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I think the greatest praise I can impart upon this work is that it's impossible to tell at a glance whether this is a song about Civilization the video game or about Civilization the culmination of our history as a species.

I'll be honest, this song is far more than a "game rap". It stands on its own and to this day is one of the best songs that I've heard.

"The better the tech is, the lesser the effort to wreck it, the less time to see their eyes and feel sympathetic!" Gives me chills every time I hear it.

Still insane to me that one of the best rap songs ever made was created about the Civ game series. Incredible work Dan. Absolutely amazing

"Times quill is quick to spill its ink onto a new page" -10/10 will watch again

Speechless. Best line here was "Time's quill is quick to spill it's ink onto a new page."

As an history teacher, recognizing all of the references, i can say this is indeed a very powerful song that does exactly what history is meant to do. Question our nature, be it as individuals, bands, nations, empires or a whole species and use the answers of said questionings to encourage us to be better, which doesn't translate exactly into just persuing material/economic progress. If humanity is meant to achieve greater things, we really need to band together and endeavour.

7 years later, this song is more than a "game rap." It stands on its own as a brilliant piece of poetry. I mean come on "the divine right to mankind's plight is christened" and "time's quill is quick to spill it's ink onto a new page" This is seriously genius

Quote from wikipedia " An epic is a lengthy narrative poem, ordinarily concerning a serious subject containing details of heroic deeds and events significant to a culture or nation." Not often you see that word beeing used traditionally these days. But this rap was epic in the truest sense of the word.

When I hear this song, I don't hear it as a game rap. I honestly imagine it as a history rap. Like a history lesson that's much more entertaining. It's so symbolical.

Don't get me wrong, Dan Bull has many good songs. But I firmly believe this is his magnum opus. It's absolutely incredible.

Didn't realize this was based on the game, I always thought it was just a random idea he had and wanted to make, still one of my favorites

It took me a week to realize this was about the game. I honestly thought this was just Earth's history in a rap song. Tip o' the cap, Dan Bull. My favorite tune right here.

Most rappers: "I'm gonna rap about how fly my girl is." Dan Bull: "I'm gonna rap about the entirety of human history and technological accomplishments."

I never knew Churchill secretly dropped some fire rhymes about human civilization

I think this is one of Dan’s most sophisticated works. This goes above and beyond just the game and reaches out on a different level.

I feel as if this isn't a Civ rap, but instead a history one.

Dan, you created the anthem of humanity.

Still coming back to this one a decade later...Truly a fucking masterpiece.

Jesus.... this video was done 10 years ago and it's quality is fantastic. The fact that even 10 years ago you were THIS good. Thanks for making content, wouldn't be the same without you.

I feel this rap helps me recognize the achievement and downfalls of mankind, and how proud I am as a human being to be a part of a civilization created by the ancestors of old. Whether good or bad, they shaped the world, and set the stage for the new heroes of the new age to paint their own history.

Ive watched this so many time now and Ive shared it on facebook to the delight of many of my friends. This, Mr .Dan Bull, is a work of art. No more no less. Truly stunning even without the context of the game.

you spit more fire than gandhi´s nukes

my history teacher played this in class! I fell in love with this song

"Men excited, then enlightened by the Scientific Method" That line simultaneously makes me feel incredibly anxious and proud at the same time.

Does anyone else get chills from this song?

"Man towers above the rest of creation so long as he realizes his own nature, and when he forgets it, he sinks lower than the beasts. "

*Band together and endevour,* *clasp our hands together.* *As our ancestors have,* *and stand the test of time forever.*

I showed this to my Social Teacher, now he has showed it to all his Classes, and will continue to do that for years to come .

"Why is it progress always leads to loads of mess" Preach

"the better the tech is, the lesser the effort to wreck it. The less time to SEE THEIR EYES AND FEEL SYMAPTHETIC" That last line is so disturbingly true.

1. I love where the narrative went, from focusing on the game "Civilization" and unveiling itself to be a social commentary on the subject of Civilization itself. 2. It's amazing to hear how he seamlessly switches from light hearted fun to going deep. Deeper than the Earth's Mantle, deep. 3. Thank you Epic Rap Battles for bringing this guy on your channel. I wouldn't have stumbled here otherwise.

lol just ridiculously good

I just realized why this is just so good, you stick to the theme, Dan. No pop culture references, no jokes, no rapping about how good you rap, this song is truly forever. :)

Am I the only one who gets major chills deep in my spine at 3:09 during the entire Industrialization portion

Don't get me wrong, i really like all your raps. But somehow this one has something magical.

i still find myself coming back to watch/listen to this... it's just too good, i can't help myself. God damn it douglby! what have you done to me~ *plays it 'just one more time'*

This song never fails to bring me to tears if not straight up bawling. You really capture the essence of our whole damn history in 5 minutes making so many points about how shitty we've been but how good we could be

6 years later and this rap is still holding up.

