A cool thing about Sovngarde, is it has the same lyrics as the Song of the Dragonborn, which is the main theme. You can find the lyrics in a songbook in-game, which translates the dragon language and mentions that the song is so ancient that the real music has been lost to time and modern bards have just improvised a melody to go along with the lyrics. What this implies is that the main theme is just something the modern Nords have made to go along with their ancient song, but Sovngarde, which only plays in Sovngarde, is the original.
What really makes me love this song in particular is that the lyrics of this song are essentially singing that you're going to destroy Alduin. This isn't the final boss' theme. It's your theme. YOU are the final boss. So cool.
Bro u said exactly what I remember and why this is my favorite piece of Skyrim music is because I’ll never forget walking into Sovngarde for the first time
I find it insane how creative an human can be, even more deep, how years of evolution, going from apes with no IQ to people who can write stories/scripts like TES lore
When the tables have turned. The story starts with running away and warning others of the coming danger, but ends with actively pursuing the retreating enemy.
I'm telling you man, this is 10x MORE powerful in context of the game. To set the scene: You've been battling multiple dragons as you climb Alduin's hidden temple and finally cross through his portal into Sovngarde. You come through the other end into a massive field with glowing skies and a gargantuan feast hall off in the distance across the bone bridge made of a colossal creature's spine. You gather up the greatest heroes of old who fought Alduin again, they aid you in flushing him out of hiding, and this song is playing the whole time as you finally catch the bastard and put an end to him.
Out of all the songs in the Elder Scrolls series, "Sovngarde" remains my favourite. It is a slower, more operatic version of "Dragonborn", and in-universe is likely the original version, even including an extra verse when compared to the main theme; Ahrk fin zul, rok drey kod, nau tol morokei frod, | And the Voice, he did wield, on that glorious field, Rul lot Taazokaan motaad voth kein! | When great Tamriel shuddered with war! Sahrot Thu'um, med aan tuz, vey zeim hokoron pah, | Mighty Thu'um, like a blade, cut through enemies all, Ol fin Dovahkiin komeyt ok rein! | As the Dragonborn issued his roar! And then add in the fact that both "Dragonborn" and "Sovngarde" are prayers to honour and seek divine favour from the Dragonborn, as sung in the first and last verses, then this song truly gives the impression that the Dragonborn, Dov-Ah-Kiin, Ysmir Dragon-of-the-North, is hero of myth, a hero born of divine blood, to wage war on behalf of Mortality. You are the Hero-God, you are Thor fighting the Jotnar in defense of Midgard, you are Herakles performing the 12 Labours, you are Pwyll mortally wounding Hafgan in one strike to win rulership of Annwn.
@@GabrielRojasAhumada I would argue that Thor *is* a good example. Mythological Thor, not the God of War version. In myth, the Aesir, the Vanir and the Jotnar are less like different species and more like various tribes of the same kind of being, who are warring with each other. Unlike in GoW, the Aesir are primarily on the defensive, which is the reason they had their giant wall built; nigh-constant raids from the Jotnar. Aesir aggression was the exception, rather than the norm, in the wars they fought, and in the sagas, Thor lives up to his title of Defender of Mankind, providing us with rain to grow our crops and lightning to smite our foes. Am I saying that Thor is the advertised Christian model of an all-loving deity? No. What I am saying is that Thor deserves his place among the list of hero-deities I gave. More on GoW Thor; I fucking love the God of War franchise, and I fucking love their interpretation of Norse mythology, but fundamentally, they are two different beasts. Reinterpretation isn't new in mythology. The popular form of Medusa's backstory is found in Ovid's "Metamorphoses", which is a Roman collection of poems written centuries after the popularisation of the original story. The original story where, instead of being the victim, Medusa willingly broke her vows to Athena.
Funny little story about this track. Back when Skyrim was a new-ish game I had built my first gaming PC just to play it. I was very proud of my build with all its glowing, pulsing lights in the main tower and in most of the auxiliary devices, and not a bad set of speakers hooked up to boot. My little niece ( 6 y/o) was coming over and I wanted to show her my new computer and for her to be really impressed by it. So I dimmed the lights in the room, put on the coolest wallpaper I had, and timed it so that this song would be softly playing over the sound system when she made her way to the room with the PC in it, as if just by magic, for that extra gravitas. This had exactly the intended effect with my niece starting off by just peeking curiously around the doorway at the computer, and then approaching very slowly and respectfully to take a closer look, just like a video game protagonist who just found a sacred/possibly dangerous relic in a temple. Lol, this is my favorite memory associated with this song. Kudos to Jeremy Soule for helping me impress a little girl. 😅.
I'm a huge Skyrim and Elderscrolls lore fan. I've had a pre built for the last 5 years and finally decided to build my own in preparation for Starfield, which I hope will live up to expectation. Just the thought of exploring a new Bethesda world and discovering locations and unique items gets me excited.
@@bonefetcherbrimley7740 Unfortunately no not really. I bought her a couple consoles over the years and games she would theoretically like but she just never took to any games sadly. It's alright though. We have some other interests in common. She's a good kid.
@@GlitchFade2077 The Sovngarde theme is the complete song. Dragonborn is an estimation of how it should've sounded since the tune was canonically unknown. But ofc the land of the dead remembers. The Sovngarde song also has some words that are missing in Dragonborn. Just another detail to illustrate that it is the complete song as it was originally written.
@@Good_Hot_Chocolate song was sooooo old that the people still alive forgot the lyrics to it but in the land of the undead it's still remembered. Kinda cool how sovengard is like the looming past of the old ways while in the mortal realm the song has been changed to give essence to the new/next generation to come.
@@RebelGiga Not just the lyrics, the lyrics were written down in almost their entirety, but the tune, the way it sounded with instruments, was not recorded anywhere. That is why they sound so different. Dragonborn just made a tune to fit it, but Sovngarde plays it true. Both are great though tbh.
