Led Zeppelin - Immigrant Song

The "land of ice and snow" is Iceland, where the band played in June 1970.

Robert Plant explained:

"We weren't being pompous. We did come from the land of the ice and snow. We were guests of the Icelandic Government on a cultural mission. We were invited to play a concert in Reykjavik and the day before we arrived all the civil servants went on strike and the gig was going to be canceled. The university prepared a concert hall for us and it was phenomenal. The response from the kids was remarkable and we had a great time. 'Immigrant Song' was about that trip and it was the opening track on the album that was intended to be incredibly different."

One of the lyrics became part of Led Zeppelin lore. The line, "The hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new lands" got many of their fans referring to Zeppelin's sound as the "hammer of the gods." The phrase was used by author Stephen Davis as the title of a book about the band.

Lyrics

Ah! Ah! We come from the land of the ice and snow From the midnight sun where the hot springs flow The hammer of the gods Will drive our ships to new lands To fight the horde, sing and cry Valhalla, I am coming On we sweep with threshing oar Our only goal will be the western shore Ah! Ah! We come from the land of the ice and snow From the midnight sun where the hot springs flow How soft your fields so green Can whisper tales of gore Of how we calmed the tides of war We are your overlords On we sweep with threshing oar Our only goal will be the western shore So now you'd better stop And rebuild all your ruins For peace and trust can win the day Despite of all your losing