[“The Nomad”] is a big Lawrence of Arabia type vibe. That is the sort of stuff I really like, the sort of stuff I get off on, film theme music. It is a big influence really. It always has been though, so it’s not as if we have gone off in a different direction. That is the sort of thing people alway...
[Verse 1]
Like a mirage riding on the desert sand
Like a vision floating with the desert winds
Know the secret of the ancient desert lands
You are the keeper of the mystery in your hands
[Pre-Chorus]
Nomad, rider of the ancient east
Nomad, rider that men know the least
Nomad, where you come from, no one knows
Nomad, where you go to, no one tells
[Verse 2]
Under cover of the veil of your disguise
The men that fear you are the ones that you despise
No one's certain what your future will behold
You're a legend, your own story will be told
[Pre-Chorus]
Nomad, rider of the ancient east
Nomad, rider that men know the least
Nomad, where you come from, no one knows
Nomad, where you go to, no one tells
[Verse 3]
No one dares to even look or glance your way
Your reputation goes before you, they all say
Like a spirit that can disappear at will
Many claim of things, but no one's seen you kill
[Chorus 1]
Nomad, you're the rider so mysterious
Nomad, you're the spirit that men fear in us
Nomad, you're the rider of the desert sands
No man's ever understood your genius
[Verse 4]
Those who see you in horizon desert sun
Those who fear your reputation hide or run
You send before you a mystique that's all your own
Your silhouette is like a statue carved in stone
[Chorus 2]
Nomad, you're the rider so mysterious
Nomad, you're the spirit that men fear in us
Nomad, you're the rider of the desert sands
No man ever understood your genius
[Instrumental Break: 2:55-3:50
2:56 - Solo played by Adrian Smith
3:19 - Solo played by Janick Gers
3:34 - Solo played by Dave Murray]
[Verse 5]
Legend has it that you speak an ancient tongue
But no one's spoke to you and lived to tell the tale
Some may say that you have killed a hundred men
Others say that you will die and live again
[Chorus 2]
Nomad, you're the rider so mysterious
Nomad, you're the spirit that men fear in us
Nomad, you're the rider of the desert sands
No man ever understood your genius
[Instrumental Outro]
The Nomad was written by Steve Harris & Dave Murray.
The Nomad was produced by Steve Harris & Kevin Shirley.
Iron Maiden released The Nomad on Mon May 29 2000.
[“The Nomad”] is about the Bedouin, the warrior tribes of the desert. (…) The lyrics are there to basically tell you about nomads and about how mysterious and strange they were, how they were pretty nifty and jolly fearful people and that’s what it is. The big picture is the effect the song has.
—B...