"The Trooper" is a song written by Iron
Maiden bass player Steve Harris. It is Iron Maiden's ninth
single, and the second from their 1983 album Piece of Mind.
The single was released on June 20, 1983. The song is about
the Battle of Balaclava in 1854 during the Crimean War, and
is at least partially based upon Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem
"The Charge of the Light Brigade", taking
the viewpoint of one of the slain troopers, who, in the
cover art, is perceived as a bald Eddie. Many Iron Maiden
songs are based on books or movies; this seems to be a
running theme in the band's work, especially songs written
by Steve Harris.