Scylla Lyrics – Epic: The Musical
Scylla Lyrics
Deep down, we're lonely demons from hell
[ODYSSEUS]
Row for your lives!
[SCYLLA]
Drown in your sorrow and fears
Choke on your blood and your tears
Bleed til you've run out of years
We must do what it takes to survive
Give up your honor and faith
Live up your life as a wraith
Die in the blood where you bathe
We must do it takes to survive

Song Overview
Scylla is the twenty-third track on EPIC: The Musical — The Thunder Saga, written and produced by Jorge Rivera-Herrans. Clocking in at 2 minutes 54 seconds, the piece fuses brooding orchestral pop with cinematic theatre stylings, mapping Odysseus’ most fatal detour in Homer’s Odyssey. Released July 4 2024, the single quickly became a fan favourite, earning more than forty-six million Spotify streams and sparking thousands of TikTok vocal duets.
- Time signature mirrors Scylla’s six heads: 3/4 phrasing felt in two.
- Pulse sits at a restless 156 BPM, giving the string ostinato a predator’s heartbeat.
- The track introduced EPIC’s darkest vocal layering to date, inspiring cover artist Annapantsu and countless fan remixes.

Song Meaning and Annotations
I still remember the first time that fiddle line skittered through my headphones — a nervous tremor that felt like lantern-light on black water. Scylla doesn’t waste seconds on pleasantries; the lyrics hurl us straight into Odysseus’ moral riptide. Eurylochus confesses, torches flare, six shadows loom, and the chorus whispers the mantra “Deep down” as though dredging secrets from the keel. In under three minutes the song recasts heroism as calculated sacrifice, asking whether survival ever comes without blood tax.
Musically, Rivera-Herrans braids Broadway belt with rock-opera grit. Listen to how KJ Burkhauser’s snarling drum kit locks against a choir that swells like rip-current foam, then collapses into single-note cello lines — a sonic image of sailors yanked from deck to deep. Folk-tinged guitars briefly surface during Eurylochus’ apology, only to drown beneath Scylla’s guttural “Hello.” That single word lands like a Kraken’s tail, a production trick that layers distorted lower harmonics to evoke six throats speaking at once.
Context matters. In Homer, Scylla and Charybdis guard a narrow strait; choose one monster or the whirlpool. EPIC doubles down: Odysseus knowingly offers six lives, lighting torches like sacrificial candles. The tragic irony? He’s become the very beast he fears. The final cadence underscores that point, with Odysseus’ vocal riding Scylla’s melody in uneasy harmony — man and monster momentarily indistinguishable.

Verse Highlights
Verse 1
Opening pizzicato strings echo sonar pings while Odysseus mutters, “The lair of Scylla … this is our only way home.” His restraint hints at buried strategy; we sense dread smoldering under command.
Chorus
“Deep down, we only care for ourselves.”
Scylla’s indictment feels like a cracked mirror: the crew glimpses their own monstrous potential. That two-note descending motif — cello sliding C? down to B — mirrors the moral descent.
Bridge
“Drown in your sorrow and fears, choke on your blood and your tears.”
The rhyme of fears / tears is almost nursery-simple, making the threat all the more chilling. Rivera-Herrans double-tracks a whispered octave above the main vocal, giving the line a ghostly shimmer.
Final Refrain
Odysseus joins Scylla on the lyric “We are the same, you and I.” Their minor-third harmony quotes EPIC’s “Danger Is Nearby” leitmotif, signaling the moment the hero becomes the hazard.
Annotations
The lair of Scylla This is our only way homeThis echoes a moment from *Suffering* when the siren warns Odysseus that passing through Scylla’s lair is the only route back. Odysseus repeats this here, emphasizing the grave risk involved in choosing this path.