It's not often Marco is left this speechless. Sometimes he just jams and indulges in the music but here he just can't add anything that isn't coveyed by the music. Which is fitting because this is your boss theme, not Alduin's. It is a song talking about how you will slay Alduin, a song of defiance and of power.
@ianjames1754 If you read the translated lyrics it becomes even more overt. The lyrics outright recite the myth, the legend, the destiny of us, the Dragonborn. And that myth has one single ending. Alduin, the World Eater will remember his place and return it whether he wants to or not
Apparently, the voices singing the song are supposed to be all the souls lost in Alduin's soul snare mist. The song is the souls announcing that the Dragonborn, the hero, has finally come to free them from the darkness.
imagine being a timeless beast, destined to eat the world in its fullness, and you hear your victims singing about how not only are you about to die, its the same dude who chased you here in the first place. He retreated to an afterlife to recover, and somehow this nutter just runs in after him. Youre an endless monster, being chased by a fucking lunatic
Even though I've replayed Skyrim 100 times - and the Special Edition another 100 times, I still get the chills when hear this song. Also because I'm Scandinavian, and the Nord culture is heavily inspired by the ancient Vikings that were my ancestors.
Lyrics translated from Dragon to English that I yoinked from google: Dragonborn, Dragonborn by his honor is sworn To keep evil forever at bay! And the fiercest foes rout when they hear triumph's shout Dragonborn, for your blessing we pray!
Hearken now, sons of snow, to an age, long ago And the tale, boldly told, of the one! Who was kin to both wyrm and the races of man with a power to rival the sun!
And the voice, he did weild, on that glorious field When great Tamriel shuddered with war! Mighty Thu'um, like a blade, cut through enemies all As the Dragonborn issued his roar!
And the Scrolls have foretold, of black wings in the cold That when brothers wage war come unfurled! Alduin, Bane of Kings, ancient shadow unbound With a hunger to swallow the world!
But a day, shall arise, when the dark dragon's lies Will be silenced forever and then! Fair Skyrim will be free from foul Alduin's maw Dragonborn be the savior of men!
Dragonborn, Dragonborn, by his honor is sworn To keep evil forever at bay! And the fiercest foes rout when they hear triumph's shout Dragonborn, for your blessing we pray!
@@kamirostorino9416It was originally written in English, and then the Dovahzul language seen in the game was created around the song to be able to fit the meter and rhyme scheme. I think this is the only time a fictional language (with phonology and grammar that isn't just English with different words) was created solely for a song.
Holly crap. I replayed this game like 20 times. But its been yeeaaaars. I was like what song is this? Within the literal first second I was like "OHHH THIS BANGER!" Man I love this song. You hear it in such a cool area of the game. SPOILERS!! Its in this ethereal afterlife for all nords who died honourably in battle. So fricking cool.
I replay Skyrim occasionally too, but I've only finished it thrice. Once for the base release, once for Dawnguard and once for Dragonborn. So it's been a LONG while for me too! And this brought up some good nostalgia.
In fact, lore-wise, it's the souls lost in the fog that are singing. They're your little brother, you're the big brother who's just about to graduate and Alduin is the school bully two grades below you. They're taunting him, saying he's gonna get it now that you're here.
I choose to believe this song is diegetic meaning its being heard by everyone in Sovngarde itself. I just like the idea that as soon as you arrive, Alduin just starts hearing the sky singing that he's about to die
I’ve always preferred the idea that it is a song being actively sung. Sovngarde is entirely populated by the warriors of the Nordic race. Generation after generation of devout warriors steeped in the tradition and mythology of their people, dating back all the way to when these words were first written on Alduin’s Wall. Every single one of them would have grown up knowing the story told in the song. Imagine all of them, scores upon untold scores of proud warriors, chanting this song in unison in direct defiance of Alduin who has invaded their home. So many that the song can be heard in all corners of the realm, beckoning the Dragonborn forth towards their destiny
In other words, it's you're boss theme. Alduin gets that "why do I hear music" moment when the sky itself breaks out in song. And if it is that, you bet your ass the hall of heroes all join in, chanting along, knowing that the battle happening will decided everything
As a fellow Elder Scrolls enjoyer, and ravenous Elder Scrolls lore fanatic, It's a pleasant sight to see Marco checking out some of the music from the series.
It's catchy. Powerful. Constantly driving forward with intensity. A men's choir with basically no accompaniment apart from some drums. Damn, that's such a cool piece. And you only hear it in the endgame, which makes it a rare treat.
One thing I like about Sovngarde is looking at it from the view of the bridge guard. This songs plays as he watches you descend through the fog, ready to settle things once and for all. Alduins roars echoing from the sky. Your arrival here in game really makes you feel like the legend you play as.
This is practically the final skyrim theme and it plays when you enter the gods realm. Whole universe looking at you as the main character, and you as a player heading towards the hall of heroes to destroy one of the biggest threats to a universe. OST is literally YOUR battle-cry before final battle Also it was funny to see your reaction at 1:44
Skyrim's OST is often described as the most extensive and complete of Jeremy Soule's Elder Scrolls OSTs, but for me nothing comes close to the haunting Call of Magic, and the beautiful exotic simplicity of the Morrowind OST. You should give that a listen soon! Also, I wonder how you'd appreciate the Gothic OST by Kai Rosenkranz. My late grandfather, who was very much into music, would often exalt it as an example of a very "baroque" style. I don't know about any of this musical analysis stuff, I just think it sounds great.
the fact they made up the Dovah language for the game and this choir sang in it is just awesome, i bet if JRR Tolkien was still alive he'd enjoy the work the Bethesda team put into the Elder Scrolls franchise
The main theme is far more popular but this is definitely my favourite track! The choral arrangement just feels more impactful and the modulation is just glorious! I'm just imagining singing this in a mens chorus in a ring with my friends trying to outdo each other.]
