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.
Till We Meet Again
Jeff van Dyck Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The path was long, the journey done
So here at last, the past begins
Now we must part, farewell my friend
Till we meet again
The path was long, the journey ends
Till we meet again
The lyrics of Jeff van Dyck's song "Till We Meet Again" convey a sense of bittersweet nostalgia and farewell. The opening lines, "We've travelled far, by moon and sun," suggest that the singer and the person they're addressing have gone through an arduous journey together, enduring both dark and bright times. The phrase "The path was long, the journey done" signifies that their shared experience has come to an end, and now they must face a new beginning.
As the verse continues, the lyrics express a sense of melancholy resignation: "So here at last, the past begins, now we must part, farewell my friend." These lines indicate that despite the anticipation of a new chapter, there is a sadness in saying goodbye to someone who has been a valued companion. The repetition of "Till we meet again" reinforces the hope of a future reunion, suggesting that this parting is not permanent, but rather a necessary separation for the time being.
The repetition of the phrase "The path was long, the journey ends" in the latter part of the song's lyrics further emphasizes the finality of the present moment. It reminds us that although the journey may have been challenging, it has now concluded. The farewell is repeated, reinforcing the emotional weight of parting ways, while the hope of meeting again sustains a glimmer of optimism in the face of goodbye.
Overall, "Till We Meet Again" beautifully encapsulates the complex emotions associated with bidding farewell to a dear friend or loved one after a shared journey, acknowledging both the end of a particular phase and the hope for a future reunion.
Line by Line Meaning
We've travelled far, by moon and sun
We have journeyed a great distance, under the light of both the moon and the sun.
The path was long, the journey done
The road we travelled was lengthy, but our journey has finally reached its conclusion.
So here at last, the past begins
At this moment, the past is revisited and a new chapter begins.
Now we must part, farewell my friend
Now we must separate, bidding each other goodbye, my dear friend.
Till we meet again
Until the time comes for us to reunite once more.
The path was long, the journey ends
The path we travelled was arduous, but now our journey comes to an end.
Now we must part, farewell my friend
Now we must say goodbye and go our separate ways, my dear friend.
Till we meet again
Until the day arrives when we have the chance to meet again.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Jeff Van Dyck
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Setz Frost
This cristallyzes pretty well that feeling you get when you reach the end of a story, the subtle mix between the sadness of parting and the satisfaction of concluding. This song - and the entire soundtrack, along with the game itself - deserves so much more recognition
Lord Neithar
I just finished the game today, when this began playing in the credits I felt that same feeling of something ending, something a game hadn't made me feel in a very long time
Alessandro Panico
I totally agree. Never have I seen a game mix such different yet relatable genres. It's like playing dnd on solo mode and still experiencing a lot
StarGames-Rethel
Just... thank you for this beautiful game and this beautiful soundtrack. Hope we'll meet you again.
Műzli kutya
Such a mesmerizing melody, it feels like something or somebody is embracing my soul. This song represents accurately its title, this is how I feel until we meet again.
Jake Faulkner
Want this played at my funeral
MaximvsDread
Well, Mr. Dyck. You, the Mrs. and your ensemble have failed to displease me yet once again. Most people do not understand the importance of a score on a movie or a game. We wouldn't still be talking about The Good the Bad and, the Ugly, Jaws, Star Wars, Blade Runner, Aliens or, Legend, to mention a few, if it were not for their scores. Some friends and I watched the rerelease of Legend and shorty into the movie we looked at each other and realized there was something terribly wrong. The score by Tangerine Dream had been replaced with Jerry Goldsmiths' apathetic boring cacophony. It literally destroyed the entire mood of the film. Obviously we elected to watch the old version of the film and went on to enjoy ourselves. But, the point was made obvious to several of my friends to the subliminal importance of music in a visual work. I have been unhappy with the fact that you were not the music writer to several of the Total War games. Needless to say I don't play them as often as the ones you've worked on. They just get boring. Your musical style invigorates me and others to keep playing long after hours. No one can argue the original Rome Total War score is one of the finest in all of game land. Your short intro piece in the Rome 2 trailer brings me near to tears knowing what I know now could and should have been. You truly are one of the greats in music and terribly underrated. Till we meet again be well :)
Jeff van Dyck
MaximvsDread thank you for such a wonderful comment. Much appreciated :)
Salsa Games
@Jeff van Dyck a well deserved comment, couldn't have said it better.
Snow is snowier
They cut off all of the music out of the steam release of Mafia The City Of Lost heaven, the game is terrible now