This song is about the science fiction films Village of the Damned and Children of the Damned from 1960 and 1964 respectively. These are about telepathic children who are chased by the military, but just want to live unharmed in a secure location.
Vocalist Bruce Dickinson said the song was inspired...
[Verse 1]
He's walking like a small child
But watch his eyes burn you away
Black holes in his golden stare
God knows he wants to go home
[Chorus]
Children of the damned
Children of the damned
Children of the damned
Children of the damned
[Verse 2]
He's walking like a dead man
If he had lived he would've crucified us all
Now he's standing on his last step
He thought, "Oblivion? Well, it beckons us all"
[Chorus]
Children of the damned
Children of the damned
Children of the damned
Children of the damned
[Bridge]
Now it's burning his hands, he's turning to laugh
Smiles as the flame sears his flesh
Melting his face, screaming in pain
Peeling the skin from his eyes
Watch him die according to plan
He's dust on the ground, what did we learn?
[Instrumental Break]
Oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
[Outro]
You're children of the damned
Your backs' against the wall
You turn into the light
You're burning in the night
You're children of the damned
Like candles, watch them burn
Burning in the light
You'll burn again tonight
Children of the damned
Children of the Damned was written by Steve Harris.
Children of the Damned was produced by Martin Birch.
Iron Maiden released Children of the Damned on Mon Mar 22 1982.