I love your reactions to this beautiful song! Every time that I do hear this amazing song gives me goosebumps! Plus , Skyrim and it's music are one of my top favorite video games and video game soundtracks! ❤
Finally we are with Skyrim. I've played over 10.000 hours and it is definitely my favorite game of all time. Glad to see you are reacting to it! I'd suggest you react to the main theme of Skyrim as it is a different kind of version of this one (like in Elden Ring with main theme + final battle)
I just installed 400+ mods and restarted the game. It is truly gorgeous looking now but alas my 3060ti isn't up to the task. Payday tomorrow and a 7900xtx is going into the mix.
It IS a due for the dead, but also of the dead. This is every single soul in Sovngarde hailing the Dragonborn, foreshadowing the true Death of Alduin, the First Dragon, and the Devourer of worlds. And the drums start kicking in, the very moment your character sets foot in that realm. Imagine how Alduin must feel at that moment, when the souls he just ate now sings of His Death...
THIS!! This is EXACTLY why Skyrim has been so persistent in gaming culture! It's a man's game that can be played by all, but contains OLD and persistent themes that span thousands of years while being true today.
A womans game as far as I am concerned, I am 74 and I have played it since my son gave it me on cd for a birthday, he knows my tastes in games. That song gave me the shivers each time I step into Sovenguard.
Oh man, took you this long to get to this masterpiece? It’s been a permanent fix on my playlists since the launch of Skyrim itself. Easily one of the best OSTs of all time. All of Skyrim’s, that is.
You can tell how experienced this guy really is and how much he’s feeling the music. Around the 3:15 mark when you’re actively predicting the way the song goes, I can see the gears working and the melodies coming together in your brain and it’s SO COOL I love it when people can do that. My old choir conductor from high school could do that and it always gave me chills seeing someone so proficient with music. Keep at it!!!!
Greatest game of all time in my opinion. The visuals, the scenery, the music, the atmosphere, and the story just blended together perfectly. This game made me feel things like no other game.
Yeah this is very different from what you expect. I'm pretty sure when I first heard this at the end of the game I was standing on the steps leading down into the valley where you hear it, just staring up at the "sky" and listening to the song for like 10min.
Sovngard in a thousand parallel universes could be related to Classical Music and Opera but i will always consider this a masterpiece that deserves a place up there
The bass drum throughout the song gives me chills because it sounds like it symbolizes the Dragonborns steps being very powerful and earth-quaking as he nears Alduin for their final fight.
When you first enter the afterlife of Skyrim, and start hearing that, its like what is going on and so beautiful with how the sky looks but you see this mist before you...Alduin must pay for all he has done. This is YOUR song. A thrum of power and might welling up inside you as you listen to these powerful drums and vocals to spur you to action. Alduin's might cannot measure up to what YOU stand for. Life and love for what the Great North has shown you, what it strives for, what it struggles to hold onto, and weeping for sons lost to the belly of unending hunger. But YOU will end Alduin's unending hunger once you face him. That's the emotion of this song. It spurs one to action, even after so long of playing it, it stills instills within me a sense of wonder, hope, and drive to move forward.
YEAH!! i mentioned skyrim music when you did that google form questionnaire a while back, so i am glad to see you listening!! such a beautiful soundtrack to a game that, uh.. has a lot of character. i love it though, it's my "comfort game" 😅❤
Man, this really brings me back. When i entered Sovngarde i could just stand there, listening to this masterpiece, completely in aw. I was so blown away. Real Goosebump Material 😅
I listened to the Skyrim soundtrack for years before finally buying thr game. There is music that somehow is nostalgic from the first moment you hear it, remembering with fondness a world you've never visted but it touches you deeply in your soul. Such is the talent of Jeremy Soule.
I guess it's worth mentioning that basically, the song Dragonborn, speaks of Alduins return and the coming of the Dragonborn. While Sovngarde basically just says "hey Alduins. He's here. Good luck."
ahh i remember hearing this when you just enter sovngarde, with all the mist, the lost souls, the chills, i stayed still for minutes just to listen the ost, i love skyrim so much 😍
Even though I may not love Skyrim as my favourite RPG today, there is no denying that soundtrack of this game is good beyond belief. All the pieces are filled with so much atmosphere and heart that even by listening you can just enter a different world. Soule did an insane job here and it's an OST that just lives on itself, even without the game in the background which just shows how strong it is.
I will never not get chills. I love this music. I love Skyrim! Also lol yer you cant not do those gestures haha we started at the same time XD it's like mandatory.
Season Unending!! Best ending for the main questline of the game!!!! Quite a sight to see, getting to AASGARD and meeting with old battle friends!!!!!!
I think it’s amazing how the same song can spark different feelings. While, for you, it sounds driven and brave, for me it sounds sorrowful yet peaceful at the same time like the people of Skyrim singing their farewell to a hero who has passed and the warriors at Sovngarde sing to welcome a new soul to their hall
Now’s a great time to replay Skyrim, there’s at least another 5-10 years before the next installment of Elder Scrolls. The first time I heard this song was at 3:00 am when the game was new and I could stay up all night drinking mead as I went to slay Alduin in Sovengarde. Very dramatic effect playing in a dark room so late at night!
Still remember my first time hearing this and how powerful it made me feel as the protagonist! Like this is YOUR boss theme. This is what Alduin is hearing as he's been cornered with nowhere left to run!