This is not a rap. This is something greater. It has transcended mere gaming rhymes. It has evolved to beyond music. It is a combination of lyrics that embraces the past. Contemplates the present. And dreams for the future. It is the absolute musical manifestation of the human spirit. I applaud you, Dan. This may be, quite literally, the perfect song.

Great work of music. +9001 tourism and +1337 happiness.

"Our aim was riding waves and finding, claiming strange horizons, invading islands, native populations slain with violence, enslaved and made to aim skywards, think of bigger things, sphynxes, pyramids, raise them high in the name of different kings" "The blacksmith is the wizard that gives us these powers, devour enemies leaping down from the siege towers" "The better the tech is, the lesser the effort to wreck it, the less time to see their eyes and feel sympathetic, never regret it" "And after the cremation is a new age, Time's quill is quick to spill its ink onto a new page" "Faith in god is tested, hiding in the desert, men excited, then enlightened by the scientific method" "Tried describing its expression by inscribing his impression, when applying it to heavenly bodies that everybody reckoned, must have been made by a creator or a greater force, nature's author faced examination never faced before" "A world of wonder plundered, traded in the name of progress, but human nature's way shows we should expect no less" "Trust me when I say that previous achievements are just child's play compared to this colossal school of thought" "We set the world ablaze with fossil fuel we bought, it's an epiphany, giving us pretty much infinite energy, it's electricity" "No need for cavalry, battle superseded that with ease, Allies and Axis charging each-other like batteries, a power vacuum allowing the superstates to flourish, redistribute the food even if it means people are malnourished" "Evidently when we find time to be efficient, Einsteinian clear vision can reveal the precision behind the blinds, nuclear fission" "But as long as they listen, to the will of the people, treat all as brilliant equals, we can achieve more than we've ever conceived before" "I implore great leaders to lead with all the grace of which we're capable and be the author of your fate" I swear to god, this is the most lyrically clever, intelligent, and thought-provoking rap song ever known to Man.

It's 2022 now and this song still gives me chills! Bravo!

I feel like Dan should be a world history teacher and sing this on the first day of school to each of his classes

I get goosebumps every goddamn time.

Almost 10 years later I still remember. Every lyric and emotion. Your a god Dan. Keep at it and get the recognition you deserve!

I personally believe this is one of Dan’s most emotional tracks he’s got out here. The emotion as he speaks to us is so invigorating

DAN'S BACK! THIS IS THE DANBULL I REMEMBER. No over-repeated lyrics, just pure simple genius rapped so hard fast and cleverly it peeks our curiosity and makes us rewind a little and pause just to see what words he perfectly put together. Moar of this Dan! The legend has returned!

This is brilliant... It actually gave me shivers...

Yo who's listening to this in the information age???

even all these years later I think this song is amazing. so wild how its stuck to me all these years

the better the tech is, the lesser the effort to wreck it. The less time to see their eyes and feel sympathetic. Drone warefare?

We should try get it on the iTunes Top 10. You deserve to be a well known rapper. Your unique style creates an atmosphere that no other artist can breathe in. This is not music, this is art.

9 years later and this still gives me chills

This peice is not only art, I belive it's Dan Bull's magnum opus. Truly a gripping track.

DAMN that was fucking amazing!

This one is definitely the best music of the Dan.

8 years later and this still HITS.

I've had civ VI in my library for a while, but this rap finally convinced me to actually try it. It isn't my type of game, but this is the single best ad for it.

Dan, I just came across this track today. And I felt the need to let you know that you have done something amazing here. You've nailed the pitfalls of civilisation along with the progress and amazing feats that come with it. It struck at my emotions and I think you deserve to a commendation for that. Well done.

That wasn't about Civilization at all, that was questioning our fundamental nature of progress. I stood up and applauded after that one.

Nine whole years later and I still listen to this Edit: like it's so good and the fact that no more than 6million people have only ever seen this which I find disappointed that this masterpiece isn't recognized as it should be

The original words to this clip, from Civilization V's Brave new world, are incredible unto themselves. However, Dan Bull here gives us an even more artistic and just awesome set of thoughts to meditate on along with the clip. Dan, this was incredible.

