Lyrics of Invaders by Iron Maiden
Longboats have been sighted the evidence of war has begun
Many Nordic fighting men their swords and shields all gleam in the sun
Call to arms defend yourselves get ready to stand and fight for your lives
Judgment day has come around so be prepared don’t run stand your ground
They’re coming in from the sea
They’ve come the enemy
Beneath the blazing sun
The battle has to be won
Invaders, pillaging
Invaders, looting
Set ablaze the campfires alert the other men from inland
Warning must be given there’s not enough men here for a stand
The Vikings are too many much too powerful to take on our own
We must have reinforcements we cannot fight this battle alone
They’re coming over the hill
They’ve come to attack
They’re coming in for the kill
There’s no turning back
Invaders
Fighting
Invaders
Marauding
Axes grind and maces clash as wounded fighters fall to the ground
Severed limbs and fatal woundings bloody corpses lay all around
The smell of death and burning flesh the battle weary fight to the end
The Saxons have been overpowered victims of the mighty Norsemen
You’d better scatter and run
The battle’s lost and not won
You’d better get away to fight another day
Invaders
Raping
Invaders
Plundering
Historical Background
In short: The song is about the Viking invasion of England in the Middle Ages.
Invaders – The Viking Raids That Shook Europe
Some warriors fight for kings. Others fight to conquer the world.
Iron Maiden’s Invaders isn’t just about a single battle—it’s about the Viking raids that terrorized Europe for centuries. From the late 8th to 11th centuries, Norse warriors from Scandinavia launched brutal attacks across Britain, France, and beyond, forever changing history.
This is how the Vikings came, saw, and conquered.
793 AD – The Dawn of the Viking Age
“Longboats have been sighted, the evidence of war has begun.”
The Viking Age began in 793 AD, when Norse raiders attacked the monastery of Lindisfarne in England. This raid shocked the Christian world—it wasn’t just about loot, but a direct assault on the heart of faith and civilization.
The Vikings’ secret weapon? Their longships.
- Fast and maneuverable, allowing surprise attacks.
- Able to sail up rivers, striking deep into enemy territory.
- Perfect for quick raids, striking before defenses could mobilize.
“Many Nordic fighting men, their swords and shields all gleam in the sun.”
The Vikings weren’t just pirates—they were elite warriors. Armed with axes, swords, and shields, they struck without warning and disappeared before armies could respond.
The Saxon Struggle – Defending the Homeland
“Call to arms, defend yourselves, get ready to stand and fight for your lives.”
For the Anglo-Saxons of England, Viking raids became a way of life. Towns and villages along the coast lived in constant fear, always watching the horizon for longboats appearing in the mist.
“Set ablaze the campfires, alert the other men from inland. Warning must be given, there’s not enough men here for a stand.”
Defending against the Vikings was nearly impossible.
- They attacked at dawn, catching defenders unprepared.
- They burned towns, stole treasure, and enslaved captives.
- They disappeared before armies could arrive.
But the Saxons refused to give in.
Clash of Steel – The Battlefield Turns Red
“Axes grind and maces clash as wounded fighters fall to the ground.”
When battles did happen, they were brutal and merciless. Viking warriors fought in shield walls, pushing forward with relentless fury.
- The Saxons fought to defend their homes.
- The Vikings fought for plunder and glory.
- There was no mercy—only blood.
“The smell of death and burning flesh, the battle-weary fight to the end.”
For the losers, there was no escape. Villages were razed, and survivors were either enslaved or slaughtered.
“The Saxons have been overpowered, victims of the mighty Norsemen.”
For centuries, Viking raids continued to devastate Europe—until the Saxons finally found a leader who could stand against them.
The Turning Point – Alfred the Great Fights Back
“You’d better scatter and run, the battle’s lost and not won.”
By the late 9th century, England was on the brink of collapse. The Vikings controlled large parts of the country, known as the Danelaw.
Then came Alfred the Great.
- Built forts (burhs) to stop Viking attacks.
- Created a standing army and navy.
- Defeated the Viking King Guthrum at the Battle of Edington (878 AD).
The Saxons didn’t just survive—they fought back.
Why Invaders Still Matters
“Invaders, fighting! Invaders, marauding!”
The Viking invasions shaped the future of Europe.
- They forced kingdoms to evolve—leading to stronger armies and defenses.
- They spread Norse culture and language, influencing places from England to Russia.
- They paved the way for future conquests, including the Norman invasion of England in 1066.
The Vikings came as invaders—but they left as legends.
The Lesson?
The strongest armies aren’t always the largest.
They’re the ones who strike first, strike hard, and never stop moving.
And in the age of the Vikings, no one did it better.