Scylla herself is a terrifying figure rooted in myth. In some traditions, she’s one of the monstrous children of Typhon — a fearsome force that even challenged Zeus. But in Homer’s *Odyssey*, she’s originally a woman cursed by Circe’s magic, transformed into the sea demon we fear today. This backstory is expanded in Madeline Miller’s novel, highlighting Circe’s jealousy as the catalyst for Scylla’s monstrous fate.
In *EPIC: The Musical*, Scylla is visually portrayed as a beautiful yet monstrous woman encased in scales, with six serpentine heads—mirroring her mythological form. Her bioluminescent veins glow eerily in her underwater lair, hinting at the deadly trap awaiting any sailor foolish enough to approach. Odysseus is gambling with death by steering his ship here, since Scylla’s savage nature makes her more feared even than Poseidon’s wrath.
- Interestingly, some myths say Scylla might be Poseidon’s child, linking her to the god’s vendetta against Odysseus.
- Her siblings in various myths include other famous monsters like Cerberus, the Hydra, and Charybdis.
This is our only way homeThe song’s tension builds on the fact that Poseidon himself avoids Scylla’s domain. Odysseus chooses this route because it’s the only way to escape Poseidon’s reach. Although there is another path through treacherous rocks, only Jason’s Argo survived it—thanks to Hera’s protection—making it inaccessible for Odysseus.
Deep down, you hide a reason for shameScylla taunts Eurylochus here, suggesting they are both monsters, each hiding dark secrets. Eurylochus’s betrayal—opening the wind bag—led them straight into danger, which is why they’ve been delayed and why so many men have died. Scylla’s words cut deep, hinting at guilt and shared monstrousness.
This line might also be aimed at Odysseus, who carries the heavy burden of sacrificing six men without telling them. It highlights the moral ambiguity between victim and monster, survival and betrayal.
I’ve got a secret I can no longer keepThis references Eurylochus’s earlier struggle to confess his betrayal, first hinted at in *Puppeteer*. His silence until now suggests Odysseus deliberately ignored or suppressed the truth to keep his plan intact.
You know that we are the sameScylla’s claim that she and either Odysseus or Eurylochus are alike is loaded with meaning. All three are seen as monsters—literal or metaphorical. Scylla kills mercilessly, Odysseus sacrifices his men for survival, and Eurylochus’s actions led to catastrophic loss. Whether she addresses Odysseus, Eurylochus, or both, the accusation is clear: survival has forced them all to become monsters in their own right.
I opened the wind bag while you were asleepEurylochus finally admits the critical moment when he betrayed Odysseus by opening Aeolus’s wind bag. This single act doomed the crew to drift into the land of giants, setting Poseidon’s wrath into motion.
Leaving them feeling betrayed, breaking the bonds that you’ve madeEurylochus’s actions shattered trust, not only with Odysseus but with the entire crew. His betrayal justifies Odysseus’s harsh response and willingness to sacrifice men to ensure survival.
I’m so sorryMusically, this plea mirrors a motif from *No Longer You*, where the prophecy of Odysseus’s doomed return is laid bare. It’s a subtle, haunting echo of impending loss and regret.
There is no price we won’t payThis lyric, originally from *Mutiny*, underscores Odysseus’s willingness to sacrifice anything—even his crew—to get home. It ties back to earlier foreshadowing of the sacrifices he’s prepared to make.
Forgive meEurylochus begs for forgiveness but Odysseus remains silent—he knows what happened. The command to light six torches signals the fate awaiting those men, showing that forgiveness must be earned through payment, even if that payment is death. This line also parallels *Just A Man*, reinforcing themes of remorse and reckoning.
We both know what it takes to surviveHere Scylla confronts Odysseus directly, playing on his hardened resolve. He’s no longer the man who balks at sacrifice—he understands that survival demands ruthless choices, even if it means coldly condemning his own men.
Full speed ahead, full speed aheadThis mirrors the song *Full Speed Ahead*, contrasting the earlier hopeful Odysseus with the one now hardened by loss. A brief pause between these words almost feels like a moment of frozen dread—perhaps when the crew spots one of Scylla’s heads lurking just beneath the water.
