Embedded Files
The Wisdom Saga is the seventh chapter in EPIC: The Musical and marks the second saga of Act 2. Consisting of five songs, it continues the story from The Thunder Saga, delving deeper into Odysseus's emotional and psychological journey. Released on August 30th, 2024, the saga showcases the musical talents of Jorge Rivera-Herrans, who also serves as the producer under the label Winion Entertainment LLC. With a total runtime of 18 minutes and 1 second, The Wisdom Saga expands the narrative with powerful themes of loss, resilience, and transformation as Odysseus edges closer to home.
SONGS
- LEGENDARY
"Legendary" is the first song of The Wisdom Saga in EPIC: The Musical, introducing Act 2’s second chapter with a focus on Telemachus, the son of Odysseus. In this song, Telemachus expresses his desire to follow in his father’s footsteps and lead a life filled with heroic feats and meaning. As he dreams of becoming a legend himself, the track sets the stage for his personal journey and inner conflict. Sung by Miguel Veloso, with supporting vocals from the cast including Ayron Alexander as Antinous and the Suitors,
This song is in D major.
It is the first song in the musical that does not feature Odysseus.
The bridge of the song mirrors the musical note structure of the bridge in "Full Speed Ahead", connecting Telemachus’s journey to his father's legacy.
Athena’s motif can be faintly heard during the first bridge, subtly foreshadowing her upcoming role in the story.
The Suitors' verse contains a nod to a cut song titled "Man of the House," which was originally intended to explore Telemachus’s struggle with stepping into his father’s role.
LYRICS
LYRICS
[TELEMACHUS]
It's just me, myself, and I
Stuck in my bedroom, living in this world you left behind
Dreaming of all these monsters that I'll never get to fight
But boy, I wish I could, so I could bring the world some light
Cause I'm stuck with your stories
But no clue who you are
And no idea if you're dead or just too far
Somebody tell me, come and give me a sign
If I fight those monsters, is it you I'll find?
If so, then
Give me sirens and a cyclops
Give me giants and a hydra
I know life and fate are scary
But I wanna be legendary
I'll fight the harpies and chimeras
The Minotaur, even Cerberus
I know life and fate are scary
But I wanna be l-l-l-l-legendary
There are strangers in our halls
Trying to win the heart of my mom
But she is standing tall
108 old faces of men who call me small
They keep taking space and it's not much longer we can stall
Cause they're getting impatient, dangerous too
And I would fight them if I was half as strong as you
Somebody help me, come and give me the strength
Can I do whatever it takes to keep my mom safe?
If so, then
Give me sirens and a cyclops
Give me giants and a hydra
I know life and fate are scary
But I wanna be legendary
I'll fight the harpies and chimeras
The Minotaur, even Cerberus
I know life and fate are scary
But I wanna be legendary
[SUITORS]
Where is he?
Where is the man who'll have you to wife? Oh
Where is he? Where is the man with whom you'll spend your life?
Cause it's been 20 years
[TELEMACHUS]
20 years
[SUITORS]
And we still have no king
[TELEMACHUS]
Give me a chance, a single opportunity and
I'll overcome these obstacles and scrutiny and-
[ANTINOUS]
Boy!
When's your tramp of a mother gonna choose a new husband?
[SUITORS]
Oh
[ANTINOUS]
Why don't you open her room so we can have fun with her?
[TELEMACHUS]
Don't you dare call my mother a tramp!
[SUITORS]
Oh
[ANTINOUS, spoken]
I just did!
Whatchu gonna do about it, champ?
[TELEMACHUS]
Somebody tell me
Come and give me a sign
If I fight this monster
Is it you I'll find?
2. LITTLE WOLF
2. LITTLE WOLF
"Little Wolf" is the second song of The Wisdom Saga in EPIC: The Musical. In this number, Telemachus confronts Antinous, one of the suitors vying for power in Ithaca, leading to a heated fight that showcases his growing strength and frustration. As the confrontation escalates, Telemachus begins to assert himself more confidently. During this pivotal moment, he gains a powerful new ally — Athena, the goddess of wisdom, who silently begins to guide his journey. The song marks an important turning point in Telemachus’s arc, as he begins to step out from his father’s shadow and chart his own path.
