"The Trooper" is about the Crimean War, which was fought by the Russians and the Ottoman Empire (England, France, and Sardinia) from 1853-1856. There are several mentions of the Russians in the song, including the lines, "The mighty roar of the Russian guns" and "When a Russian gets me in his sights." While the song deals specifically with the Crimean War, it holds relevance in modern times. "Sadly, it seems like there's always a new conflict to write about," lead singer Bruce Dickinson explained.
The opening with the galloping horses is based on "The Charge Of The Light Brigade," an 1854 poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson.
Steve Harris, Iron Maiden's bass player and a founding member of the group, wrote this song. He wrote the lion's share of their songs.
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