Jimmy Page: How Stairway to Heaven was written

Stairway to Heaven was one of the biggest rock songs of the 1970s - loved, imitated and sometimes parodied. Now Led Zeppelin's classic track is back on the turntable, on a re-mastered version of the band's fourth album. 43 years after its release, the song continues to hold a place in many music fans' hearts. Guitarist Jimmy Page gives a personal account of how a rock anthem came together.

Lyrics

There's a lady who's sure All that glitters is gold And she's buying a stairway to heaven When she gets there she knows If the stores are all closed With a word she can get what she came for

Oh oh oh oh and she's buying a stairway to heaven

There's a sign on the wall But she wants to be sure 'Cause you know sometimes words have two meanings In a tree by the brook There's a songbird who sings Sometimes all of our thoughts are misgiving

Ooh, it makes me wonder Ooh, it makes me wonder

There's a feeling I get When I look to the west And my spirit is crying for leaving In my thoughts I have seen Rings of smoke through the trees And the voices of those who standing looking

Ooh, it makes me wonder Ooh, it really makes me wonder

And it's whispered that soon, If we all call the tune Then the piper will lead us to reason And a new day will dawn For those who stand long And the forests will echo with laughter

If there's a bustle in your hedgerow Don't be alarmed now It's just a spring clean for the May queen Yes, there are two paths you can go by But in the long run There's still time to change the road you're on

And it makes me wonder

Your head is humming and it won't go In case you don't know The piper's calling you to join him Dear lady, can you hear the wind blow And did you know Your stairway lies on the whispering wind

And as we wind on down the road Our shadows taller than our soul There walks a lady we all know Who shines white light and wants to show How everything still turns to gold And if you listen very hard The tune will come to you at last When all are one and one is all To be a rock and not to roll

And she's buying the stairway to heaven

Songwriters: Jimmy Page / Robert Plant

Stairway to Heaven lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc