The Pixels

Elemental Video Game Critiques

“I Was Born For This” lyrics (Journey)

3 min read
Discovering the lyrics has only increased my respect for Journey.

 

Adding to an already unique game is Journey’s final track which plays over the credits sequence. “I Was Born For This” lyrics are set to a beautiful melody with its falsetto crescendo and graceful strings, but those lyrics themselves aren’t easily understood. That’s because each line is in a different language. That’s why it sounds like Latin and Greek and Old English and French and Japanese. Because it is.

The fact that its quoting the great poets of the past further deepens its mystique rather than explaining what happens in Journey. The presence of Beowulf and the Aeneid and the Illiad all give this sense of history and culture, ancient tales of journeys and lives lived that make this Journey an archetype which has resounded down through time. This game, without dialogue, literally reaches across all languages and generations, something humanity has always shared. Discovering the lyrics has only increased my respect for Journey.

Below are the lyrics and their translations, followed by another video with a live performance of the piece.

Stat Sua cuique dies
(To each his day is given)
Stat Sua cuique dies
(To each his day is given)
– Latin, The Aeneid

Maél is mé tó féran
(‘Tis time that I fare from you)
– Old English, Beowulf

Aleto men moi nostos
(Lost is my homecoming)
Aleto men moi nostos
(Lost is my homecoming)
– Greek, The Illiad

C’est pour cela que je suis née
(I was born for this)
– French, Joan of Arc

Kono michi ya (On this road)
Yuki hito nishi ni (Goes no one)
Kono michi ya (On this road)
Aki no kure (Autumn sunset)
– Japanese, Matsuo Basho

C’est pour cela que je suis née
(I was born for this)
Ne me plaignez pas
(Do not pity me)
C’est pour cela que je suis née
(I was born for this)
– French, Joan of Arc

 


 

Well-Red-Mage-Black-smRed has undertaken a seemingly endless crusade to re-define what games writing is, lead a team of like-hearted individuals, debate objectivity, and just generally be contentious. All while hopefully being civil, though what can we aspire to if not our better natures? Despite lending his name to this site, he believes beliefs are primary, such as unity without unanimity and diversity of thought. That’s the only way to publish articles you occasionally disagree with. Pick out his feathered cap on Twitter @thewellredmage, on Facebook, on Pinterest, and on Instagram, or podcasting on Buzzsprout.

 

Did you enjoy this post? Consider becoming a Warrior of Light and join us in promoting honesty and quality to games writing through thoughtful, long-form critiques. We’re building a future for games writers to get paid and find a fairer and happier alternative to mainstream coverage and culture. See our Patreon page for more info!

becomeapatron2

 

18 thoughts on ““I Was Born For This” lyrics (Journey)

  1. I have to finally give thanks for this page. I bring it up every time I complete a journey, just to soak in the beauty of this song, and of this game.

  2. God is a system of phenomena. Elementary particle, Quantum physics allows you to explain, Ring transformation, Near-death experiences can be explained and proved.

  3. Even though religion is different, all the people of the planet and all the living beings are experiencing rehabilitation. There are many people who have memories of the previous life when they are children. Start training in this world, you can decide the choice of the afterlife by yourself. When you get lost it will be automatically determined by God.

  4. Larvae (children, people) repeated molting, pupaes emerge, become butterflies (adults, gods), guide larvae (children, people) again, guide the truth, let it butterflies.

  5. Those who complete the ring regeneration go to the world of God, but if people on the earth get lost and call for help, work towards relief is waiting.

  6. The lyrics go to the west direction. Disengagement, Satori, Nirvana, training, complete and goes to the world of God. And reborn is over.

  7. There is a big mistake in the lyrics (original text, translated) of【 I was born for this】 of the game【 JOURNEY】 theme song. Nashi ni is wrong. Nishi ni is the correct answer. Please correct it. Japanese, Matuo Basho ‘s haiku 【Kono michi Ya, Yuku hito Nishi ni, Kono michi ya, Aki no kure.】 【This road, the person going to the west, this road, the fall of autumn. Head towards the west. Saihou Joudo of Buddhism, Pure Land in the west direction, Gokuraku Joudo. Represents paradise. Pilgrimage, reincarnation, RINNE TENSEI (reincarnated many times, training completed and completed, Nirvana) is the biggest theme of this work.

  8. My soul is torn asunder, my mind riven with doubt, this song is truly beautiful, with much emotional clout! *Applauds* Truly, as guy above said, thank you very much for this! I will add it to my ‘Journey’ memories. (play through I watched ended jus after vanish into the mountain light!) *Bows Politely*

  9. thanks for the lyrics man. I was surprised its composed of different language. this is a very good song.

  10. Pingback: Journey (2012) |

Leave a kind and thoughtful comment like a civil human being

Copyright © All rights reserved.