Lyrics of Shiroyama by Sabaton
It’s the nature of time that the old ways must give in
It’s the nature of time that the new ways comes in sin
When the new meets the old it always ends the ancient ways
And as history told the old ways go out in a blaze
Encircled by a vulture, the end of ancient culture
The dawn of destiny draws near
Imperial force defied, facing 500 Samurai
Surrounded and outnumbered, 60 to 1 the sword face the gun
Bushido dignified, it’s the last stand of the Samurai
Surrounded and outnumbered
As a new age begins the way of the warrior comes to an end
As a new age begins the ways of old must apprehend
It’s the nature of time that the old ways must give in
It’s the nature of time that the new ways comes in sin
An offer of surrender, Saigo ignore contender
The dawn of destiny is here
‘Til the dawn they hold on
Only 40 are left at the end
None alive, none survive
Shiroyama
60 to one, facing the gun
60 to one, culture undone
Historical Background
In short: The song is about the Battle of Shiroyama in 1877 and the end of the Samurai.
Shiroyama – The Last Stand of the Samurai
Some warriors adapt to change. Others fight to the death for tradition.
Shiroyama by Sabaton tells the story of the final battle of the samurai, fought on September 24, 1877.
This is how 500 warriors defied an empire—knowing they would not survive.
The Fall of the Samurai
“It’s the nature of time that the old ways must give in.”
For centuries, Japan was ruled by samurai and their code of honor—Bushidō.
But in 1868, the Meiji Restoration ended the rule of the samurai and modernized Japan:
- A new imperial army replaced the samurai.
- Western weapons—guns and cannons—made swords obsolete.
- Samurai privileges were abolished, ending their warrior class.
But one man refused to surrender.
Saigō Takamori – The Last Samurai
“Imperial force defied, facing 500 Samurai.”
Saigō Takamori was once a loyal general of the Emperor, but he opposed Japan’s new reforms.
In 1877, he led the Satsuma Rebellion, a final samurai uprising against the Imperial Japanese Army.
- At first, his warriors won battles, using traditional swords and bows.
- But the modern army had rifles and artillery, and slowly, the samurai were pushed back.
- By September 24, 1877, only 500 samurai remained, cornered on Shiroyama Hill.
“Encircled by a vulture, the end of ancient culture.”
The Battle of Shiroyama – A Fight to the Death
“Surrounded and outnumbered, 60 to 1, the sword faces the gun.”
At 4:00 AM, 30,000 Imperial soldiers attacked.
- The samurai fought fiercely with katana and spears, cutting down enemies in close combat.
- But the guns and cannons were too much—one by one, the samurai fell.
- By sunrise, only 40 were left.
“’Til the dawn they hold on, only 40 are left at the end.”
Saigō, fatally wounded, was carried by his men.
Rather than be captured, he took his own life in seppuku, the ritual samurai suicide.
By morning, the last samurai were dead.
“None alive, none survive—Shiroyama.”
The Legacy of the Samurai
“As a new age begins, the way of the warrior comes to an end.”
With the fall of Saigō, the samurai era was over.
But his legacy remained:
- Saigō Takamori is remembered as a national hero—even by the government that defeated him.
- His story inspired the 2003 film The Last Samurai starring Tom Cruise.
- Today, Bushidō and samurai traditions live on in Japanese culture and martial arts.
“60 to 1, culture undone.”
Want to Learn More?
- 🎥 Sabaton History – Shiroyama (Documentary) – A Documentary by Sabaton to the historical background of the song.
- 🎥 What caused the Fall of the Samurai? (YouTube) – A documentary by the Armchair Historian about the end of the Samurai.
- 🎥 The Last Samurai (IMDB) – The Hollywood film inspired by these events.
- 📖 Battle of Shiroyama (Wikipedia) – The final stand of the samurai.
- 📖 Saigō Takamori (Wikipedia) – The man who led the last charge.
- 📖 Meiji Restoration (Wikipedia) – How Japan modernized and ended the samurai class.
The Lesson?
Some warriors accept change. Others fight for their way of life, even when all hope is lost.
And in 1877, on the hill of Shiroyama, the last samurai chose to die with honor rather than surrender.