I firmly believe that one of the greatest problems humanity faces today is that we fail to understand how much we have achieved. It's far too easy to hate somebody when they slight you. You have no idea who they are, you just know that they troubled you. Knowing that they are human doesn't matter since we're surrounded by billions of humans and we no longer perceive that as anything special. If people could remember that we are all part of a species that dragged itself out of the jungle and onto the moon, a species that dominated the whole world in no time at all, a species that has discovered so many of the inner workings of the universe using crude, unreliable senses... we would respect each other more. We would hate each other less.

oh, your a historian? name everything: Dan Bull:

Still watching whenever i need a good vibe. Thanks Dan

Dan, this is definitely the most amazing thing you ever put up as a rap in my opinion. It displays our history and the game-series itself. The choice of lyrics and the assortment of words were amazing. The instrumental in the background, yet subtly growing, expanding fit perfectly. Thanks.

"Struck by the realisation this is just civilisation in the natal stages of industrialisation" ...gave me goosebumps...

I am amazed at how it took me more than 7 years to listen to this one for the first time. This is poetry in motion, beautiful lyrics, excellent track and a great way to tie to the game by using the cinematics. This piece will go to my personal playlists most definitely.

almost 10 years since one of the greatest pieces of art dropped

I don't like rapping, but my mind was blown. WELL DONE, FANTASTIC and do continue! Loved the video editing, the words and rhythm Jelly

Still teaching history better than any other stuff..... This.. This video should be showed in classrooms.

This is something people really need to hear nowadays.

Our entire history in one song. Makes you realize how great and amazing of a species we are, yet so fragile.

So many years later and this specific video still lives rent-free in my head, it's just too good.

Guess who's showing this to his future History classes?!

This was the ultimate masterpiece. I can't even begin to describe how awesome this song is. So, If you're reading this: scroll up, watch the video and why don't you get the best from the replay button. I will.

This one specific rap by Dan bull will always take me too our world, the past and the future yet to come. I searched even search up this video today. Because its been 8 years since the release i listen to all those years ago.

"i would like to give you the highest honour I can bestow" "having a dan bull song"

"The grace of horse and rider, replaced with war and violence"Probably once of the best lines in this rap. Just the scene alone makes you slightly depressed.A knight honing his skills for years crafting his swordplay, combined that with fighting on horseback to become the best fighter he can be, to serve his country to the fullest, to dream of one day dying on the battlefield along with his fellow knight. To his dream suddenly form into a nightmare, men with "sticks of thunder" bringing down his men left and right, not knowing whether all his training was worth it, decides to stop thinking, put back on his helmet, saddle up his horse and rides back into battle just to be put down like a savage... *And thus the days of men needing years of training to properly wield a sword now barely a month of holding a gun and a man becomes a monster*

How did this gaming rap perfectly explain human nature and history

Gives me shivers to this day. All the pain through history has lead us to the age of wonder we live in today, our reign all coming from the families of a dead past. Let’s not let their efforts go to waste, and continue this expansion of a galactic civilisation.

This song is highly underrated i feel, the lyricism and flow is impeccable 🙏🏻💯 even years after hearing this for the first time it still blows my mind

We can achive more Than we've ever conceived before Leave this poor place please explore space earth, she's a small base even more awaits i implore grat leaders to lead with all the grace of which we're capable and be the author of your fate band together and endeavour clasp our hands together as our ancestors have and stand the test of time forever i feel like... i need to stay alone and in silence for one minute...

I love how the end of the song references the beginning. I don't know if this was intentional, but it kind of represents the idea of history repeating itself. If any one song could be considered art, it would be this. The way it captures human nature and human history in a mere five minutes is simply beautiful. Truly Dan's magnum opus.

even after seven years i still get chills listening to this

Man I remember listening to this the day it launched. Still playing CivV still listening to this song. Thanks for the memories man 👊 💪

Dan, that was a fantastic indictment of society in a rap about a video game. Fantastic work, man. Fantastic.

Jesus, I never even played Civ, but that was amazing.

i've been listening to dan for about 3 years and this is still one of his best songs ever

Dan, after all these years, I still come back to this one in awe. The larger arc comes full circle, and the layered metaphor and simile... and the emotion. Just unbelievable. You're a legend mate.

