“It is unknown, whose memories these are. It may be something beyond our comprehension.”
– Robo
For the 25th Anniversary of my favorite videogame “Chrono Trigger, I wanted to pay tribute to this timeless classic the best way I know how. This game holds a special place in my heart, not only for it’s amazing soundtrack (composed by Yasunori Mitsuda), but also for it’s epic storyline about traveling through time, changing fate, and saving the planet.
“This can’t be the way the world ends…” – Marle, after seeing the Day of Lavos
When I was a kid, the only planets I was worried about saving were in videogames like this one. But as I got older, I realized that our world truly was in danger, and that there were evil forces at play trying to destroy it. The games of my childhood became all too real. That’s why it is important now more than ever that we work together to address issues such as the Coronavirus pandemic, climate change, pollution, global warming and continue to fight for our right to exist as a species. As Carl Sagan put it 30 years ago, when Voyager 1 left our planetary system and took one final glimpse of this ‘pale blue dot’ we call home:
“Our posturings, our imagined self-importance, the delusion that we have some privileged position in the Universe, are challenged by this point of pale light. Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark. In our obscurity, in all this vastness, there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves.”
In other words, it is up all to us. The fate of the world depends on it.
As far as time travel goes, I think we all have certain moments that we wish we could travel back to or change. In the game Chrono Trigger, there’s a campfire scene in which Robo theorizes that memories are actually a form of time travel. I believe this to be true: for me, things like music, art and videogames have the power to do exactly just that. When I listen to my favorite songs or play my favorite games, it’s as if a portal is opened up and I’m instantly transported to another time and space (just like Chrono and his trusty companions). So if you’re listening out there, I hope this song can help do the same for you.
Once upon a time I knew this guy named Chrono, real spiky hair He was from the 90’s , and wore Nike Airs One day he woke up and he headed to the street fair Leene Square, little did he know who he would meet there Marle, she was descendent of a princess She dropped her pendent, when he picked it up he caught her interest Meanwhile, this girl name Lucca His next door neighbor, her favorite gun – bazooka Was workin on some kind of transportation device I should have know better than to go and take her advice But yo, she asked for a couple of volunteers Marle steps up, and she magically disappears Into thin air, or maybe a black hole If I don’t go after her, I’ma look like an asshole So, I step up to the platform and press the button I don’t know where I’m headed, but f*ck it here goes nothin’
Chorus
Time Travellin’ Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis Time Travellin’ When I was dead broke man I couldn’t picture this
Verse 2
I look around, now I’m somewhere in the Middle Ages And when I fight my time is measured by these little gauges I made it through the forest, now I’m at the castle gates but then I get ambushed by the guards, isn’t that just great? I gotta find a way, up out of this mess I’m on trial for kidnapping the princess Told you I was clean, what you want me to take a piss test? I wish that I could hear what they’re saying, but it’s just text So, now I’m locked up…man f*ck that I’m breakin’ out of here its time to get my stuff back I look around and find a hole in the wall Climbing up the side of the castle, man I hope I don’t fall Then get confronted by the Chancellor – no Warhol Now where’s my sword, I’m gettin’ kinda bored ya’ll I hear a “roar” as he heads for the door Turn around to face the dragon hope you’re ready for war I’m time travellin’
Chorus
Verse 3
So we defeat the dragon and then try to escape Get chased through the forest then we end up finding a gate No time to waste, I’m bout to transcend time and space Activate the portal, disappear without a trace Yo, next thing you know – we chillin in a strange dome Used to play this game every day when I came home Its kinda cold but I figure I’ll take my chances So I set set off on my journey hoping maybe I can find some answers Then Lucca discovers this videotape Of how he world ends and suffers from a grizzly fate Damn I guess we’re a just little bit late But wait, look at the date, Theres still a chance that it could have been saved Met this robot, who said he wanted to roll Because none of the other robots had a heart or a soul Its time to save the planet, yeah that’s part of the goal Everyday after school, man you already know I’m time travellin’
Chorus
Credits
Written, performed and produced by Amerigo Gazaway
Chrono Trigger original soundtrack composed by Yasunori Mitsuda
“Secret Of The Forest “cover version by Guido (sample)
