Metallica - Creeping Death - Meaning of the song
The inspiration for this song was the movie The Ten Commandments, starring Charlton Heston as Moses. In the movie, the Angel of Death is represented by a green cloud. When bass player Cliff Burton saw it, he thought it looked like "Creeping Death."
Musically, this began as a song called "Die By His Hand" by Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett's former band, Exodus. Exodus recorded a demo of the song, but never released it. When Hammett came to Metallica, he brought it with him; they changed the lyrics along with some of the riffs, and the song became "Creeping Death."
Kirk Hammett explained:
"There's a really raw, powerful energy to this one. It's exciting to listen to, and it's one that even to this day I absolutely love playing live. In my opinion it's definitely one of the best solos a Metallica song has ever had."
Creeping Death - Lyrics
Slaves Hebrews born to serve, to the pharaoh Heed To his every word, live in fear Faith Of the unknown one, the deliverer Wait Something must be done, four hundred years So let it be written So let it be done I'm sent here by the chosen one So let it be written So let it be done To kill the first born pharaoh son I'm creeping death Now Let my people go, Land Of Goshen Go I will be with thee, bush of fire Blood Running red and strong, down the Nile Plague Darkness three days long, hail to fire So let it be written So let it be done I'm sent here by the chosen one So let it be written So let it be done To kill the first born pharaoh son I'm creeping death Die by my hand I creep across the land Killing first born man Die by my hand I creep across the land Killing first born man I Rule the midnight air, the destroyer Born I shall soon be there, deadly mass I Creep the steps and floor, final darkness Blood Lamb's blood, painted door, I shall pass So let it be written So let it be done I'm sent here by the chosen one So let it be written So let it be done To kill the first born pharaoh son I'm creeping death