The Suitors are backed by a grungy electric guitar sound, contrasting with Odysseus’s signature blend of electric and nylon string guitar. This musical choice highlights how the Suitors are trying to fill the king’s role, but in a harsher, more chaotic way.
Trumpet flourishes are used in the song to musically parallel Telemachus's confrontation with the Suitors to Odysseus’s own confrontation with Poseidon.
Wolves are used symbolically in the song, representing themes of family, strength, and loyalty. This reflects Telemachus’s dedication to his father and his courage in standing up to Antinous.
The symbolism also ties to Odysseus: Poseidon once compared him to a wolf during their battle (“Guess the pack of wolves is swimming with the shark now”), and Odysseus’s grandfather, Autolycus, has a name that literally means “the wolf itself.”
Athena’s entrance during the song is one of Jorge Rivera-Herrans’s personal favorite moments in EPIC: The Musical.
LYRICS
LYRICS
[ANTINOUS, THE SUITORS]
Fight, little wolf, fight
Wanna entertain me?
Bite, little wolf, bite
Let's see how you take this
Strike, little wolf, strike
Wanna be a man? Then
Fight, little wolf, fight, little wolf, fight
You've made your worst mistake here,
might be your last one too
You'll have run out of bones to break
when you and I are through
I'll teach you all the lessons
your daddy never could
This cruel world doesn't give out presents
just for being good, So
Fight, little wolf, fight
Wanna entertain mе?
Bite, little wolf, bite
Lеt's see how you take this
Strike, little wolf, strike
Wanna be a man? Then
Fight, little wolf, fight, little wolf, fight
Or die, little wolf, die
Don't you know it's fight or
Fly, little wolf, fly
All because you had to
Try, little wolf try
Run away before you
Die, little wolf, die, little wolf, die
[ATHENA, spoken]
Need some help?
[TELEMACHUS]
What's going on here?
[ATHENA]
Is your plan to stand around?
Cause I suggest you fight back
[TELEMACHUS]
I don't know how
[ATHENA, spoken]
Uppercut him, now.
[TELEMACHUS]
Woah, how did I do that?
Is time now moving slow?
[ATHENA]
No, I just made your thoughts quick
[TELEMACHUS, spoken]
Woah, that is so sick!
[ATHENA, spoken]
Alright now, let's try this again.
[ATHENA]
I've no respect for bullies
Those who impose their will
I've seen plenty enough to truly understand this kind of filth
Let's teach this dog a lesson
In front of all his kind
One young wolf has a larger heart than all these men combined
Fight, little wolf, fight
Show them that you've got some
Bite, little wolf, bite
Take advantage now and
Strike, little wolf, strike
Don't go down without a
Fight, little wolf, fight, little wolf
Get up and fight
[SUITORS, ATHENA]
Fight, little wolf, fight
Wanna entertain us? Oh
Bite, little wolf, bite
Let's see how you take this Strike!
Strike, little wolf, strike
Wanna be a man? Then Oh
Fight, little wolf Fight
Fight, little wolf
Fight
[ATHENA, spoken]
Ooh, maybe I pushed you a bit too hard!
[TELEMACHUS, spoken]
Ow...
[ANTINOUS]
Go back and cry in your corner
Make sure your mother hears
If she won't choose a man to adorn her
We'll bring blood and tears
[TELEMACHUS]
Tell me, Athena, why you came to my aid?
3. WE'LL BE FINE
3. WE'LL BE FINE
"We'll Be Fine" is the third song of The Wisdom Saga and continues the narrative of Act 2 in EPIC: The Musical. In this piece, Athena has a heartfelt conversation with Telemachus, offering wisdom, comfort, and guidance by speaking about a dear old friend—implied to be Odysseus. Through her words, Athena provides Telemachus with both reassurance and subtle direction as he begins to find his place in the world and step into his father’s legacy. The song is performed by Teagan Earley as Athena and Miguel Veloso as Telemachus.
Telemachus sounds similar to Odysseus because he is voiced by Miguel Veloso (MICO), who has a vocal and acting style that closely resembles Jorge Rivera-Herrans.
