World of Warcraft’s Russel Brower explains “Lament of the Highborne”

If you traverse all the way into the chambers of Queen Sylvanas Windrunner and listen to her story, you would have been introduced to a melodramatic rendering of a song for the Blood Elves. That song is called the “Lament of the Highborne,” which people concluded “Highborne” referred to the High Elves – or Blood Elves as they were most known for.

We all know the history of the High Elves’ addiction to power and magic, and why it severed the relations of the entire Elven race. But according to lead composer and audio director Russel Brower, the song isn’t as it seems.

Many people have been quick to determine that the song is dedicated to the Blood Elves, but in an interview with Music 4 Games, he revealed that it really isn’t so.

He corrects the issue of “Highborne,” which really means that the song dates back over 10 millennia ago, at about the same time the Blood Elves were actually still the Night Elves. “It was a lament to fallen Night Elves, and a tribute to those whose bravery remained steadfast against overwhelming odds,” he corrected.

Apparently, the song itself hasn’t changed at all in melody, but the words were changed some 3 millennia ago (2,800 years) to reflect just how many lives were lost in that epic struggle against the Trolls. Soon enough, at the coming of Arthas and his Undead lackeys during the Third War, the song was used again to illustrate the defense of Quel’Thalas and its unfortunate demise.

So you’re probably asking yourselves, “Why is she singing that old tune again?” Well, it’s simple: she’s singing to the Blood Elves as an apology for her failure to defend them. Her failure to defend Quel’Thelas and her people caused her guilt and pain, far more suffering than she probably received in the hands of Arthas.

In an effort for repentance or redemption, she also makes known her efforts to help the Blood Elves, even as a dark Queen of the Undead.

So, bluntly put, the song isn’t for the Blood Elves, it’s for all of the Elves originally. When faced with insurmountable odds, the song is then dedicated to all those who remain steadfast and stand their ground. At least now we’re all a bit smarter about it now.

Via Music 4 Games

If you traverse all the way into the chambers of Queen Sylvanas Windrunner and listen to her story, you would have been introduced to a melodramatic rendering of a song for the Blood Elves. That song is called the “Lament of the Highborne,” which people concluded “Highborne” referred to the High Elves – or Blood Elves as they were most known for.

We all know the history of the High Elves’ addiction to power and magic, and why it severed the relations of the entire Elven race. But according to lead composer and audio director Russel Brower, the song isn’t as it seems.

Many people have been quick to determine that the song is dedicated to the Blood Elves, but in an interview with Music 4 Games, he revealed that it really isn’t so.

He corrects the issue of “Highborne,” which really means that the song dates back over 10 millennia ago, at about the same time the Blood Elves were actually still the Night Elves. “It was a lament to fallen Night Elves, and a tribute to those whose bravery remained steadfast against overwhelming odds,” he corrected.

Apparently, the song itself hasn’t changed at all in melody, but the words were changed some 3 millennia ago (2,800 years) to reflect just how many lives were lost in that epic struggle against the Trolls. Soon enough, at the coming of Arthas and his Undead lackeys during the Third War, the song was used again to illustrate the defense of Quel’Thalas and its unfortunate demise.

So you’re probably asking yourselves, “Why is she singing that old tune again?” Well, it’s simple: she’s singing to the Blood Elves as an apology for her failure to defend them. Her failure to defend Quel’Thelas and her people caused her guilt and pain, far more suffering than she probably received in the hands of Arthas.

In an effort for repentance or redemption, she also makes known her efforts to help the Blood Elves, even as a dark Queen of the Undead.

So, bluntly put, the song isn’t for the Blood Elves, it’s for all of the Elves originally. When faced with insurmountable odds, the song is then dedicated to all those who remain steadfast and stand their ground. At least now we’re all a bit smarter about it now.

Via Music 4 Games