What the chants in Woodkids Arcane song mean
As people are reintroduced to Woodkids beautiful music in the second season of Arcane, I did want to explain the chant you hear in To Ashes and Blood.
In To Ashes and Blood, Woodkid has returned with the Suginami Junior Chorus (after having them as a chorus before- I'd suggest giving Reactor a listen), a Japanese youth chorus, to sing the portion of the fictitious language known as Shuriman of the people of Shurima. It translates to:
"Beyond these walls, the storm’s fury grows
Over land and sea, the storm’s fury grows
But I have nothing to fear!
For the blue bird is with me!"
Woodkids lyrics around this chorus is definitely reflecting on the story of Arcane and its characters. As the choir deliver the Shuriman chant, Woodkid states To Ashes and Blood on repeat over them. This definitely refers to the fact that both sides are at war, and there will be no mercy until the strongest is the last one standing, as Jinx states that they should let it all burn, while Caitlyn becomes a dictator like figure who is driven mad by her mother's murder. Neither side is willing to be lenient about the massacre that's about the take place.
Meanwhile the Shuriman lyrics are referring to Janna, a mythical figure to the people of Zaun, seen as their protector of sorts. She's a wind elemental, with a blue bird that encircles her. In the game, this blue bird is known as the Zephyr.
The clash of Woodkid finalizing that this will end in Ashes and Blood is contradicted by the people of Zaun (or in this case, Jinx and those who follow her), as they chant their resolve to Janna, as she represents Zaun's hope. Whether Janna will appear in season 2 is a coin toss, since she's seen more as a magical deity figure to the people of Zaun, rather than an actual person. However with the introduction of magic into the latter half of season 1, chances are that powerful figures like Janna may show up (or something like it).
If the song isn't an indicator that she will make an appearance for the people of Zaun, at the very least the chants by the innocent's of Zaun are meant for their beacon of hope as they're confronted with the impending war of Piltover against them- they will not fall because they have a deity of sorts that has always ensured their safety despite the tragedies they will endure.
In other words, this is them saying "bring it".
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