The Pilgrim

Album: A Matter of Life and Death (2006)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Written by Iron Maiden bass player Steve Harris and guitarist Janick Gers, this song is based on the story of the pilgrims who came to America on The Mayflower. The song can relate to anyone actively searching for something better in life.

Comments: 1

  • Sillyrabbit from San Antonio, TxThis song is a reference to the Crusades. Christians and Muslims who journey to visit the Holy Lands of Jerusalem or Mecca, respectively, are referred to as pilgrims. The lines "Pilgrim sunrise pagan sunset" and "kingdom of heaven to hell" may be alluding to the Christian exodus from Jerusalem in the 12th century. The line may also be a referece to the movie "Kingdom of Heaven" which also dealt with the story of one of the Crusades.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

16 Songs With a Heartbeat

16 Songs With a HeartbeatSong Writing

We've heard of artists putting their hearts into their music, but some take it literally.

Tom Bailey of Thompson Twins

Tom Bailey of Thompson TwinsSongwriter Interviews

Tom stopped performing Thompson Twins songs in 1987, in part because of their personal nature: "Hold Me Now" came after an argument with his bandmate/girlfriend Alannah Currie.

Judas Priest

Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford, Richie Faulkner and Glenn Tipton talk twin guitar harmonies and explain how they create songs in Judas Priest.

Butch Vig

Butch VigSongwriter Interviews

The Garbage drummer/songwriter produced the Nirvana album Nevermind, and Smashing Pumpkins' Gish and Siamese Dream.

Loudon Wainwright III

Loudon Wainwright IIISongwriter Interviews

"Dead Skunk" became a stinker for Loudon when he felt pressure to make another hit - his latest songs deal with mortality, his son Rufus, and picking up poop.

David Bowie Lyrics Quiz

David Bowie Lyrics QuizMusic Quiz

How well do you know your David Bowie lyrics? Take this quiz to find out.