The sentimental rock ballad Soldier of Fortune is considered a classic of the genre and is one of Deep Purple’s most famous compositions. The song performed by them was not released as a single and did not participate in the charts, but it is still found in a huge number of thematic collections, which confirms its incredible popularity.
The story of the song & the meaning of the song Soldier of Fortune
Soldier of Fortune owes its current place in the history of music not only to the talent of the authors, David Coverdale and Ritchie Blackmore, but also to the perseverance of the latter. Although the rest of the Deep Purple members strongly disliked the song, Richie persuaded them to include it on the 1974 album Stormbringer and continued to perform even after leaving the band.
The name Soldier of Fortune, translated into German, means “soldier of fortune”, or “mercenary”. I did not come across the statements of David Coverdale, who wrote her lyrics, about the meaning of the song, and I do not want to share personal guesses. Let everyone interpret it as he sees fit.
The song can be heard on several Deep Purple live albums and compilations of her best tracks. Blackmore’s Night’s version of “Soldier of Fortune” was sung by Candice Night.
Video of Soldier of Fortune by Deep Purple
Let’s watch the music video for the famous song of the legendary band.
Soldier of Fortune cover versions
Over the years, the song was recorded by Whitesnake, Opeth, Black Majesty and some other bands.
Watch the video clip of Soldier of Fortune by Whitesnake.
Soldier of Fortune Lyrics by Deep Purple
I have often told you stories
about the way
I lived the life of a drifter
Waiting for the day
When I’d take your hand
And sing you songs
Then maybe you would say
“Come lay with me, love me”
And I would surely stay
But I feel I’m growing older
And the songs that I have sung
echo in the distance
Like the sound
Of a windmill goin’ round
I guess I’ll always be
A soldier of fortune
Many times I’ve been a traveler
I looked for something new
In days of old
When nights were cold
I wandered without you
But those days I thought my eyes
Had seen you standing near
Thought blindness is confusing
It shows that you’re not here
Now I feel I’m growing older
And the songs that I have sung
echo in the distance
Like the sound
Of a windmill goin’ round
I guess I’ll always be
A soldier of fortune
Yes, I can hear the sound
Of a windmill go round
I guess I’ll always be
A soldier of fortune
Lyrics of Soldier of Fortune by Deep Purple Alternate
I often told you stories
How
I lived as a wanderer
Waiting for the day
When I take your hand
And I will sing you songs
Perhaps then you will say:
“Come lay with me, love me”
And of course I will stay
But I feel like I’m getting old
And the songs that I sang
Echoes in the distance
like a sound
Rotating windmill
I think I’ll stay forever
soldier of fortune
Many times I’ve been a traveler
I was looking for something new
In old times,
When the nights were cold
I wandered without you
But in those days it seemed to me that my eyes
We saw you standing nearby
Though the darkness is confusing
She points out that you’re not here
Now I feel like I’m getting old
And the songs that I sang
Echoes in the distance
like a sound
Rotating windmill
I think I’ll stay forever
soldier of fortune
Yes I can hear the sound
Rotating windmill
I think I’ll stay forever
soldier of fortune
Song quote
One of my favourite songs. It has some of those medieval chords.
Ritchie Blackmore
