Why Hellfighters Still Matters
“As the armistice is drawing closer, the three hundred sixty-ninth kept on fighting until it was over, and they were first to reach the Rhine.”
The Harlem Hellfighters fought two wars—one against the Germans, and another against racism at home.
- They proved that courage knows no color.
- They fought harder than almost any other unit.
- They set the stage for the Civil Rights movement decades later.
The world forgot their names for too long, but their legacy will never die.
The Lesson?
Heroes aren’t defined by recognition.
They’re defined by what they fight for.
And the Harlem Hellfighters fought for everything.
