Overload (album)/Hero of the Day

These are the lyrics to Hero of the Day, a song originally released on American heavy metal band Metallica's "Load" album in 1996. The song is about vocalist and rhythm guitarist James Hetfield's flashbacks of his mother, having been left open to survive in a world that tries to continuously break him, and longs for her comfort. On the remastered album Overload, the superstar reflects on these thoughts when in the hospital, and asks his long-gone mother if she can hear her baby crying.

Lyrics
'' Mama, they try and break me

The window burns to light the way back home A light that warms, no matter where they've gone They're off to find the hero of the day But what if they should fall by someone's wicked way

Still the window burns Time so slowly turns Someone there is sighing Keepers of the flames Do you feel your name? Can't you hear your babies crying?

Mama, they try and break me Still, they try and break me

Excuse me while I tend to how I feel These things return to me that still seem real Now deservingly this easy chair But the rocking's stopped by wheels of despair

Don't want your hate But the fist I've made For years can't hold or feel No, I'm not all me So please excuse me While I tend to how I feel

But now the dreams and waking screams That ever last the night So build a wall, behind it crawl And hide until it's light So can you hear your babies crying now?

Still the window burns Time so slowly turns And someone there is sighing Keepers of the flames Can't you hear your names? Can't you hear your babies crying?

But now the dreams and waking screams That ever last the night So build a wall, behind it crawl And hide until it's light So can't you hear your babies crying now?

Mama, they try and break me Mama, they try and break me Mama, they try and break me Mama, they try Mama, they try

Mama, they try and break me Mama, they try and break me Mama, they try and break me Mama, they try Mama, they try ''

Trivia

 * The song, among several others from Load and ReLoad, was given orchestral treatment in the album S&M.