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Steel and Flame

official video title

game promotion image

Steel and Flame is the title of an 80s style rock ballad from the Star Trek Online game "House United", that was published on August 3rd, 2021. The original song was composed and performed by Jason Charles Miller; This Klingon version is performed by L'Rell actress Mary Chieffo. (1) The Klingon translation was provided by Chris Lipscombe.(2)

Contents of this page:

Synopsis
Klingon letters
Lyrics
- Notes
Klingon analysis and critics
Details
See also
References
External links

Synopsis

From the YouTube video description:(3)

Steel and Flame is an epic Klingon anthem, describing L'Rell's return and rise to power within the Klingon empire, and her war against the Mad Emperor J'mpok. Performed by L'rell herself, Mary Chieffo, and written by Jason Charles Miller, this epic symphonic metal brings you right into the fight of House United.

Synopsis of the game; From the YouTube video description:(4)

After traveling to the sacred planet of Boreth and descending into the pits of Gre'thor, J'Ula, matriarch of House Mo'Kai, has resurrected the famed Klingon Warrior, L'Rell (voiced by Mary Chieffo, who originated the role on Star Trek: Discovery). L'Rell will be a guiding light for J'Ula on what it truly means to be Klingon, as players will have to prove themselves and build an army, before heading to Qo'noS for the final epic battle. Captains will also encounter emblematic characters such as Aakar (portrayed by Robert O'Reilly from Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine), General Martok (played by J.G. Hertzler from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine), and Adet'Pa (voiced by Rekha Sharma from Star Trek: Discovery).

Klingon letters

The YouTube preview image uses Klingon letters. These are overlapped with the title of the song "Steel and flame" and that is exactly what the Klingon letters display, except that the final word starts with a P: steel and plame. So when transcribed back, it reads Steel anD plame.

Lyrics

The following English lyrics are taken from the video's hardsubbed subtitles. The lyrics are heard in the song, and were confirmed by Chris Lipscombe.

	Lyrics	Translation
1	SanDIymey tunobbogh vISIQ	I bear the scars that you've given to me
2	'etlh vI'uch 'ej tlhuHmeH tlhab vIneH	I hold the sword and I long to breathe free
3	jISIQ qulvo' jIpep'eghmoHtaHvIS	This is my fight as I rise from the fire
4	jIboghqa' Sujach 'e' vIQoytaHvIS	I am reborn to the sound of your cry
	Chorus
5	mojmeH Ho'DoS mIgh Dalo'	You came to be, treacherously
6	'urbogh DevwI', ra'wI' ngeb	Traitorous leader, false commander
7	yayna' vIchavchu'	I will achieve full victory
8	qeytaHvIS Sotlaw'raj	As I ignore your pleas
9	baS'e' qul ['e' vI-Do-lo'] [?]	Wreathed in steel and flame
10	wo'vam vIDoQqa'chu'	This empire I will reclaim
11	wa'SanIDlogh peHegh	Die a thousand times
12	qo'vam vIche' 'e' boSov	Then you'll know this world is mine
	instrumental break
13	jach 'IwlIj mInDu'wIj boleghDI'	Your blood will scream when you look in my eyes
14	Heghlu'meH QaQ jajvam 'e' boSov	You'll know today is a good day to die
15	meQtaHbogh qachDaq jISuvQo'	I will not fight in a house that's on fire
16	jIche' 'ej jIpIlmoH 'e' vIHech neH	My only end is to rule and inspire
	Chorus
5	mojmeH Ho'DoS mIgh Dalo'	You came to be, treacherously
6	'urbogh DevwI', ra'wI' ngeb	Traitorous leader, false commander
7	yayna' vIchavchu'	I will achieve full victory
8	qeytaHvIS Sotlaw'raj	As I ignore your pleas
9	baS'e' qul ['e' vI-Do-lo'] [?]	Wreathed in steel and flame
10	wo'vam vIDoQqa'chu'	This empire I will reclaim
11	wa'SanIDlogh peHegh	Die a thousand times
12	qo'vam vIche' 'e' boSov	Then you'll know this world is mine
	-
17	tlhIH lIjey	You will fail
18	Hoch SoS	To the Mother of all
	guitar solo
	Chorus
9	baS'e' qul ['e' vI-Do-lo'] [?]	Wreathed in steel and flame
10	wo'vam vIDoQqa'chu'	This empire I will reclaim
11	wa'SanIDlogh bIHegh	Die a thousand times
12	qo'vam vIche' 'e' boSov	Then you'll know this world is mine
	Chorus
9	baS'e' qul ['e' vI-Do-lo'] [?]	Wreathed in steel and flame
10	wo'vam vIDoQqa'chu'	This empire I will reclaim
11	wa'SanIDlogh bIHegh	Die a thousand times
12	qo'vam vIche' 'e' boSov	Then you'll know this world is mine

Notes

When Chris Lipscombe had finished his first draft, he sent it to the producers. His version was slightly different from the above lyrics:(5)

line 3 had the verb jISuv.
line 4 was originally provided differently, using the verb SaQ "cry", which was replaced by jach "scream". Chris Lipscombe originally interpreted the lyrics that the people were crying.
line 9 was originally something entirely different.

Klingon analysis and critics

The Klingon translation is just perfect with no points to criticize.
Some viewers have criticized that the song rhymes in the original version, but not in Klingon.
The pronunciation of Mary Chieffo is pretty good, but still she does some minor mistakes. These are mostly speaking j as zh, S as English "s", saying Q like q, slightly swallowing gh as in English "though", and nearly always ignoring the glottal stop.

Details

Lyrics	Jason Charles Miller
Music	Jason Charles Miller
Singer	Mary Chieffo
Translation	Chris Lipscombe, KLI
Guitar solo	Gary Joseph Potter Jr.
Editor / Mixer	Geoff Bisente