Definitely my favourite piece from Skyrim. It sounds to primitive and like you said: very masculine. Definitely gives me chills. The shouts are definitely super cool, off-beat if I'm correct in saying this? They're like parts where it kinda feels like total overwhelming. Like this certain rhythm is like giving you a very certain shape and sound and shouts feel like breaking out of bounds, but still musically as they are very melodic shouts. Even though tenor is lead, I feel like bass gives it so much soul, supports the lead super well. I think 0:40 is a very good example with bass coming in with the canon to really emphasize that part of the song. Also, the harmony at 2:24 at the word "lo" sounded so nice that the first time I heared it, I rolled it back quite a few times lol. There definitely is something about only men singing. It kinda gives this weird brotherhood feeling.
What I love about this is that if you look up when your in sovengarde and after you beat alduin the sky is so pretty, hell I have a save point there so I can come back whenever to listen to it.
I have such a deep love for this game. The music is absolutely PHENOMENAL. It really adds to the Dragonborn “you’re gonna kill Alduin” theme and I’m here for it.
As the name implies, this plays when you enter Sovngarde, essentially Elder Scrolls Valhalla. You come here chasing the evil Dragon, Alduin, who has come here to feast on the souls of the dead to empower himself. To fight him, you team up with other heroes of legend who had fought him before. Standing side by side with them, you cement yourself as not only their equal, but their better in that you defeat Alduin where they failed before. Becoming a living legend in defeating this nearly godlike foe.
@@aleksandarjankovic39wouldn’t really make sense as the ebony warrior is a redguard and only such, your theory only works is if you’re playing as a redguard
Still one of my absolute favorite pieces from skyrim, along with watch the sky. It really felt like I was stepping into some kind of glorious realm of comradery and mighty deeds.
The funny thing about Soverngard vs The Dragonborn song is that the song isn't just one Nord singing it's literally the Entire Great Hall of Soverngard Singing to hail the true First and Original Dragon God Shor also known as Lorkhan whose Heart's blood bound tight the Liminal Bridges between Nirn and Oblivion.
Ok but all the animations this guy has in listening to it is exactly what I’m doing in my head every time I hear Sovngarde play like you can feel the POWER in it and I just love it so much
![[Watch Party] APL 2024 รอบ 8 ทีมสุดท้าย ไทยต้องแชมป์ !](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/NctOkvaex-Y/mqdefault.jpg)
A cool thing about Sovngarde, is it has the same lyrics as the Song of the Dragonborn, which is the main theme. You can find the lyrics in a songbook in-game, which translates the dragon language and mentions that the song is so ancient that the real music has been lost to time and modern bards have just improvised a melody to go along with the lyrics. What this implies is that the main theme is just something the modern Nords have made to go along with their ancient song, but Sovngarde, which only plays in Sovngarde, is the original.
Whoa I didn’t know that! That is so cool!
I’m so shocked that I want to cry from how amazing this information is about this song 💀
Dude, that is so awesome.
And it’s so fitting that the gods sing the original melody as you march to kill the firstborn of akatosh
Bro the lore always manage to amaze me. Everytime i want to read about just one thing I end up with an hour of reading lore
What really makes me love this song in particular is that the lyrics of this song are essentially singing that you're going to destroy Alduin.
This isn't the final boss' theme. It's your theme. YOU are the final boss.
So cool.
This is what Alduin hears when he sees you approach
put some mods and now you are god
@@generalolicon1788 why mods just use game features such as enchanting and alchemy loop to become unkillable
@@MrPhalanx2 it's not about boosting the stats, this is about feeling like a god. You know, some colorful magic and impactful shouts
I like to imagine all the nords began singing this when we first arrived, as if they felt us arrive
Getting to Sovngarde, looking up at the sky and hearing this song was one of my best gaming memories as a kid
Always will be
word of word, bar for bar
In VR it's better
Bro u said exactly what I remember and why this is my favorite piece of Skyrim music is because I’ll never forget walking into Sovngarde for the first time
BRO TELL ME ABOUT IT, IM 20 NOW AND PLAYED AS A VERY YOUNG TEEN
The lore in Elder Scrolls has got to be some of the most original and wild stuff I’ve ever read.
I find it insane how creative an human can be, even more deep, how years of evolution, going from apes with no IQ to people who can write stories/scripts like TES lore
Yeah I'm pretty sure the guy who did the lore from morrowind had acid before making it
Just might be the greatest story ever told
Divinity series lore is pretty good too
i dont belive in the evolution theory but that is not how the theory work @@juancontreras2711
When the tables have turned. The story starts with running away and warning others of the coming danger, but ends with actively pursuing the retreating enemy.
I am NOT "in danger", Delphine, I AM the danger!
@@bandawin18 A guy opens his door and gets slain by an axe, and you think that of me? No. I am the one who knocks!
@@g29000a guy opens his door and gets his soul sucked out of him and you think that of me? No.. I am the one who sucks!
Wait what
@@ZeroReaver11 The legendary dragon sucker
@@bandawin18hahahahaha I legit always tell her this every play through
I'm telling you man, this is 10x MORE powerful in context of the game.
To set the scene: You've been battling multiple dragons as you climb Alduin's hidden temple and finally cross through his portal into Sovngarde. You come through the other end into a massive field with glowing skies and a gargantuan feast hall off in the distance across the bone bridge made of a colossal creature's spine. You gather up the greatest heroes of old who fought Alduin again, they aid you in flushing him out of hiding, and this song is playing the whole time as you finally catch the bastard and put an end to him.
Thanks for setting the scene for us
Spoiler lol
Spoilers from a game made 10+ years ago... lol.@@iconic2310 If you havent played and beat this game yet. You NEVER will.
the moment i got to sovngarde and heard this.... i literally stopped.. couldn't move.... i took everything in for some reason...
@@iconic2310 the game is 11 years old, if you haven't played it yet that's your fault
Out of all the songs in the Elder Scrolls series, "Sovngarde" remains my favourite. It is a slower, more operatic version of "Dragonborn", and in-universe is likely the original version, even including an extra verse when compared to the main theme;
Ahrk fin zul, rok drey kod, nau tol morokei frod, | And the Voice, he did wield, on that glorious field,
Rul lot Taazokaan motaad voth kein! | When great Tamriel shuddered with war!
