What is the central message of “Remember Them”?

The song is a tribute to fallen comrades, transforming grief into action. It’s about honoring memory through restraint, resilience, and ethical leadership.

How does the song differ from Homer’s original *Odyssey*?

In Homer’s tale, Odysseus blinds Polyphemus and escapes without deep introspection. Here, Jorge Rivera-Herrans adds emotional and philosophical layers — remorse, mercy, legacy — not present in the original.

What role does Athena play in the song?

She acts as both muse and moral test — pushing for violence, she becomes the voice of wrath that Odysseus ultimately defies, showcasing growth beyond divine expectation.

Why is the chorus repeated so often?

Repetition mirrors ritual — a verbal headstone. It drums remembrance into the minds of both characters and listeners, ensuring the dead are never forgotten.

Is “Remember Them” a war song or an anti-war song?

It’s both. Musically and narratively, it straddles glory and lament. It celebrates courage but critiques vengeance, making it a modern meditation on ancient war.

Remember Them Lyrics – Epic: The Musical

Remember Them Lyrics

[EURYLOCHUS]
Captain!
Captain!
Captain!

[ODYSSEUS]
We must move quickly, we don't have much time
He didn't notice I mixed lotus in his wine
Mark my words now, this is not the end

[EURYLOCHUS]
But captain, what'll we do with our fallen friends?

[ODYSSEUS, ODYSSEUS & SOLDIERS]
Remember them
When the fire begins to fade
For the fallen and afraid
We are not to let them die in vain
Remember them
We're the ones who carry on
The flames of those who've gone
And our comrades will not die in vain

[ODYSSEUS]
I need all our hands on his club
This is how we're getting out of here
Use your swords to sharpen the stub
And turn it to a giant spear

[SOLDIERS]
Let's kill him!

[ODYSSEUS]
His body is blocking the path
If we kill him we'll be stuck inside

[EURYLOCHUS]
Captain, where do we attack him?

[ODYSSEUS]
We gotta stab him in the eye

[SOLDIERS]
Yes sir
Remember them
When the fire begins to fade
For the fallen and afraid
We are not to let them die in vain

[ODYSSEUS, SOLDIERS]
Remember them
We're the ones who carry on
The flames of those who've gone
And our comrades will not die in vain
[ODYSSEUS]
Now!
Scatter!

[CYCLOPES]
Who hurts you?

[EURYLOCHUS, spoken]
There are more of them?

[CYCLOPES]
Who hurts you?

[ODYSSEUS, spoken]
Hide

[CYCLOPES]
Who hurts you?

[EURYLOCHUS]
Captain, we should run

[ODYSSEUS]
Wait

[CYCLOPES]
Who hurts you?
[EURYLOCHUS]
Captain, please

[ODYSSEUS]
Wait

[POLYPHEMUS]
It was Nobody, Nobody

[CYCLOPES]
If nobody hurts you, be silent

[POLYPHEMUS]
Don’t go!

[ODYSSEUS]
Let's grab the sheep and away we go

[ATHENA]
Have you forgotten the lessons I taught you?
He's still a threat until he's dead
Finish it

[ODYSSEUS]
No

[ATHENA]
No?

[ODYSSEUS]
What good would killing do
When mercy is a skill more of this world could learn to use
My friend is dead, our foe is blind
The blood we shed, it never dries
Is this what it means to be a warrior of the mind?

[ATHENA]
Don't!

[ODYSSEUS]
Hey, Cyclops!
When we met, I led with peace
While you fed your inner beast
But my comrades will not die in vain

Remember them
The next time that you dare choose not to spare
Remember them
Remember us
Remember me

I'm the reigning king of Ithaca
I am neither man nor mythical
I am your darkest moment
I am the infamous
Odysseus
Last Update: June, 02nd 2025

Song Overview

Screenshot from Remember Them lyrics video by Jorge Rivera-Herrans, Armando Julián & Teagan Earley — Jorge Rivera-Herrans, Armando Julián, and Teagan Earley are singing the 'Remember Them' lyrics in the music video.

Song Credits

Featured: Armando Julián, Teagan Earley
Producer: Jorge Rivera-Herrans
Composer: Jorge Rivera-Herrans
Release Date: July 4, 2024
Genre: Pop, Orchestral, Musical Theatre
Instruments: Strings, Percussion, Choral Ensemble, Synth Pads
Album: EPIC: The Musical
Label: Winion Entertainment LLC
Language: English
Mood: Heroic, Tragic, Reflective
Length: Approx. 4 minutes
Track Number: 8
Copyrights © 2024 Winion Entertainment LLC

Song Meaning and Annotations

Jorge Rivera-Herrans performing song Remember Them — Performance in the music video.

