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Song: Achilles Last Stand
Album: Presence [released Mar 31, 1976 (US) | Apr 5, 1976 (UK)]
Single: N/A
Credited to: Jimmy Page, Robert Plant
Related Songs: N/A

Lyrics:

It was an April mornin' when they told us we should go
And as I turned to you, you smiled at me, how could we say no
Whoa, the fun to have, to live the dreams we always had
Whoa, the songs to sing when we'd at last return again

Swept New York a glancing kiss to those who claim they know
Below the streets that steam and hiss, the devil's in his hold
Whoa, to sail away to sandy lands and other days
Whoa, to touch the dream, hides inside and is never seen, yeah

Into the sun, the south, the north, at last the birds have flown
The shackles of commitment fell in pieces on the ground
Whoa, to ride the wind, to tread the air above the din
Whoa, to laugh aloud with dancing eyes above the crowds, yeah

Seek the man whose pointing hand the giant step unfolds
Guide us from the curving path that turns our feet to stone
And if one bell should ring in celebration for a king
So fast the heart should beat, as proud, the head with heavy feet, yeah

Oooh

(Guitar Solo)

Days went by when you and I bathed in eternal summer's glow
As, far away and distant, our mutual child did grow
Whoa, the sweet refrain soothes the soul and calms the pain
Oh, Albion, remain sleeping now to rise again

Wandering and wondering, what place to rest this hurt
For the mighty arms of Atlas hold the heavens from the earth
For the mighty arms of Atlas hold the heavens from the earth
From the earth, earth
(Earth) I know the way, know the way, know the way, know the way
(Earth) I know the way, know the way, know the way, know the way

Earth, earth

Ahh-ah-ah, ahh-ah-ah, ahh-ah-ah, ahh-ah-ah
Ahh-ah-ah, ahh-ah-ah, ahh-ah-ah, ahh-ah-ah
Ahh-ah-ah, ahh-ah-ah, ahh-ah-ah, ahh-ah-ah
Ahh-ah-ah, ahh-ah-ah, ahh-ah-ah, ahh-ah-ah
Ahh-ah-ah, ahh-ah-ah, ahh-ah-ah, ahh-ah-ah
Ahhh, ohhh, ohhh, ohhh

(Guitar Solo)

Ooh
For the mighty arms of Atlas hold the heavens from the earth
(Oh) Ahh-ah-ah, (whoa) ahh-ah-ah, (whoa) ahh-ah-ah, (whoa) ahh-ah-ah
(Whoaa) Ahh-ah-ah, ahh-ah-ah, ahh-ah-ah, ahh-ah-ah
Ahh-ah-ah, ahh-ah-ah, ahh-ah-ah, ahh-ah-ah
Ahh-ah-ah, ahh-ah-ah, ahh-ah-ah, ahh-ah-ah
Woo-ooh-oooh

Personal notes: Well, this is really one hell of an epic masterpiece. In my current opinion, I'd have to rank this song above Kashmir, although not above Stairway. Hard to imagine that at first I didn't particularly like this song. I remember one time in high school I was surfing a Zeppelin site in class and one of my classmates inquired about my musical interests. He asked me if I had heard some of Zeppelin's later stuff, and I told him that I preferred their earlier material (I hadn't even really listened to Zep's later albums, after Physical Graffiti, at that point). He recommended Achilles Last Stand, although I had actually heard that particular song at the time. I also remember, in a discussion about the song, stating that Jimmy Page achieved more with a single guitar on a song like Heartbreaker than he did with the famed 'wall of guitars' on Achilles Last Stand. Needless to say, my opinion has changed since those days, and I now regard Achilles Last Stand as one of Zep's greatest accomplishments, in addition to simply being a kick-ass epic rocker. The lyrics are great, and although the title may be a reference to an in-joke involving Robert Plant tripping over his injured ankle, I really love the idea of "Achilles' last stand." Facing a choice between living a long but dull life at home, or journeying to the edge of the world and earning the glory of a thousand kings, how could you refuse? Though taking the glory would result in your untimely demise. Led Zeppelin didn't last for a real long time, but they went straight to the top, became instant rock gods, and lived the life of total luxury and excess, though it meant their untimely demise (excess turned to exhaust and one member didn't survive the journey). Was it worth it? Think of the fun they had, the dreams they lived, the songs they now have to sing and the stories they now have to tell. How could they have said no? That is what I think this song is about.

Interesting facts: Robert Plant was recovering from a car crash during the recording of the album Presence. Legend has it that after an especially good take on this song, Robert Plant stood up out of his wheelchair in excitement, and tripped over his broken ankle, hence the title - Achilles' Last Stand.

Influences: None found.