Sahrot Thu'um, med aan tuz, vey zeim hokoron pah, | Mighty Thu'um, like a blade, cut through enemies all,
Ol fin Dovahkiin komeyt ok rein! | As the Dragonborn issued his roar!
And then add in the fact that both "Dragonborn" and "Sovngarde" are prayers to honour and seek divine favour from the Dragonborn, as sung in the first and last verses, then this song truly gives the impression that the Dragonborn, Dov-Ah-Kiin, Ysmir Dragon-of-the-North, is hero of myth, a hero born of divine blood, to wage war on behalf of Mortality. You are the Hero-God, you are Thor fighting the Jotnar in defense of Midgard, you are Herakles performing the 12 Labours, you are Pwyll mortally wounding Hafgan in one strike to win rulership of Annwn.
I don't think thor is really a good example. I mean ... I guess he is , dragon born can do a genocide if the player wants to
@@GabrielRojasAhumada I would argue that Thor *is* a good example. Mythological Thor, not the God of War version.
In myth, the Aesir, the Vanir and the Jotnar are less like different species and more like various tribes of the same kind of being, who are warring with each other. Unlike in GoW, the Aesir are primarily on the defensive, which is the reason they had their giant wall built; nigh-constant raids from the Jotnar. Aesir aggression was the exception, rather than the norm, in the wars they fought, and in the sagas, Thor lives up to his title of Defender of Mankind, providing us with rain to grow our crops and lightning to smite our foes.
Am I saying that Thor is the advertised Christian model of an all-loving deity? No. What I am saying is that Thor deserves his place among the list of hero-deities I gave.
More on GoW Thor; I fucking love the God of War franchise, and I fucking love their interpretation of Norse mythology, but fundamentally, they are two different beasts. Reinterpretation isn't new in mythology. The popular form of Medusa's backstory is found in Ovid's "Metamorphoses", which is a Roman collection of poems written centuries after the popularisation of the original story. The original story where, instead of being the victim, Medusa willingly broke her vows to Athena.
@@WarMonger_the-One-and-Only Damn, dude. Great point and well said in the original comment and the reply. Major respect.
@@mikehorne4053 Thanks, mate.
Funny little story about this track. Back when Skyrim was a new-ish game I had built my first gaming PC just to play it. I was very proud of my build with all its glowing, pulsing lights in the main tower and in most of the auxiliary devices, and not a bad set of speakers hooked up to boot. My little niece ( 6 y/o) was coming over and I wanted to show her my new computer and for her to be really impressed by it. So I dimmed the lights in the room, put on the coolest wallpaper I had, and timed it so that this song would be softly playing over the sound system when she made her way to the room with the PC in it, as if just by magic, for that extra gravitas. This had exactly the intended effect with my niece starting off by just peeking curiously around the doorway at the computer, and then approaching very slowly and respectfully to take a closer look, just like a video game protagonist who just found a sacred/possibly dangerous relic in a temple. Lol, this is my favorite memory associated with this song. Kudos to Jeremy Soule for helping me impress a little girl. 😅.
I'm a huge Skyrim and Elderscrolls lore fan. I've had a pre built for the last 5 years and finally decided to build my own in preparation for Starfield, which I hope will live up to expectation. Just the thought of exploring a new Bethesda world and discovering locations and unique items gets me excited.
LOL you sound like a great uncle 😊
Aww! That sounds cute!
Did she eventually become a gamer? I feel like that experience would instill a like of game music.
@@bonefetcherbrimley7740 Unfortunately no not really. I bought her a couple consoles over the years and games she would theoretically like but she just never took to any games sadly. It's alright though. We have some other interests in common. She's a good kid.
@@thebeatts Ah, fair. Well I am glad you and her get along and share a common interest! I wonder if she likes music.
The in-between shouts are sooo powerful!
There's something so intense about the way they say "FUS RA DOH" and every time they say "Dovahkiin"
@@JayStrunNot to be a grammar Nazi but it's ro not ra.
@@austinsimmons577isint it (FUS-RO-DAH)
@@JayStrun it's fus ro dah bro 💀
The best part about the Sovngarde theme is that it uses the exact same lyrics as Dragonborn, just with a completely different musical arrangement.
Theres a lore reason for that too
@@Good_Hot_Chocolate ?
@@GlitchFade2077 The Sovngarde theme is the complete song. Dragonborn is an estimation of how it should've sounded since the tune was canonically unknown. But ofc the land of the dead remembers. The Sovngarde song also has some words that are missing in Dragonborn. Just another detail to illustrate that it is the complete song as it was originally written.
@@Good_Hot_Chocolate song was sooooo old that the people still alive forgot the lyrics to it but in the land of the undead it's still remembered. Kinda cool how sovengard is like the looming past of the old ways while in the mortal realm the song has been changed to give essence to the new/next generation to come.
@@RebelGiga Not just the lyrics, the lyrics were written down in almost their entirety, but the tune, the way it sounded with instruments, was not recorded anywhere. That is why they sound so different. Dragonborn just made a tune to fit it, but Sovngarde plays it true. Both are great though tbh.
It's not often Marco is left this speechless. Sometimes he just jams and indulges in the music but here he just can't add anything that isn't coveyed by the music. Which is fitting because this is your boss theme, not Alduin's. It is a song talking about how you will slay Alduin, a song of defiance and of power.
“It’s your boss theme, not Alduin’s”
I never thought of it like that; that’s absolute fire!