“We’ll Be Fine” is the shortest song in EPIC: The Musical, with a runtime of just 2 minutes and 6 seconds.
Athena sings a melody reminiscent of her duet with Odysseus in Warrior of the Mind, and also echoes Odysseus's riff from My Goodbye, symbolizing her emotional longing for a bond like the one she once had with him.
Telemachus mirrors Odysseus’s melodies, stepping into the companion role Athena desires. He then evolves those harmonies into his own style, representing the possibility of a new friendship—one that honors the past while forging a new path forward. This idea is explored further by Jorge Rivera-Herrans in one of his TikToks.
The line “Then his light went dark” may be a reference to the cut song Your Light, where Polites asks Odysseus if he could be his light. This suggests that Polites may have been symbolically considered Odysseus’s guiding light.
LYRICS
LYRICS
[ATHENA]
I had a friend before, and
He was a lot like you
I helped him fight through war, but
He had his demons too
And then we grew apart
Then his light went dark
And so, I thought
Maybe, if I made a different call
Maybe if I hadn't missed it all
Maybe, he'd be fine
Maybe we'd unwind
Maybe, if I help another soul
Maybe, if I helped you reach your goal
Life could be that bright
I could sleep at night
[TELEMACHUS]
Athena, I don't know who your friend is
I don't know what he's like, but
My time with you has been splendid
The best day of my life
Cause I got in a fight, and I didn't die
I've never felt strong before
You're my friend, I couldn't ask for more
And so, I think
Maybe, if life wasn't spent as planned
Maybe, it's time that you lend a hand
I don't think he'll mind
If not his friend, then mine
[TELEMACHUS & ATHENA]
Maybe, to fall is to learn one way
Maybe, it's all gonna turn out great
I know we'll be fine
I know it's light you'll find
[ATHENA]
You're a good kid
[TELEMACHUS, spoken]
Thanks!
4. LOVE IN PARADISE
4. LOVE IN PARADISE
Love in Paradise is the fourth song of The Wisdom Saga, in which Athena dives into Odysseus’ memories and uncovers that he has been stranded on Calypso’s island for the past seven years. As Athena explores his past, the song brings back many familiar characters from earlier in the saga, reflecting Odysseus's long and harrowing journey. Through this, Athena begins to understand the depth of Odysseus's suffering and isolation, setting the stage for his eventual return. The song features a wide cast, including the voices of Odysseus, Calypso, and several others tied to his memories and trials, creating a powerful moment of reflection and revelation within EPIC: The Musical.
The "Time Dive" sequence features snippets from several earlier songs, including Remember Them, Keep Your Friends Close, Ruthlessness, Done For, No Longer You, Different Beast, Scylla, and Thunder Bringer.
The line “I’m not your man” mirrors the melody of “I’m just a man,” linking Odysseus’s identity crisis across songs.
The lines “I’ll stay inside your heart” and “Stay in my open arms” are lyrical nods to Anticlea and Polites, characters significant to Odysseus’s past.
“Just let me close my eyes” parallels the lyric “Just keep your eyes open” from the dream sequence in Keep Your Friends Close, emphasizing Odysseus’s emotional decline.
Odysseus’s mental breakdown includes reprises from Open Arms, Luck Runs Out, and The Underworld, blending his trauma into one climactic moment.
Penelope’s musical motif plays in the background during his breakdown, but her voice is absent—interpreted by fans as a sign that Odysseus still remembers his wife, though her voice has faded from memory.
A viola playing Penelope’s motif is heard when Odysseus hears Polites’ voice, symbolizing an emotional trigger.
Odysseus’s personal motif is also faintly present during the breakdown, but it’s played weakly to reflect his deteriorated state.
This is the only song in The Wisdom Saga that features Odysseus.
LYRICS
LYRICS
[ATHENA]
Old friend
It's been ten years since I last saw you
[ODYSSEUS]
Remember me!
I am the infamous Odysseus!
