Gone Away

Gone Away is a narrative song deeply rooted in the lore of the Dream SMP, a popular roleplay Minecraft server. Specifically, it explores the perspective of the character Tubbo following the tragic destruction of L'Manberg, a fictional nation created by the players.

The lyrics grapple with the themes of loss of innocence and the corruption of ideals. The "unfinished symphony" is a direct reference to a famous line by the character Wilbur Soot, symbolizing the nation of L'Manberg which was destroyed before it could reach its potential. The song captures the moment of realization that the political and emotional structures they fought for have been irrevocably shattered by chaos and tyranny.

On a broader level, the song speaks to the universal experience of disillusionment. It portrays how quickly peace can turn to war ("it only took one moment") and challenges the notion that being a "hero" guarantees a happy ending. The recurring line "The thing I built this nation for doesn't exist anymore" underscores a total existential collapse, where the physical destruction of a home mirrors the internal destruction of the protagonist's purpose.

The narrative begins with a deceptive sense of calm, painting a picture of peace on the horizon and the sun rising in the east. However, this tranquility is immediately shattered by the realization that stability is fragile. The narrator laments how a single, decisive moment can alter everything, leaving behind only physical and emotional scars while the concept of freedom drifts out of reach.

As the story progresses, the focus shifts to the inevitability of tyranny and the ruins of a grand plan, described metaphorically as an "unfinished symphony." The narrator reflects on a figure who was consumed by a love for chaos, a force the narrator failed to recognize in time. There is a cynical realization that the traditional hero's journey—where good things happen to the righteous—does not apply to them. Instead, they are left with the harsh truth that their shared adventures, though a gift, cannot stop the drift into separation.

In the emotional climax, the narrator confronts the ultimate loss: the very purpose for which they built their community and nation has ceased to exist. The ideals of life, liberty, and victory have evaporated. The song concludes with a somber acceptance that the foundation of their unity is gone, washed away by the tides of conflict and time.

Gone Away was released on April 2, 2021. It was written and produced by CG5 (Charlie Green), who had become deeply invested in the Dream SMP narrative during the height of its popularity.

The song was specifically inspired by the "Festival Aftermath" arc of the server's story. In a behind-the-scenes video, CG5 revealed that he conducted research by watching lore documentaries by YouTubers like EvanMCGaming to understand the emotional weight of the events. Musically, he drew inspiration from the band Keane, specifically their tracks "Somewhere Only We Know" and "Bend and Break," aiming for a similar piano-driven, emotive sound.

Collaborators on the track included Axie (composition), Ryan Lafford (guitar), and Tanghaly (artwork). The song incorporates direct quotes from the roleplay, such as Technoblade's line "Good things don't happen to heroes," weaving the source material directly into the lyrics.

The song largely follows an AABB or ABAB rhyme scheme in the verses, providing a sense of structured storytelling. For example, "horizon/moment" (slant) and "scars/far" (perfect). The pre-chorus uses a repetitive rhythmic hook with the phrase "Just one moment," emphasizing the suddenness of the trauma.

The rhythm is a steady, mid-tempo 4/4 meter that mimics a marching beat or a heartbeat, driving the song forward without becoming aggressive. This pacing allows the weight of the lyrics to settle, creating a contemplative atmosphere that matches the "aftermath" theme.

Literary Techniques: The song employs intertextuality by weaving actual dialogue from the Dream SMP streams into the verses, grounding the song in its specific canon while maintaining a poetic flow. Irony is used in the line "Tyranny was meant to be," subverting the usual rebellious anthem tropes by accepting defeat.

Musical Techniques: The track opens with a melancholic acoustic guitar and piano arrangement, establishing an intimate, confessional tone. As the song progresses, swelling strings and cinematic percussion are introduced to mirror the epic scale of the conflict. CG5's vocal performance is characterized by a breathy, emotional delivery that transitions into a more powerful, desperate belt during the chorus, reflecting the shift from sadness to realization.

Gone Away is considered one of the definitive anthems of the Dream SMP fandom (MCYT). Upon its release, it garnered millions of views and was widely praised for capturing the emotional nuance of the L'Manberg arc better than many official summaries.

It inspired countless animatics and fan art, becoming a soundtrack for fan-made tribute videos. Within CG5's discography, it marked a successful pivot towards more serious, narrative-driven songs about gaming lore, proving that fan songs could carry genuine emotional weight. It remains a staple in the playlist of Dream SMP fans, often cited alongside other major fandom tracks like "Derivakat's" songs.

The lyrics are dense with references to the specific history of the Dream SMP, functioning as metaphors for war and loss:

• The Unfinished Symphony: A metaphor for L'Manberg. It represents potential cut short and a legacy that will never be completed, directly referencing Wilbur Soot's final speeches.
• Rising in the East: Symbolizes false hope. The sunrise usually suggests a new beginning, but here it highlights the contrast between the beautiful horizon and the destruction on the ground.
• Battle Scars: Represents both the physical damage to the Minecraft world (the craters left by TNT) and the psychological trauma inflicted on the young characters involved in the war.
• Chaos: Personifies the antagonists (like Dream or Technoblade) who value destruction over order, contrasting with the builder/creator archetype of the protagonist.

"It only took one moment": This phrase is repeated constantly, serving as the central motif. It highlights the fragility of peace and how quickly years of work can be undone. It anchors the song in the specific traumatic event of L'Manberg's destruction.

"Gone away": Used as both the title and the refrain, this phrase acts as a sigh of resignation. It punctuates the ends of sections, finalizing the thought that the subject of their grief is irretrievable.

"The thing I built this nation for doesn't exist anymore": A direct quote turned into a lyrical hook, summarizing the central conflict of ideology versus reality.