@ianjames1754 If you read the translated lyrics it becomes even more overt. The lyrics outright recite the myth, the legend, the destiny of us, the Dragonborn. And that myth has one single ending. Alduin, the World Eater will remember his place and return it whether he wants to or not
Apparently, the voices singing the song are supposed to be all the souls lost in Alduin's soul snare mist. The song is the souls announcing that the Dragonborn, the hero, has finally come to free them from the darkness.
imagine being a timeless beast, destined to eat the world in its fullness, and you hear your victims singing about how not only are you about to die, its the same dude who chased you here in the first place. He retreated to an afterlife to recover, and somehow this nutter just runs in after him. Youre an endless monster, being chased by a fucking lunatic
Even though I've replayed Skyrim 100 times - and the Special Edition another 100 times, I still get the chills when hear this song.
Also because I'm Scandinavian, and the Nord culture is heavily inspired by the ancient Vikings that were my ancestors.
your ancestors were scandinavians not “vikings”. dont be an american
The first time I got to sovngarde, I sat at the entrance and listened to this for an hr
I'm wondering why aren't people going back to their ancestor's culture which was buried. I mean you must have something going on in your head right ?
@@theaj2564 I'm am norse pagan
@@childofodin Omg I'm so happy to see one. Do you still have Nordic Temples around ?
Lyrics translated from Dragon to English that I yoinked from google:
Dragonborn, Dragonborn
by his honor is sworn
To keep evil forever at bay!
And the fiercest foes rout
when they hear triumph's shout
Dragonborn, for your blessing we pray!
Hearken now, sons of snow, to an age, long ago
And the tale, boldly told, of the one!
Who was kin to both wyrm
and the races of man
with a power to rival the sun!
And the voice, he did weild, on that glorious field
When great Tamriel shuddered with war!
Mighty Thu'um, like a blade, cut through enemies all
As the Dragonborn issued his roar!
And the Scrolls have foretold, of black wings in the cold
That when brothers wage war come unfurled!
Alduin, Bane of Kings, ancient shadow unbound
With a hunger to swallow the world!
But a day, shall arise, when the dark dragon's lies
Will be silenced forever and then!
Fair Skyrim will be free from foul Alduin's maw
Dragonborn be the savior of men!
Dragonborn, Dragonborn,
by his honor is sworn
To keep evil forever at bay!
And the fiercest foes rout
when they hear triumph's shout
Dragonborn, for your blessing we pray!
even translation fits the melody
@@kamirostorino9416It was originally written in English, and then the Dovahzul language seen in the game was created around the song to be able to fit the meter and rhyme scheme. I think this is the only time a fictional language (with phonology and grammar that isn't just English with different words) was created solely for a song.
It's a beautiful song any way you look at it.
I get chills while reading the English translation while listening to the song.
@@carissamace not just for a song it's used a lot in the game
The masculine urge to slay a draconic demon alongside ancient gods and warriors
Holly crap. I replayed this game like 20 times. But its been yeeaaaars. I was like what song is this? Within the literal first second I was like "OHHH THIS BANGER!" Man I love this song. You hear it in such a cool area of the game. SPOILERS!! Its in this ethereal afterlife for all nords who died honourably in battle. So fricking cool.
I replay Skyrim occasionally too, but I've only finished it thrice. Once for the base release, once for Dawnguard and once for Dragonborn. So it's been a LONG while for me too! And this brought up some good nostalgia.
I only remember this song since I had a house mod that had a special secret room that played this theme
In fact, lore-wise, it's the souls lost in the fog that are singing. They're your little brother, you're the big brother who's just about to graduate and Alduin is the school bully two grades below you.
They're taunting him, saying he's gonna get it now that you're here.
Well... Guess I have no choice. I hear this song, and I have to dust off my copy of Skyrim again.
if you replayed skyrim 20 times then you playd the game for 680h+ if you only played the main missions 😮
I choose to believe this song is diegetic meaning its being heard by everyone in Sovngarde itself. I just like the idea that as soon as you arrive, Alduin just starts hearing the sky singing that he's about to die
I’ve always preferred the idea that it is a song being actively sung. Sovngarde is entirely populated by the warriors of the Nordic race. Generation after generation of devout warriors steeped in the tradition and mythology of their people, dating back all the way to when these words were first written on Alduin’s Wall. Every single one of them would have grown up knowing the story told in the song. Imagine all of them, scores upon untold scores of proud warriors, chanting this song in unison in direct defiance of Alduin who has invaded their home. So many that the song can be heard in all corners of the realm, beckoning the Dragonborn forth towards their destiny
In other words, it's you're boss theme. Alduin gets that "why do I hear music" moment when the sky itself breaks out in song. And if it is that, you bet your ass the hall of heroes all join in, chanting along, knowing that the battle happening will decided everything
2:47 Bro became a Nord. An Atmorian, even.
As a fellow Elder Scrolls enjoyer, and ravenous Elder Scrolls lore fanatic, It's a pleasant sight to see Marco checking out some of the music from the series.
I love the epicness of this ost!
It's catchy. Powerful. Constantly driving forward with intensity.
A men's choir with basically no accompaniment apart from some drums.
Damn, that's such a cool piece.
And you only hear it in the endgame, which makes it a rare treat.
One thing I like about Sovngarde is looking at it from the view of the bridge guard. This songs plays as he watches you descend through the fog, ready to settle things once and for all. Alduins roars echoing from the sky. Your arrival here in game really makes you feel like the legend you play as.
"This makes me want to play Skyrim again." Mission accomplished.
This one is iconic, probably my favorite song from the soundtrack.
This is practically the final skyrim theme and it plays when you enter the gods realm. Whole universe looking at you as the main character, and you as a player heading towards the hall of heroes to destroy one of the biggest threats to a universe. OST is literally YOUR battle-cry before final battle
Also it was funny to see your reaction at 1:44
Skyrim's OST is often described as the most extensive and complete of Jeremy Soule's Elder Scrolls OSTs, but for me nothing comes close to the haunting Call of Magic, and the beautiful exotic simplicity of the Morrowind OST. You should give that a listen soon!
