Since then, Jeff has made it his life's work to evolve as a composer and technology specialist. In 1992, at the age of 23, Jeff began to make his mark as a composer/sound designer at Electronic Arts, working on classic computer game franchises including FIFA Soccer, NHL Hockey and the dynamic Need for Speed series.
After 5 years of sports games, Jeff was ready to take on more cinematic styles of composing. He relocated to Australia and contracted to companies around the world creating orchestral, electronic and ethnic/historical soundtracks.
During this time, one of the most successful independent game developers in the world, The Creative Assembly, were looking for a composer for their new Total War franchise and Jeff was the answer. In 2001 he was rewarded for their first collaboration with a BAFTA (British Academy Award) for the Japanese themed soundtrack to The Creative Assembly's Shogun: Total War - Warlord Edition.
The globally recognised BAFTA Interactive Awards reward the achievements in innovation and creativity in the new media industries.
Jeff was once again nominated in 2005 for his original music soundtrack for the computer game Rome: Total War.
The top-selling game, garnered a string of awards which culminated in a cover feature in December's issue of Time Magazine, two BAFTA nominations and three Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences (AIAS) nominations.
The Creative Assembly has an operation based in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley, where Jeff is the Audio Director. In opening an Australian studio of this calibre, The Creative Assembly has recognised the technical talents and skills of Australian artists, audio engineers and programmers.
Jeff's music has proven so popular that The Creative Assembly have released soundtrack CDs of the Total War games.
Forever
Jeff van Dyck Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A cloud has fallen on our shore
The mighty hand and sword of Roman war
And I′ll be brave, be strong, be true, my love
And I'll be waiting for you, forever...
My love you march to war defiant
May god returneth you triumphant
And I'll be waiting for you, forever...
"And remember this above all: Our Roman gods are watching. Make sure
They are not ashamed!"
How can I wait unknowing?
This is the price of war
We rise with noble intentions
And we risk all that is pure
We are only as great as our hearts will allow
What awaits us?
Forever...
What will become of us? What will be, will be
But I hope and I pray, every single day
You'll come to me, come home to me, come home to me...
The lyrics to Jeff van Dyck's song Forever tell the story of two lovers who are separated due to a Roman war. The first stanza mentions a cloud that has fallen on their shore, which hints at the impending doom that the war brings. The second stanza talks about the man marching to war, and his love hoping that he will return triumphant. Both stanzas end with the same refrain of the woman promising to wait for him forever.
The third stanza takes a darker turn as the woman expresses her fear and uncertainty about the future. She questions how she can wait for him without knowing if he will return, highlighting the toll war takes on those left behind. Despite this, the woman still holds onto hope and prays for his safe return, longing for the day he will come home to her.
Overall, the lyrics paint a poignant picture of the sacrifices made in times of war - not just by those fighting, but by those waiting for their return. It highlights the uncertainty and fear that war brings, and the power of hope to keep love alive even in the darkest of times.
Line by Line Meaning
What awaits us?
Uncertainty lies ahead of us.
A cloud has fallen on our shore
Our land is now covered by a shadow of war.
The mighty hand and sword of Roman war
The powerful Roman army has come to fight us.
And I′ll be brave, be strong, be true, my love
I promise to be courageous, resilient and faithful, my beloved.
And I'll be waiting for you, forever...
I will wait for you eternally.
My love you march to war defiant
You, my love, march to battle with a bold spirit.
May god returneth you triumphant
I pray to God that you come back victorious.
And you′ll be brave, be strong, be true, my love
I believe that you will display courage, resilience, and faithfulness in battle.
And I'll be waiting for you, forever...
No matter how long it takes, I will wait for you endlessly.
"And remember this above all: Our Roman gods are watching. Make sure They are not ashamed!"
We are being watched by the gods of Rome. Let us make sure that we do not dishonor our gods.
How can I wait unknowing?
How can I bear the uncertainty of waiting?
This is the price of war
This waiting and uncertainty is what we pay for engaging in war.
We rise with noble intentions
We embark on this journey with honorable motives.
And we risk all that is pure
But we risk losing everything that is good and pure in this war.
We are only as great as our hearts will allow
Our greatness depends on how much we open our hearts.
What will become of us? What will be, will be
We cannot predict the future, whatever happens, happens.
But I hope and I pray, every single day
But I wish and pray every day for your safe return.
You'll come to me, come home to me, come home to me...
I long to see you again, to have you back in my arms, returned safely from the war.
Writer(s): Dominic Hynes, Gary Anthony Mckenzie, James Di Salvio, Jayne Hill, Jez Colin, Robert Joanisse, Sara Johnston, Stephane Moraille, Stephen James Hawley, Colin Jez, James Salvio
Contributed by Charlie O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@rlruwy
What awaits us?
A cloud has fallen on our shore
The mighty hand and sword of Roman war
And I'll be brave, be strong, be true, my love
And I'll be waiting for you, forever...
My love you march to war defiant
May god returneth you triumphant
And you'll be brave, be strong, be true, my love
And I'll be waiting for you, forever...
"And remember this above all: Our Roman gods are watching. Make sure
They are not ashamed!"
How can I wait unknowing?
This is the price of war
We rise with noble intentions
And we risk all that is pure
We are only as great as our hearts will allow
What awaits us?
Forever...
What will become of us? What will be, will be
But I hope and I pray, every single day
You'll come to me, come home to me, come home to me...
@arthureroma8762
Pour toujours
par Angela et Jeff van Dyck
Qu'est-ce qui nous attend ?
Un nuage est tombé sur notre rivage
La main puissante et l'épée de la guerre romaine
Et je serai courageux, fort, vrai, mon amour
Et je t'attendrai pour toujours
Mon amour, tu marches vers la guerre avec défi
Que Dieu te rende triomphant
Et tu seras courageux, sois fort, sois vrai, mon amour
Et je t'attendrai pour toujours
(Général romain : Et rappelez-vous ceci avant tout : nos dieux romains nous regardent, assurez-vous qu’ils n’ont pas honte !)
Comment puis-je attendre sans le savoir ?
C'est le prix de la guerre
Nous nous levons avec de nobles intentions
Et on risque tout ce qui est pur
Nous sommes aussi grands que notre cœur le permet
Qu'est-ce qui nous attend ?
Pour toujours
Ce qu'il adviendra de nous? Ce qui sera sera
Mais j'espère et je prie, chaque jour
Tu viendras vers moi, reviens vers moi, reviens vers moi
@King.Leonidas
We sure miss you in the new total war games
@blastermaster5039
Very true.
@santiagoamado9056
Just for curiosity
What is your profession??!
@alfiebanana
@Santiago Amado im a potter, sir
@domnikoli
the mod that replaces r:tw 2s music with the music from the first is still one of the most downloaded if not the most on the steam workshop currently.
@santiagoamado9056
@Alfie Brennan Ive brought more soldiers than you...
@AstraAndromeda
This was my fathers favorite game, he died back in 2008, he used to have this track on repeat a lot ,so even after all these years I still remember it, it brings back good memories, thank you. <3
@CesorSalad
May he rest in peace.
@archaontheeverchosen
God bless his soul
@ArchMizantrop
may his soul find peace