Deep down, we only care for ourselvesScylla’s cynical admission contrasts with Odysseus’s *Ruthlessness is mercy* philosophy. For monsters like them, survival is self-centered and harsh. What seemed like ruthless mercy to the crew is now revealed as self-preservation, highlighting the blurred lines between heroism and monstrosity.
Eurylochus, light up six torchesIn Homer’s *Odyssey*, Scylla snatches six men off the ship. Here, Odysseus commands six men to hold torches—symbolizing their impending sacrifice as a peace offering to the monster.
We’re lonely demons from hellThis line recalls Odysseus’s own self-identification as a monster forged in hell, showing how the crew’s ordeal has transformed them all.
Musically, the 6/8 time signature echoes Scylla’s six heads, with drumbeats and violins underscoring the deadly rhythm of the impending deaths.
HelloScylla’s single-word greeting is chilling. Her voice is distorted and eldritch—calm but utterly terrifying. She knows these men stand no chance, and there’s no need for posturing.
Row for your lives!Odysseus’s sudden shout breaks the silence after the ominous instrumental break symbolizing the six doomed men. Despite the danger, Odysseus himself is untouched, underscoring his role as a calculating leader rather than a victim.
Drown in your sorrow and fears, choke on your blood and your tearsThe tone darkens here as Scylla’s voice shifts from delicate to monstrous. She taunts the doomed men with a merciless call to surrender honor and faith for survival. Her words foreshadow the mental and emotional toll these sacrifices will inflict on Odysseus.
Give up your honor and faith, live up your life as a wraith, die in the blood where you batheScylla is telling Odysseus to abandon everything that once defined him—a soldier’s honor, faith, and humanity. Living as a wraith symbolizes a tortured existence trapped between life and death, unable to find peace after the horrors committed. The reference to dying “in the blood where you bathe” recalls her own cursed origin and symbolizes Odysseus’s hellish journey wrought by his choices.
Ultimately, Scylla warns that survival demands a sacrifice of the soul itself, leaving Odysseus haunted by guilt and loss even if he returns home.
We are the same, you and I, IThe closing harmony between Scylla and Odysseus is powerful. It suggests that, despite their different forms, they are bound by a shared destiny—both forced to destroy whatever stands in their way to survive. This painful kinship blurs the line between monster and man, highlighting the tragic costs of Odysseus’s journey.
In Greek myths, Scylla was once a woman cursed to become a monster, forever doomed to kill to avoid starvation. Similarly, Odysseus’s journey has transformed him into a man willing to sacrifice everything—even his own crew—to reach home. Their eerie telepathic connection deepens this parallel, as both understand the loneliness and ruthlessness their fates demand.
Song Credits

- Featured Vocalists: Jorge Rivera-Herrans, KJ Burkhauser, Armando Julián, Cast of EPIC
- Producer: Jorge Rivera-Herrans
- Composer / Lyricist: Jorge Rivera-Herrans
- Release Date: July 4 2024
- Genre: Orchestral Pop / Musical Theatre / Symphonic Rock
- Length: 2 : 54
- Label: Winion Entertainment LLC
- Instruments: strings, electric guitar, orchestral percussion, synth pads, choir, fretless bass
- Mood: ominous, relentless, cathartic
- Track #: 23 on The Thunder Saga EP
- Language: English
- Poetic Meter: predominantly iambic tetrameter cadences dropped into dactylic bursts
- Copyrights © ? Winion Entertainment LLC
Similar Songs Exploring Themes of Betrayal and Survival
- “Monster” — Cast of EPIC: The Musical. Like Scylla, this earlier track frames heroism as self-inflicted monstrosity. Both songs pivot on dissonant string stabs and feature Rivera-Herrans duetting with a literal creature of myth, blurring moral lines until they hum on the same frequency.
