☝️ Key Points
- The song 'Run to the Hills' by Iron Maiden tells the story of the colonization of America from two perspectives: that of the Native Americans and that of the European conquerors.
- The arrival of the Europeans brings suffering and misery to the Native Americans, including the destruction of their cultures and the exploitation of their resources.
- Despite the resistance of the Native Americans, the European colonizers were too numerous and powerful.
- The chorus of the song is a call to flee from the violence and destruction of the colonizers.
- The song strongly criticizes the brutal and ruthless acts of the colonizers and urges to see history from the perspective of the oppressed.
Interpretation
The lyrics of 'Run to the Hills' by
Iron Maiden tell a story from two perspectives: that of the Native American indigenous people (also known as 'Indians') and that of the European colonizers.
The opening lines, 'White man came across the sea, He Brought us pain and misery' depict the arrival of the Europeans from the perspective of the natives. The Europeans brought pain and misery, killed the tribes and their cultures, and took the game for their own needs.
The song also speaks about the resistance of the natives against the European invaders ('We fought him hard we fought him well'). Despite their fight, the Europeans were too numerous and powerful ('But many came too much for Cree').
The chorus, 'Run to the hills, Run for your lives' is a call to flee from the violence and destruction of the colonizers.
The song lyrics also depict the brutality and ruthlessness of the colonial powers ('Raping the women and wasting the men, The only good Indians are tame'). They showed little respect for the life and culture of the natives, sold them alcohol ('Selling them whiskey'), and took their gold.
The song is a strong critique of colonial history and an appeal to consider history from the perspective of the oppressed.