Context

This line is from the poem "The Charge of the Light Brigade" by Alfred Lord Tennyson (1854).

Yay, certain death! What better to celebrate the demise of 600 British soldiers, and probably a few horses, than with a poem? Tennyson decided to do just that, which, in his day, was like Billy Ray Cyrus singing a song about war and sacrifice.

This grim quote becomes Tennyson's refrain. He describes the noble soldiers riding "into the valley of Death" or "into the jaws of Death" or "into the mouth of Hell," which is how we feel listening to that Billy Ray Cyrus song.

At least that song hasn't killed us (yet), unlike the fate of the poor Light Brigade. There is "cannon to the left of them" and cannon to the right, and they are stuck in the middle with death. So stuck, they never get out. Billy Ray Cyrus is probably the better option.

Where you've heard it

You've heard this if you're charging headfirst into a hopeless situation. It might be the last thing you hear.

Additional Notable References:

• Turns out The Blind Side isn't just about football. Check out this excellent Light Brigade reference.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10. Pretentious 7:

Unless you happen to be an expert on this particular event in British history, please keep your Tennyson to yourself.