"Times quill is quick to spill its ink onto a new page." I just can't handle that line, it is too awesome. Every time I listen to this masterpiece that one line just shouts out at me.

this is literally one of the greatest raps I've ever heard

It never gets old does it

[Intro] We learned to band together and endeavor Clasp our hands together Man developed language, letters An incredible advantage, getting plans together But would we stand the test of time Against the planet's reckless climate And its angry weather? [Verse 1] Spread the sails And head west against the gales And storms aboard Norse longboats With decks as dense as nails Our aim was riding waves And finding, claiming strange horizons Invading islands Native populations slain with violence Enslaved and made to aim skyward Think of bigger things - sphinxes, pyramids Raise them high in the name of different kings The different things we've held sacred, divine Through places and times The range of supplications and rites Through ages we find Nations arise As old civilizations crumble to dust Becoming strangers in time, waiting to die Replaced in the night The day breaks and the light changes Illuminating newer human faces as fights rage The human race is facing the might Of righteous states who would write The history books even if it took a knife's blade To find the right page Sengoku Jidai Men offered to die For the honor of a warrior's life [Verse 2] The sun's coming and we're watching it rise As a new era's here, it's as solid as iron Pull the tongs from the fire Strike the hammer to the anvil Craft a weapon to bring an enemy to a standstill The blacksmith is the wizard that gives us These powers - devour enemies Leaping down from the siege towers The better the tech is The lesser the effort to wreck it The less time to see their eyes And feel sympathetic Never regret it A true knight never stays a true blade Never says touché But would forever lay in blue rays of weathered glades To demonstrate his never-ending dedication To the crusade Reformation through flame And after the cremation is a new age Time's quill is quick to spill its ink onto a new page [Verse 3] The faces are the same as when in days gone But brains are cultivated thus creating The Renaissance We're still using steel tools to stay strong Replacing blades with greater trades Pen and paper, song Faith in God is tested, hiding in the desert Men excited, then enlightened by the scientific method Tried describing its expression By inscribing his impression When applying it to heavenly bodies That everybody reckoned Must have been made by a creator or a greater force Nature's author faced examination never faced before The grace of horse and rider Replaced by wars and violence Debased the laws of science Made the case for all the pious Why is it progress always leads to loads of mess The western region spread across the globe and coalesced Settlers spread disease with effortless ease Was it reckless or did it just happen inevitably? While evidently we never can see Through the lens of this century But there's no retreating now Whether or not it was meant to be [Verse 4] The seven seas were sailed Navies prevailed Leaving trails of devastation in their wake As people wailed A world of wonder plundered traded in the name of progress But human nature's way shows we should expect no less Oh yes, struck by the realisation this is just civilisation In the natal stages of industrialisation, trust me when I say That previous achievements are just child's play Compared to this colossal school of thought We set the world ablaze with fossil fuel we bought It's an epiphany Giving us pretty much infinite energy It's electricity Edison, Nikola Tesla - different inventors Giving us everything we depend on Whether it's engines, cinema, television or telecoms Sending a message and spreading it on These unreal frontier channels We develop the tech and then sell it on The reel travels round With the speed of a machine gun's barrels Machinery's a meaner beast and we're still in the saddle No need for cavalry - battle superseded that with ease Allies and Axis Charging each other like batteries A power vacuum allowing the superstates to flourish Redistribute the food even if it means people are malnourished Propaganda is the only view that you're allowed to publish Cause totalitarians are well aware of how to punish Gunning down numbers countless For doubtless nothings that they've done But that won't stop subversive insurgents From coming out with courage Using their power to the fullest Whether creativity or demonstrating general relativity Evidently when we find time to be efficient Einsteinian clear vision can reveal the precision behind the blinds Nuclear fission Despite derision Physicists decide the mission is dividing, splitting atoms 'Till a blinding light is given, quite efficient The divine right to mankind's plight is christened A minor decision hijacked by politicians But as long as they listen to the will of the people Treat all as brilliant equals, we can achieve more Than we've ever conceived before [Outro] Leave this poor place Please explore space Earth, she's a small base Even more awaits I implore great leaders To lead with all the grace Of which we're capable And be the author of your fate Band together and endeavour Clasp our hands together As our ancestors have And stand the test of time forever

I don't usually buy your songs, I just listen to them a couple of times, but this... this is utterly groundbreaking. Buying all 3 versions. This is by far the best thing I have ever seen from you, and I've been here for a while.

THAT. WAS. EPIC. Well, this is gonna shut the mouth of those people who were quick to criticize and kept blabbering on about how "your raps weren't as good as they used to be". Haven't seen a song capture so amazingly that amount of history since Europa by Globus. AMAZING work, Dan!

"a world of wonder plunderer traded in the name of progress but human nature shows we should expect no less" That line hit hard

this ones my favorite