These Colours Don't Run

The title of the song is inspired by Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson's words during their performance of "The Trooper" during what is called "the Ozzfest incident" among fans. Despite their set and equipment being sabotaged during the festival in Florida, Iron Maiden continued to perform. Typically, Dickinson waves a British flag during the song. At this performance, a saboteur was on stage waving an American flag. This caused Dickinson to comment, "This is a British flag, and these colours don't f--king run." On the DVD for A Matter of Life and Death, Dickinson confirmed that the phrase refers to the colors on the British flag.