Warhammer 40K: First Ever Official Imperial Hymn
This is kind of a big deal for the fans of the lore in Warhammer 40,000. It’s the first even Imperial Hymn sung in actual High Gothic!
I guess Games Workshop is getting into the Holiday Spirit. Or maybe this is just “mandatory spirit” from the Imperial Ecclesiarchy. Whatever the case, this is actually really good. But check it out for yourself first.
“So with that cheery thought in mind, our Christmas gift to all of you in the Warhammer Community is this first-of-its-kind music video – featuring an authentic Imperial hymn. This is also a rare opportunity to hear real Imperial High Gothic spoken (or rather sung) aloud:”
First Ever Recorded Imperial Hymn For Warhammer 40,000
The combination of the visuals and the song are both somber and inspiring. I got chills with that last drum hit for sure. While I don’t speak High Gothic, Games Workshop did release the lyrics along with the video so you can follow along.
I’m pretty rusty on my Latin. And I’m even rustier on my pseudo-Latin. In any case, here are the words written out in High Gothic for everyone to read.
Druvata Imperator dux noster;
in eman sua firmissimus.
Sacrificium eius illuminare fecit;
Druvata nostrae puritas
Nos kandu electa eius
Egredere facem mahsemo.
Renuntiatio eius helel;
Per tenebras et pólemos.
Nam qui eius ma’or.
Azar mundans iacet.
Hostes Imperium,
Da veniam irae.
Ora Imperator, praebe nobis tuam fortitudinem
Ut simus tui justi khang.
Omnis ut efches,
Nullus furor sanctum eius effugiat.
Never A Silent Night
Whatever they are singing, it sounds impressive. Again, this is the first time we’ve ever gotten this much coherent High Gothic in one chunk. And sung by a choir no less! It’s an impressive feat. I think it’s worth noting who worked on this one. The Warhammer Studio worked on the lyrics and created the High Gothic language. So props to them for that undertaking. Once the lyrics were done, it was time to write the score…
“With the hymn written, we turned to a veteran composer of Warhammer music, Jonathan Hartman, to fashion a suitably grand and evocative accompaniment. Jonathan composes most of the music for Warhammer+ shows – he’s a verifiable Warhammer super fan, and Emmy-nominated composer to boot. “
Following that, it was time to record the music. Their team traveled to Sofia in Bulgaria and worked with choir director George Elekov and a “hand-picked choir.” Once the hymn was done the Warhammer Animations team got together to create the visuals.
“Rather than using more realistic animation and styles, as you might have seen in our animations on Warhammer+ (such as Iron Within), the team leaned really hard into the art that inspired this whole endeavour. The animation style is intended to make the whole piece look as though it has been painted with oil paints to tell a story of piety, adoration, defiance, and, as the hymn reaches its crescendo, martyrdom.”
I’m not quite sure if I call this one festive or not. But it is somber and moving nonetheless. This does feel like it’s bringing a chunk of the grimdark of 40k to our ears at least. And it’s a well done project overall. So thanks for the gift of music!
Anyone else feel like they were in an Imperial cathedrum for two minutes?