Also, I wonder how you'd appreciate the Gothic OST by Kai Rosenkranz. My late grandfather, who was very much into music, would often exalt it as an example of a very "baroque" style. I don't know about any of this musical analysis stuff, I just think it sounds great.
Oh god, it's a plus one for a Gothic music from me!
"IT WAS SIMON WHO STAPLED MY HEART, TO THE FLOOR!"
the fact they made up the Dovah language for the game and this choir sang in it is just awesome, i bet if JRR Tolkien was still alive he'd enjoy the work the Bethesda team put into the Elder Scrolls franchise
The main theme is far more popular but this is definitely my favourite track! The choral arrangement just feels more impactful and the modulation is just glorious! I'm just imagining singing this in a mens chorus in a ring with my friends trying to outdo each other.]
I love your reactions to this beautiful song! Every time that I do hear this amazing song gives me goosebumps! Plus , Skyrim and it's music are one of my top favorite video games and video game soundtracks! ❤
12 years later and i still break out into goosebumps everytime i hear this, absolute masterpiece.
Finally we are with Skyrim. I've played over 10.000 hours and it is definitely my favorite game of all time. Glad to see you are reacting to it! I'd suggest you react to the main theme of Skyrim as it is a different kind of version of this one (like in Elden Ring with main theme + final battle)
I just installed 400+ mods and restarted the game. It is truly gorgeous looking now but alas my 3060ti isn't up to the task. Payday tomorrow and a 7900xtx is going into the mix.
Love the solemn feel of this song. It sounds like a due for the dead, which makes sense as Sovngarde is the Nordic afterlife.
It IS a due for the dead, but also of the dead. This is every single soul in Sovngarde hailing the Dragonborn, foreshadowing the true Death of Alduin, the First Dragon, and the Devourer of worlds.
And the drums start kicking in, the very moment your character sets foot in that realm.
Imagine how Alduin must feel at that moment, when the souls he just ate now sings of His Death...
THIS!! This is EXACTLY why Skyrim has been so persistent in gaming culture! It's a man's game that can be played by all, but contains OLD and persistent themes that span thousands of years while being true today.
A womans game as far as I am concerned, I am 74 and I have played it since my son gave it me on cd for a birthday, he knows my tastes in games. That song gave me the shivers each time I step into Sovenguard.
It makes me happy to see you enjoying Skyrim's music so much!
Oh man, took you this long to get to this masterpiece?
It’s been a permanent fix on my playlists since the launch of Skyrim itself. Easily one of the best OSTs of all time.
All of Skyrim’s, that is.
The song plays in Sovngarde, as Alduin devours the souls of Nords who've fallen in battle.
It's a song for deliverance, pleading to destroy Alduin.
You can tell how experienced this guy really is and how much he’s feeling the music. Around the 3:15 mark when you’re actively predicting the way the song goes, I can see the gears working and the melodies coming together in your brain and it’s SO COOL I love it when people can do that. My old choir conductor from high school could do that and it always gave me chills seeing someone so proficient with music. Keep at it!!!!
Greatest game of all time in my opinion. The visuals, the scenery, the music, the atmosphere, and the story just blended together perfectly. This game made me feel things like no other game.
Once I entered Sovngard and heard this song play, I got chills all over my body. It made me realize that I was going to one of the biggest battles.
Yeah this is very different from what you expect. I'm pretty sure when I first heard this at the end of the game I was standing on the steps leading down into the valley where you hear it, just staring up at the "sky" and listening to the song for like 10min.
Sovngard in a thousand parallel universes could be related to Classical Music and Opera but i will always consider this a masterpiece that deserves a place up there
God, the chills I got hearing those harmonies. Every single time
This was so cool to see you listen too! Hope you will listen to more of Skyrim's beautiful OSTs in the future, and stay healthy.❤️
The whole setting of the place with this OST is amazing.
Such a great piece.
after those years im still melting when i hear skyrim ost's
I held onto this song in my skyrim dnd campaign. And busted it out when my players first fought Alduin. They were terrified.
The bass drum throughout the song gives me chills because it sounds like it symbolizes the Dragonborns steps being very powerful and earth-quaking as he nears Alduin for their final fight.
This is *YOUR* Boss music. That’s what makes this so Awesome.
Almost all of the music in Skyrim is magnificent and you never seem to Tire of it
When you first enter the afterlife of Skyrim, and start hearing that, its like what is going on and so beautiful with how the sky looks but you see this mist before you...Alduin must pay for all he has done. This is YOUR song. A thrum of power and might welling up inside you as you listen to these powerful drums and vocals to spur you to action. Alduin's might cannot measure up to what YOU stand for. Life and love for what the Great North has shown you, what it strives for, what it struggles to hold onto, and weeping for sons lost to the belly of unending hunger. But YOU will end Alduin's unending hunger once you face him. That's the emotion of this song. It spurs one to action, even after so long of playing it, it stills instills within me a sense of wonder, hope, and drive to move forward.
This is one of my favorite themes in gaming! It's amazing!
This song gives me serious chills! 🤗🎉 It really is the first time I’ve heard just the song lol! I love Skyrim ❤
this shit SLAPS no matter HOW many times ive heard it, god this game is such a golden piece of history
I love your analysis of music.
YEAH!! i mentioned skyrim music when you did that google form questionnaire a while back, so i am glad to see you listening!! such a beautiful soundtrack to a game that, uh.. has a lot of character. i love it though, it's my "comfort game" 😅❤
I love how he react and... moves with the Music... Skyrim's music is such a Masterpiece and I always love to play this game.
Man, this really brings me back. When i entered Sovngarde i could just stand there, listening to this masterpiece, completely in aw. I was so blown away.
