He had white horses
And ladies by the score
All dressed in satin
And waiting by the door

Oooh, what a lucky man he was

White lace and feathers
They made up his bed
A gold covered mattress
On which he was laid

He went to fight wars
For his country and his king
Of his honor and his glory
The people would sing

A bullet had found him
His blood ran as he cried
No money could save him
So he laid down and he died





Lyrics submitted by thedanman344

Track duration: 04:37


Lucky Man song meanings
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17 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:In the 1970s, when I was 16 or 17, they were playing this in a stereo shop (where I had no hope of buying anything) to show off their sound system. It was Awesome and I've never forgotten.
    Flag Christi59on December 03, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I interpret it as irony. The song goes to show how little material things mean in the grand scheme of things. He had all the physical pleasures he could ask for, but in the end he just died crying in the dirt. The line, "No money could save him" I think points towards this interpretation somewhat clearly. He's no lucky man.
    Flag Chard121on November 30, 2011   Link
  • +2
    General Comment:I discovered this song during the 80's when my sister worked in a hospital. She had occasion to visit the hospital morgue (in the basement) and told me a few strange, sad tales. For some reason, I got those tales of the morgue associated with this song and every time I hear it, I think "morgue". Sort of a good morgue song, if you must have one... I'm sure, one day, when I'm laying in a morgue, I'll have this song stuck in my head.
    Flagged ricksacuraon April 22, 2010   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:I think that this song portrays a cynical, yet realistic perspective as to how unaware society is to its own demise from being susceptible to the pretentious. However, the musicians were very young when this song was written, and therefore, I find it hard to believe that they were fully aware of the true depth of their lyrics.

    There is also a double edged blade to the lyrics, as the lower classes that those are far more likely to fall victim in the military. Perhaps the song attempts to convey that everyone eventually loses in a malicious situation - In reality, however, that is (in my humblest opinion) far from reality. Equality is a myth and freedom of choice is relative.

    Flag cosmicvibrationson June 02, 2009   Link
  • 0
    Memory:This song always makes me want to cry.
    Flag darthdavidon January 09, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:kay, i agree that the beatles were better than elp, but how are you guys justifying your argument when the beatles were quite clearly not a trio.
    Flagged thirsty_thursdayon October 28, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:First of all, I totally agree with Atemporal. Anyway, this song was written about a nobleman during World War I (I'm asuming he was from England) It shows no matter how much money and beautiful women you have, there is nothing that can save you from death and the cold, hard facts of life. There was two reasons why he was lucky: 1. He had so many riches and wonderful things, and 2. he died swiftly, but sad and horribly. Truly a wonderful, yet sad song. ELP rocks!
    Flag elchido12on September 12, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:hey debrah...before you crown ELP "the most innovative trio of musicians ever"...i'd suggest you google the names lennon, mccartney and harrison. throw in starr for good measure. phhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
    Flag Atemporalon March 12, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Did you know that Greg Lake wrote this song when he was 12 years old? ELP is and was by far the most innovative trio of musicians ever. Just brilliant.
    Flagged debrahon December 30, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:I remember when this song came out and a local radio station in Texas had a special obout JFK on the anniversary of his death. They played this song. It made my Mom cry. It does kinda fit the whole Camelot of the JFK era.
    Flag jugheadchadon September 30, 2007   Link

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