Creeping Death

From MetallicaWiki

Creeping Death is the seventh track on Metallica's 1984 album Ride The Lightning. It is frequently used as an opening song at Metallica's concerts.

The song describes the Plague of the Death of the Firstborn (Exodus 12:29). The lyrics deal with the 10 plagues on Egypt, and throughout the song, four of the ten plagues are mentioned as well as the Passover.

The bridge of the song (with the recognisable lyrics "Die, by my hand!") was written by Hammett in his former band Exodus for the song "Die by His Hand". The song was recorded and released by Exodus as a demo, but never featured on a studio album.

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 doors, 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

Notes

Written By: Hetfield/Ulrich/Burton/Hammett
Copyright © 1984 Creeping Death Music (ASCAP)
International Copyright Secured
All Rights Reserved