Led Zeppelin’s Best “Achilles Last Stand” Performance Proves Their Genius
YouTube Channel (Shervinem)
Knebworth Festival, 1979
Inspired by Morocco and Latin music on his travels, Plant wrote “Achilles Last Stand” in ’75 while he was recovering from a month long car accident injury. As Plant was spending his time recuperating in Greece, he felt thoroughly moved and compelled by the story behind Achilles, Greek Hero of the Trojan War.
Interesting Quote: “Presence and my control over all the contributing factors to that LP – the fact that it was done in three weeks, and all the rest of it – is so good for me. It was just good for everything really, even though it was a very anxious point, and the anxiety shows, group-wise – you know, ‘Is Robert going to walk again from his auto accident in Greece?’ and all this sort of thing. But I guess the solo in ‘Achilles’ Last Stand’ on Presence is in the same tradition as the solo from ‘Stairway to Heaven’ on the fourth LP. It is on that level to me.” – Robert Plant, ’77
Not only is this one of Zeppelin’s most underrated songs musically but the lyrics are highly depreciated with scribed words of genius, beauty and imagery like “into the sun the south the north, at last the birds have flown. The shackles of commitment fell, In pieces on the ground..” telling the truth behind the warrior’s story.
Highlighting each and every member of the groups’ greatest talents, it has been critically acclaimed to surpass all other live versions of this song that we can find. We really hope you enjoy this majestic ballad and all of the complexity it represents.
 + Achilles Last Stand Lyrics +
As I turn to you, you smiled at me
How could we say no?
With all the fun to have, to live the dreams we always had
Oh, the songs to sing, when we at last return again
Sending off a glancing kiss, to those who claim they know
Below the streets that steam and hiss,
The devil’s in his hole
Oh to sail away, To sandy lands and other days
Oh to touch the dream, Hides inside and never seen.
Into the sun the south the north, at last the birds have flown
The shackles of commitment fell, In pieces on the ground
Oh to ride the wind, To tread the air above the din
Oh to laugh aloud, Dancing as we fought the crowd
To seek the man whose pointing hand, The giant step unfolds
With guidance from the curving path, That churns up into stone
If one bell should ring, in celebration for a king
So fast the heart should beat, As proud the head with heavy feet.
Days went by when you and I, bathed in eternal summers glow
As far away and distant, Our mutual child did grow
Oh the sweet refrain, Soothes the soul and calms the pain
Oh Albion remains, sleeping now to rise again
Wandering & wandering, What place to rest the search
The mighty arms of Atlas, Hold the heavens from the earth
The mighty arms of Atlas, Hold the heavens from the earth
From the earth…
I know the way, know the way, know the way, know the way [X2]
Oh the mighty arms of Atlas, Hold the heavens from the earth.