Real Goosebump Material 😅
Instant goosebumps. Always
man this song always gives me chills
This one rly goes under your skin! Fcking love it!❤
This plays in the afterlife of heroic Nord warriors and it's So Good. You hear this, you know you've achieved something special and important.
This gives chills everytime
I was looking for this song but didn't know the title. Awesome song!!
I listened to the Skyrim soundtrack for years before finally buying thr game. There is music that somehow is nostalgic from the first moment you hear it, remembering with fondness a world you've never visted but it touches you deeply in your soul. Such is the talent of Jeremy Soule.
Loved the dial up bit at the end, while I'm not nostalgic over the crappy internet speeds we had back then, I am nostalgic about the sound :P
I guess it's worth mentioning that basically, the song Dragonborn, speaks of Alduins return and the coming of the Dragonborn. While Sovngarde basically just says "hey Alduins. He's here. Good luck."
YEEEEES A SKYRIM REACTION. honestly do alll of the songs man. they are all worthy of your time
Man, I adore this games OST so much... it's so damn well crafted.
Goosebumps every time
ahh i remember hearing this when you just enter sovngarde, with all the mist, the lost souls, the chills, i stayed still for minutes just to listen the ost, i love skyrim so much 😍
Even though I may not love Skyrim as my favourite RPG today, there is no denying that soundtrack of this game is good beyond belief. All the pieces are filled with so much atmosphere and heart that even by listening you can just enter a different world. Soule did an insane job here and it's an OST that just lives on itself, even without the game in the background which just shows how strong it is.
Yes, i love this song. I listen to it at least once every week. 💪
Another wonderful Skyrim piece is "Wind Guide You" which is an astonish piece, no vocals but a really emotional journey.
Every composed song in Skyrim is a masterpiece.
I will never not get chills. I love this music. I love Skyrim! Also lol yer you cant not do those gestures haha we started at the same time XD it's like mandatory.
Watching the faces he makes thinking: "Yup, I was the same".
Probably already been said before, but there are a ton of amazing covers to this song that I highly recommend.
Season Unending!! Best ending for the main questline of the game!!!! Quite a sight to see, getting to AASGARD and meeting with old battle friends!!!!!!
I think it’s amazing how the same song can spark different feelings. While, for you, it sounds driven and brave, for me it sounds sorrowful yet peaceful at the same time like the people of Skyrim singing their farewell to a hero who has passed and the warriors at Sovngarde sing to welcome a new soul to their hall
Now’s a great time to replay Skyrim, there’s at least another 5-10 years before the next installment of Elder Scrolls. The first time I heard this song was at 3:00 am when the game was new and I could stay up all night drinking mead as I went to slay Alduin in Sovengarde. Very dramatic effect playing in a dark room so late at night!
Still remember my first time hearing this and how powerful it made me feel as the protagonist! Like this is YOUR boss theme. This is what Alduin is hearing as he's been cornered with nowhere left to run!
When i got to sovengarde in skyrim it was so good, one of the the best games ever
Definitely my favourite piece from Skyrim. It sounds to primitive and like you said: very masculine. Definitely gives me chills.
The shouts are definitely super cool, off-beat if I'm correct in saying this? They're like parts where it kinda feels like total overwhelming. Like this certain rhythm is like giving you a very certain shape and sound and shouts feel like breaking out of bounds, but still musically as they are very melodic shouts.
Even though tenor is lead, I feel like bass gives it so much soul, supports the lead super well. I think 0:40 is a very good example with bass coming in with the canon to really emphasize that part of the song.
Also, the harmony at 2:24 at the word "lo" sounded so nice that the first time I heared it, I rolled it back quite a few times lol.
There definitely is something about only men singing. It kinda gives this weird brotherhood feeling.
Listening to this while Vaping makes it 1000% Better !!!
Its so good!!!❤❤❤
What I love about this is that if you look up when your in sovengarde and after you beat alduin the sky is so pretty, hell I have a save point there so I can come back whenever to listen to it.
I have always enjoyed skyrims vocal tracks and wish I could learn them in a choir!
This is how entering Valhalla must feel
When angles saxons norse etc die in battle and see woden/odin be like
This song *still* gives me the shivers.
It did 13 years ago, and still does it today with my 987465126th playthrough
I have such a deep love for this game. The music is absolutely PHENOMENAL. It really adds to the Dragonborn “you’re gonna kill Alduin” theme and I’m here for it.
best soundtrack in the entire game
got fcking goosebumbs once again
As the name implies, this plays when you enter Sovngarde, essentially Elder Scrolls Valhalla. You come here chasing the evil Dragon, Alduin, who has come here to feast on the souls of the dead to empower himself. To fight him, you team up with other heroes of legend who had fought him before. Standing side by side with them, you cement yourself as not only their equal, but their better in that you defeat Alduin where they failed before. Becoming a living legend in defeating this nearly godlike foe.
My theory is Ebony Warrior is you from past timeline, because he want to go to Sovngarde.
@@aleksandarjankovic39wouldn’t really make sense as the ebony warrior is a redguard and only such, your theory only works is if you’re playing as a redguard
Still one of my absolute favorite pieces from skyrim, along with watch the sky. It really felt like I was stepping into some kind of glorious realm of comradery and mighty deeds.
I would always full volume blast this at 3 am at my house and my parents think im doing some cult shit 💀
I love everything Skyrim.
The funny thing about Soverngard vs The Dragonborn song is that the song isn't just one Nord singing it's literally the Entire Great Hall of Soverngard Singing to hail the true First and Original Dragon God Shor also known as Lorkhan whose Heart's blood bound tight the Liminal Bridges between Nirn and Oblivion.
Ok but all the animations this guy has in listening to it is exactly what I’m doing in my head every time I hear Sovngarde play like you can feel the POWER in it and I just love it so much
“I never got far enough in Skyrim to hear it”
As someone with (probably) 4,000+ hours into various runs of Skyrim, this is relatable asf