- “Thunder Bringer” — EPIC: The Musical. The follow-up to Scylla elevates consequence: Odysseus justifies sacrifice with thunderous choir hits. Where Scylla whispers guilt, “Thunder Bringer” shouts it from anvil-chords, yet both share that 156-BPM urgency and unflinching survival mantra.
- “Hellfire” — Alan Menken, Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Frollo’s confessional waltz echoes Scylla’s 3/4 lilt: grandiose strings, ecclesiastical choir, and a villain revealing monstrous desire. Each song wields religious or mythic imagery to expose corruption in the soul chasing righteousness.
Questions and Answers
- Why does Scylla repeat “Deep down” six times?
- The repetition mirrors her six serpentine heads and the six sailors fated to die, turning a simple hook into fatal countdown.
- What key and tempo define the track?
- C? minor at roughly 156 BPM, delivering high-energy tension with little danceability.
- Who performs Scylla in live concerts?
- On TikTok-streamed concerts the part is often split: Rivera-Herrans sings Odysseus, while guest vocalists such as Armando Julián tackle Scylla’s distorted belts.
- Is there an official cover version?
- Yes, YouTuber Annapantsu released a powerhouse cover on April 10 2025, racking up over half-a-million views in three months.
- How many Spotify streams has Scylla earned?
- As of July 2025 the song sits at 46 million + streams, making it one of EPIC’s top-five plays.
Awards and Chart Positions
The parent EP, The Thunder Saga, debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Cast Album chart the week of July 13 2024, while “Scylla” itself topped Apple Music’s U.S. Musicals songs chart for three consecutive days. TikTok’s “Scylla Vocals Explained” tag now counts over 16 million posts, underscoring viral reach.
How to sing
Vocal range spans A2 to E5, with most of Odysseus sitting around baritone mid-register and Scylla leaping into metallic belts. Breath support is crucial during the rapid 6/8 “Drown in your sorrow” passage: mark the rests after “ fears ” and “ tears ” for quick diaphragmatic resets. Keep consonants percussive — the music’s dotted-eighth accents rely on crisp plosives to ride over dense strings. Practice at half-time (78 BPM) before attacking full tempo.
Fan and Media Reactions
“The line ‘We are the same’ gave me chills — Odysseus became the villain in two beats.”— YouTube user @SirenSongz
“Those 6/8 drums? They feel like oars smacking the Aegean.”— TikTok creator @drumqueen88
“Rivera-Herrans just keeps reinventing Greek myth, and my playlist, one saga at a time.”— The Pinion review
“Tried singing Scylla at karaoke. My vocal cords filed for divorce, but it was worth it!”— Instagram reel comment, @stageleftlol
“Annapantsu’s cover nails the layered demon growls — can we get her on the official cast recording?”— Reddit user u/OdysseusStan
Music video
Epic: The Musical Lyrics: Song List
- The Troy Saga
- The Horse and the Infant
- Just A Man
- Full Speed Ahead
- Open Arms
- Warrior of the Mind
- The Cyclops Saga
- Polyphemus
- Survive
- Remember Them
- My Goodbye
- The Ocean Saga
- Storm
- Luck Runs Out
- Keep Your Friends Close
- Ruthlessness
- The Circe Saga
- Puppeteer
- Wouldn't You Like
- Done For
- There Are Other Ways
- The Underworld Saga
- The Underworld
- No Longer You
- Monster
- The Thunder Saga
- Suffering
- Different Beast
- Scylla
- Mutiny
- Thunder Bringer
- The Wisdom Saga
- Legendary
- Little Wolf
- We’d Be Fine
- Love in Paradise
- God Games
- The Vengeance Saga
- Not Sorry For Loving You
- Dangerous
- Charybdis
- Get in the Water
- 600 Strike
- The Ithaca Saga
- The Challenge
- Hold Them Down
- Odysseus
- I Can’t Help But Wonder
- Would You Fall In Love With Me Again