[ENSEMBLE]
Oh, woah, woah
[ATHENA]
Let's see where you've been
[AEOLUS]
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer
[POSEIDON]
Ruthlessness is mercy upon oursel-
[CIRCE]
One wrong move and you're done for
Anything I-
[TIRESIAS]
Song of past romance, I see the
[SOLDIERS]
We won't take more suffering from you
[SCYLLA]
Drown in your sorrow and fears
[EURYLOCHUS, spoken]
Captain?
[ODYSSEUS, spoken]
…I have to see her.
[EURYLOCHUS, spoken]
…But we'll die.
[ODYSSEUS, spoken]
…I know.
[ATHENA, spoken]
Odysseus, where did you go?
[CALYPSO]
Morning, sleepyhead
You've been resting for a while
I swore that you were dead
When you washed up on my isle
Did you know you talk in your sleep?
Tell me, though, who's Penelope?
[ODYSSEUS]
She's my wife
[CALYPSO]
Anyways, I've got all you could want here
All you could need here
Just you and me, my dear, my love for life
Soon, into bed we'll climb and spend our time
[ODYSSEUS]
I'm not your man
[CALYPSO]
I'm what you want here
I'm what you need here
Just you and me, my love in paradise
Now 'til the end of time
From here on out, you're mine, all mine
[ODYSSEUS]
Hell no, I could kill you where you stand
I'm no pet, I'm a married man
[CALYPSO]
Oh handsome, you may try
But last I checked, goddesses can't die
[ODYSSEUS]
Goddess?
[CALYPSO]
You're adorable
Bow down now to the immortal Calypso, here to entertain
But fear not, I bring no pain
Cause we've got
All we could want here
All we could need here
Under my spell, we're stuck in paradise
No one can come nor go, my island stays unknown
[ODYSSEUS]
No, no
I don't belong here
There's something wrong here
I won't be drawn to love in paradise
Not 'til the end of time, there is no way
[CALYPSO]
You're mine, all mine
[ATHENA]
Seven years, she's kept you trapped, out of your control
Time can take a heavy toll
[CALYPSO, spoken]
Odysseus?
[ODYSSEUS]
All I hear are screams
[CALYPSO, spoken]
Ody, get away from the ledge!
[ODYSSEUS]
You don't know what I've gone through
You don't know what I've sacrificed
Every comrade I long knew
Every friend, I saw them die
And all I hear are screams
[CALYPSO]
It will be fine, dear
Come back inside, dear
Love of my life, come back to paradise
[ODYSSEUS]
Let me close my eyes
[CALYPSO]
I know your life's been hard
I'll stay inside your heart
[ODYSSEUS]
All I hear are screams
[CALYPSO, ODYSSEUS]
I love you, my dear
I love our time here
Life would be so much worse
Just let me close my eyes
If you had died
Please stay from away from harm
Stay in my open arms
All I hear are...
[POLITES, EURYLOCHUS, ANTICLEA, ODYSSEUS]
This life is amazing when you greet it with open arms
How much longer 'til your luck runs out?
Waiting, waiting, waiting
Whatever we face, we'll be fine if we're leading from the heart
How much longer 'til the show goes south?
Oh
No matter the place, we can light up the world
Here's how to start
How much longer 'til we all fall down? You rely on wit—
Oh
Waiting, waiting
Greet the world with open arms, greet the world with open—
[ODYSSEUS]
ATHENA!!!
[ATHENA]
He needs my help...
5. GOD GAMES
5. GOD GAMES
God Games is the fifth and final song of The Wisdom Saga, in which Athena pleads with the other Olympian gods to show mercy and help save Odysseus. As tensions rise among the deities, she tries to appeal to their reason and morality, urging them to stop treating mortal lives as mere pieces in their divine conflicts. This climactic number showcases the inner workings of Mount Olympus and the political struggles among the gods, while emphasizing Athena’s unwavering loyalty and emotional investment in Odysseus's fate.
Hephaestus is voiced by Jorge's father.
Hades was originally supposed to appear in an early draft.
Apollo, Aphrodite, and Ares supported the Trojans during the Trojan War alongside their father, Zeus. Interestingly, Aphrodite and Ares were wounded in the conflict by Diomedes, the king of Argos, and a fellow student of Athena. Diomedes injured Aphrodite with a spear to her wrist and Ares in the gut, retreating only when warned by Apollo.