Epic Requiem for the Fallen

At the heart of "Remember Them" lies a battle hymn stitched with grief and grit — a torch song from the bowels of myth. Jorge Rivera-Herrans, Armando Julián, and Teagan Earley revive Homeric tradition in a symphonic explosion of tragedy, cunning, and moral reckoning. Inspired by *The Odyssey*, the piece transports us into Odysseus' psyche during the iconic Cyclops cave escape, yet amplifies his inner torment far beyond Homer’s terse lines.

“Remember them / When the fire begins to fade / For the fallen and afraid / We are not to let them die in vain”

Verse 1 — Strategy Amid Suffering

The opening is a sprint — urgency fuels the rhythm as Odysseus directs his men while haunted by recent deaths. He drugs Polyphemus, not with brute strength but trickery — lotus wine — a poetic nod to the emotional numbness his crew must combat.

Chorus — Anthem of Memory

The chorus becomes the battle cry of the bereaved. Unlike typical war songs, this refrain isn’t a call to conquer — it's a pledge to carry the dead. A eulogy sung mid-charge.

Bridge — Mercy in the Mind

Later, the tone pivots sharply. Athena urges vengeance — but Odysseus resists. In a stunning ethical turn:

“What good would killing do / When mercy is a skill more of this world could learn to use?”

That line alone could be carved on modern monuments. In this moment, "Remember Them" transforms from action-drama into moral opera. Odysseus embodies not wrath, but restraint — a warrior of the mind indeed.

Finale — Identity and Immortality

As the cyclops cries out and his kin interrogate the cave, Odysseus seizes narrative power:

“I am your darkest moment / I am the infamous Odysseus”

He asserts mythic status not through destruction but survival. It's theatrical and haunting — a final echo of honor amidst horror.

Similar Songs

Thumbnail from Remember Them lyric video by Jorge Rivera-Herrans — A screenshot from the 'Remember Them' music video.

"The Plagues" – Hans Zimmer & Stephen Schwartz (from *The Prince of Egypt*)
Like “Remember Them,” this track grapples with divine punishment and human cost. Both songs pit personal duty against moral grief, underscored by choral explosions and dark strings. Zimmer and Schwartz’s biblical epic mirrors Jorge Rivera-Herrans’ mythic tone — both question what it means to wield power and memory.
"Non-Stop" – Lin-Manuel Miranda (from *Hamilton*)
Odysseus’ drive and Hamilton’s obsession align. Both songs spiral through leadership, sacrifice, and legacies. “Remember Them” parallels the multi-voice layering and shifting narrative gears seen in “Non-Stop,” threading memory and ambition like twin threads in a war-torn tapestry.
"Wait for It" – Leslie Odom Jr. (from *Hamilton*)
Where “Remember Them” exalts restraint through Odysseus, “Wait for It” does the same via Burr. The thematic overlap — mercy, timing, honor — is uncanny. Both protagonists observe violence yet resist impulse, revealing internal strength as the highest form of power.

Questions and Answers

Scene from Remember Them track by Jorge Rivera-Herrans — Visual effects scene from 'Remember Them'.

What is the central message of “Remember Them”?: The song is a tribute to fallen comrades, transforming grief into action. It’s about honoring memory through restraint, resilience, and ethical leadership.
How does the song differ from Homer’s original *Odyssey*?: In Homer’s tale, Odysseus blinds Polyphemus and escapes without deep introspection. Here, Jorge Rivera-Herrans adds emotional and philosophical layers — remorse, mercy, legacy — not present in the original.
What role does Athena play in the song?: She acts as both muse and moral test — pushing for violence, she becomes the voice of wrath that Odysseus ultimately defies, showcasing growth beyond divine expectation.
Why is the chorus repeated so often?: Repetition mirrors ritual — a verbal headstone. It drums remembrance into the minds of both characters and listeners, ensuring the dead are never forgotten.
Is “Remember Them” a war song or an anti-war song?: It’s both. Musically and narratively, it straddles glory and lament. It celebrates courage but critiques vengeance, making it a modern meditation on ancient war.

Fan and Media Reactions

"This made me sob — I’ve never felt this close to a Greek myth before." – @Mythos_Melody

"Odysseus saying 'mercy is a skill' hit harder than any sword swing." – @EpicOdysseys

"Teagan’s vocals give me chills every time the chorus hits. Eternal goosebumps." – @StageQueenTeag

"The shift from bloodlust to restraint? Masterful. Jorge is redefining musical theatre." – @ModernMuseReview

"I want this played at my funeral, wedding, and any significant life event." – @DramaticDionysus

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