The official lyrics for God of War's main theme have been revealed, and they are as depressing as many would expect. The modern iteration of the God of War franchise brought with it music that could not be more iconic and memorable to gamers.
Sony and its Santa Monica Studio were so confident in Bear McCreary's score that a several-minute orchestral performance of it proceeded God of War's reveal at E3 2016. It earned a Best Score/Music nomination at The Game Awards 2018 but was beaten out by Red Dead Redemption 2. Five years would pass before God of War Ragnarok's release, a successful sequel that seemed poised to spoil an otherwise guaranteed award season sweep for Elden Ring. Although Game of the Year went to FromSoftware's magnum opus, Bear McCreary picked up what many considered to be an overdue win for God of War Ragnarok, which took what had become so iconic and improved upon it.
Now, nearly a decade after they were first written, the original English lyrics to Kratos' theme have been revealed. A blog post from Bear McCreary titled "The Lyrics to God of War" sees the composer sit down with members of Santa Monica Studio, including God of War Ragnarok Director Eric Williams and Narrative Director Matt Sophos. McCreary opens with a brief overview of the score, and notes that the decision to use Old Norse within it was made "as far back as 2015."
Original English lyrics to the God of War theme:
Exiled god. Father's shame. Mother's hope. Child in pain.
Exiled god. Father's shame. Mother's hope. Child in pain. Son of war.
Truth denied. Wounds remain.
Heal his rage.
Exiled god. Storm of hate. Growing fear. Wounds remain. Confront the past.
Divine plague. My sins laid bare.
Trust the boy. Heal his rage.
Curse of blood. Beyond repair.
Trust the boy. Heal his rage.
He will leave. I've no redemption.
Exiled god. Father's shame. Mother's hope. Child in pain.
Exiled god. Storm of hate. Trust the boy. Heal his rage.
Growing fear. Wounds remain.
He's in pain. He needs a father not a god. Curse of blood. I've no redemption.
Wounds remain. Confront the past.
However, this decision introduced a variety of logistical difficulties - particularly given that Old Norse is effectively a dead language, insofar as day-to-day use. Fortunately, the modern Icelandic language shares so many similarities that vocalists fluent in the language "could both read and understand the text."
The developers were intent that the lyrics should mean something, rather than be a nonsensical vocal accompaniment. Sophos described the main theme as perfect for Kratos, explaining how they were "Spartan" with his lyrics, mirroring how curt and blunt the retired God of War is throughout the first half of the Norse chapter. The English lyrics certainly achieve that, succinctly capturing the heart of the conflict between Kratos and his son, before Atreus is made aware of his Godhood.
God of War Ragnarok is available for PS4 and PS5.
Source: Bear McCreary