God Games draws inspiration from various sources, including The Elite 4 in Pokemon, Kingdom Hearts II, and The Disk Wars in Tron: Legacy.
According to JP Warner, this song was the hardest to mix, as it essentially combined seven songs into one.
The original file for this song was large enough to crash Jorge's laptop whenever he tried to open it
During Ares' segment, the Quick Thought theme is heard but played on an erhu, potentially symbolizing the contrast between Athena and Ares, both war gods but representing different aspects of warfare. Athena governs strategy, wisdom, and victory, while Ares embodies chaos, violence, and bloodshed.
LYRICS
LYRICS
[ATHENA]
Father, God King
Rarely do I ask for favors
Now, I'm knocking on your door
With hopes to save a friendship with one who's a prisoner far from home
Odysseus
[ZEUS]
Divine intervention, is that what you seek?
To untie apprehensions that were placed on that Greek?
You are playing with thunder for a man full of shame
But if he's worth the risk of going under, why not make it a game?
Convince each of them that he ought to be released, and I'll release him
[ATHENA]
Who's them?
[ZEUS]
Apollo, Hephaestus, Aphrodite, Ares, Hera, or me
What do you say?
[APOLLO]
Great
[HEPHAESTUS]
Very well
[APHRODITE]
Eh...
[ARES]
Alright!
[HERA]
Groovy.
[ATHENA]
Bring it.
[ENSEMBLE]
Apollo!
[APOLLO]
You all know I'm a fan of catchy songs
So with so many sirens gone, I think Ody's in the wrong
[ATHENA]
They were trying to do him worse
All he did was reimburse them
Now they'll tread with caution first
To live another day and sing another verse
[APOLLO, spoken]
If that's true, release him
[ENSEMBLE]
Hephaestus!
[HEPHAESTUS]
Trust is not given, it's forged
Why should I give him my support?
He sacrificed his own cohort
[ATHENA]
Did you forget they failed to listen?
He was betrayed and then imprisoned
But if you make the right decision
He can still build a future with those who miss him
[HEPHAESTUS]
Fine, release him
[ENSEMBLE]
Aphrodite
[APHRODITE]
Your little high and mighty Odysseus
Claims to love his mother
But let her die of a broken heart
[ATHENA]
He was busy fighting
[APHRODITE]
More like busy spiting the cyclops
Let him feel the pain that his mother felt and rot
[ATHENA]
Wait, please reconsider this
[ARES]
Really Athena? These old tricks?
[ATHENA, spoken]
Ares!
[ENSEMBLE]
Ares, Ares
[ARES]
What kind of sick coward
Holds back his power
While his friends get devoured?
He didn't even fight Scylla
Didn't even try to kill her
Hides inside a wooden horse to get the job done
Never handles things upfront
Pathetic and weak like his son
[ATHENA]
Hold your tongue now
His son's my friend
And tell your lover that a broken heart can mend
You want more bloodshed?
Then set him free
To get back to his homestead, he'll make everybody bleed
[APHRODITE & ARES, spoken]
Ugh, release him...
[HERA, spoken]
Hey, baby!
[ENSEMBLE]
Hera!
[HERA]
So many heroes
So many tales
Give me one good reason why yours should prevail
[ATHENA]
He’s got the mind of a genius
[HERA]
Try harder.
[ATHENA]
He’s pretty skilled with words
[HERA]
You can do better than that!
[ATHENA]
He’s kind of funny?
[HERA]
Eh...
[ATHENA]
Never once has he cheated on his wife
[HERA, spoken]
...Release him.
[ATHENA, spoken]
I've played your game and won!
Release him!
[ZEUS]
You dare to defy me?!
To make me feel shame?!
No one beats me, NO ONE WINS MY GAME!
[ZEUS & ENSEMBLE]
THUNDER, BRING HER THROUGH THE WRINGER!!!
SHOW HER I'M THE JUDGEMENT CALL,
THE ONE WHO MAKES HER KINGDOM FALL!!!
[ARES]
...Is she dead?!
[Instrumental]
[ATHENA]
Let him go, please...
Let him go...
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