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At the end of season four of Doctor Who, when Tennant's Doctor is towing the earth back to its proper place, the track playing is "Song of Freedom".

In this track, there are some chanting voices. Does anyone know what they are chanting, in what language? Do the lyrics have any hidden meaning? Or maybe they are only chanting noises, and not necessarily actual words.

Anyone know?

P.S. I wasn't sure if this fit better on Movies & TV or Sci-fi & Fantasy. It's not specifically about the sci-fi plots or technology or species or anything of the show (as far as I can tell), so I opted to put it here. If an admin thinks it'd be better on SciFi&Fant, please move it.

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Does this chanting only exist in the show? I'm kinda guessing it does based on the translation. The main issue I see is that this borders on music trivia, but it seems that the piece is directly tied to the show and has a pretty signifigant meaning. – DForck42♦ Oct 17 '12 at 16:03
Yes, the lyrics most definitely have meaning very specific to the show. – eidylon Oct 17 '12 at 19:04

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Here's a video with the Latin lyrics superimposed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cmkad_x6xUs

And with a literal translation in English: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lihghy0YU2E&feature=youtu.be

ADDITIONAL NOTES: Lyrics and translations by Classicist Penelope Goodman, University of Leeds Murray Gold’s lyrics
Vale Decem... Ad aeternam... Di meliora... Ad aeternam... Vale Decem... Di meliora... Beati... Pacifici... Vale Decem... Alis grave... Ad perpetuam memoriam... Vale Decem... Gratis tibi ago... Ad aeternam... Nunquam singularis... Nunquam... Dum spiro fido... Vale…

Literal translation Farewell, Ten... To the eternal... (May the) gods (grant you) better (things)... To the eternal... Farewell, Ten... (May the) gods (grant you) better (things)... Blessed... (Are) the peacemakers... Farewell, Ten... Heavy with wings... To perpetual memory... Farewell, Ten... I give you thanks... To the eternal... Never alone... Never... While I breathe I trust... Farewell…

Mood-appropriate translation Farewell, Ten... On to eternity... The fates be with you... On to eternity... Farewell, Ten... The fates be with you... Oh, blessed he... Who brought us peace... Farewell, Ten... Lay down your burden... We will remember you forever more... Farewell, Ten... We give you thanks... On to eternity... You are not alone... Never... Trust to the last... Farewell…

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Very cool. Thanks! Did you do those translations? – eidylon Oct 17 '12 at 2:55
Ha! I wish I knew Latin! Nope, just googled for the lyrics till I finally found them. – Mary Jo Finch Oct 17 '12 at 3:03
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Are the lyrics in Song of Freedom the same as Vale Decem? – Xantec Oct 17 '12 at 3:04
Yes they are. I have added translations. – Mary Jo Finch Oct 17 '12 at 3:20
Aww... those are wonderful lyrics. What a wonderful send-off for the 10th Doctor. :) – eidylon Oct 17 '12 at 3:55
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