Never Meant To Be – a year of Dream SMP Music (ft. beetlebug, Kanaya, Derivakat, Kroh, etc.)

We didn't know we'd end up in here...

A year and a week after An Ode to L'Manburg was released, we take a trip back to memory lane and revisit L'Manberg one more time, viewing our most favorite moments of the once great nation. This song also symbolizes how Dream SMP Music has evolved from just a ukulele to multiple instruments, and how singer-songwriters in the fandom have exponentially multiplied in the past year.

This project was two months in the making, and it wouldn't be possible without the help of these singer-songwriters:

@auribeetlebug
@kanayaa
@seiggel
@ianhasopinions9165
@candlebard8042
@creamay5352
@amandafaganofficial
@TheBillJohnsonVarietyHour
@MeganShumway
@Derivakat
@alioofmusic
@Ellienort
@HatorBee
@MizzFishYT
@kroh
@ButterscotchBread
@akoji
@halfydraws and @winks_kayla
@Fenyxo7
@bakoozla

these communities:
the pjama party (My Discord Server)
@LManbergTheMusical
Project:BLADE
@symphonytas (c/o @Polybrow )

and these artists:

This one is for L'Manberg,
Whose flag can't fly
Whose pages were torn
Whose tale told of a dismal end
Whose walls could never stand the test of time.

o7

CHORDS AND OTHER DATA HERE:

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[preciousjewelamor]

I can’t post this on Spotify (and others) as this has too many people to split pay with :)

pls don’t repost this elsewhere coz it would mean you didn’t just steal from me, but also all of the people involved. this is an unmonetized project. /srs

[Kadel___]

The fact that Eret's impromptu line became so profound for the Dream SMP is so awesome to believe that it would have this much depth in just one year.

[trickypvp]

Marvel fans: infinity war was the greatest crossover

Mcyt fans:

[straightjacket_kickboxer]

"It was never meant to be."

A phrase so simple, yet so iconic.
It's the one sentence that is unchangeably linked to the fate of one certain city-nation, built and destroyed on the Minecraft server known as the Dream SMP.
And as it turned out, the story of this nation, the story of L'Manberg...
It caught the attention of thousands of viewers, took the Internet by storm and touched the hearts of many.

While some may find it puzzling that one would find enjoyment and entertainment in Minecraft roleplay of all things, it is a fact that people have cried over L'Manberg - and especially over these words, the "It-was-never-meant-to-be"s.
And I can tell you with confidence: They cried again today, with the release of this song (heck, even I teared up a little).

Because "It was never meant to be"...
It means shattered ambitions, lost dreams, a spark of hope dying in the roaring flames, the inferno of destruction.
It paints the picture of desillusioned, broken people looking their self-made tragedy in the eye, sees them comprehending the loss of what was once considered pure and perfect, fills their tainted memory with vibrant color of old things beloved, and that image moves us, is a mirror of pure emotion, an illustrated, elaborate storybook.

The words tell the story of a king who got crowned for leading his/her/their friends into their demise.
They tell the story of a bright leader turned villain whose treacherous path lead him right into his father's arms - dead amidst rubble and dust.
They tell the story of a girl that set the sprout of her nation aflame, bidding goodbye to everything she once believed in.

And not everyone will understand.
But we do.
We, the community.
And we honor these stories and their meaning.

People often only see the negative sides of the MCYT and DSMP fanbase, when in truth, the positives can outweight the reputation that an inconsiderate few give us.
I've had the chance to talk to some of you;
And never have I met Internet strangers as talented, supportive and kind as you are.
We may not know each other, but we bonded over the things we like.

And the things we like, that's not just the mentioned blockgame and the creativity and perhaps, nostalgia, anymore.
Some of us are interested in the DSMP because the streamers entertain them and give them comfort.
Lore ethusiasts tune in on behalf of following the story, and the discussions that follow.
But most importantly for this video, it's the art - any form of art, like the songs you write, that comes out of it, which charms and touches us.

Any positive we experience is pieced together in art, in the works that this community creates.
From the smallest comment to entire animations and animatics, we do and make the things that we love and bring enjoyment to other fans.
And in the case of this video, for both the singers dear darugona and daiikon illustrated so beautifully and the ones behind the scenes that you cannot see, these "things that you love" is music.

DSMP music has been around for over a year now, and rarely does a fanbase have such extensive musical fan content.
We're at a point where there must be hundreds of, perhaps over a thousand DSMP fansongs - and all of them have their own, unique sound.
Hundreds of voices have sung songs tailored to MCYT and especially the DSMP (and there are even more musicians producing scores and orchestral pieces) and so many of them came together to make the creation of this collaboration - possibly the biggest music-specific collab the MCYT and DSMP communities (or even most other fanbases) have ever seen - a reality.

This is an ode to the fictional nation that got destroyed three times before it was allowed to rest in peace, still remembered with both grief and joy by its former citizens, both the characters and the viewers.
But it is also a tribute to the fans, most notably DSMP musicians, and everyone who enjoys their music.

And yes, we can lament that L'Manberg wasn't meant to be but...
It's existence brought all of these wonderful artists together, them, and us, the people in the comment section.
And I shall hope that we all agree that this *was* meant to be.

[bakoozla]

everyone, i happen to be one of the people who have witnessed the making of this song behind the scenes for a solid few months now. can we all thank pj for having the guts to bring together so many creators together for the most nostalgic song you will ever witness? it takes a lot of courage, confidence, and so much more to contact all these people for something like this. she's truly a huge gift to the community. i've seen the things she's done for this song, making sure every single detail is perfect and in place. so much love and thought went into this project and im so proud i was part of it. THE P IN PRECIOUS JEWEL AMOR STANDS FOR POGCHAMP. TYSM FOR DOING THIS PJ. YOU'RE THE ABSOLUTE SWEETEST AND ME AND THE REST OF THE COMMUNITY LOVE YOU SO SO SO MUCH. I CAN'T WAIT FOR THIS TO PREMIERE!!!! <33

[frostfire]

This will be amazing. Ode to l'manburg was amazing, with so many amazing people it'll be that 10 fold

[acerniss]

I couldn’t believe it. It’s been a year already? It seems like it had just been yesterday that L’Manburg had gone kaboom for the very first time. Time really does fly.

I’m incredibly excited to hear what had been done here, and the fact that pretty much most of the Dream SMP artists are involved in a project together? It’s almost like a dream come true.

With that said, I am genuinely looking forwards to this release, and I already know that I’ll love it! :D

[wynluong]

The dream smp music community was one of the best things that have ever happened to me, and this song reflects all our growths, our trials and tribulations, and how much we've bonded over a block game. L'Manberg might not have been meant to be, but /we/ all were <3

[Runealin]

It seems like it was so recently that all of you absolutely amazing songwriters released your first song, or your fifth, or tenth, while in reality it's been way longer and time flies by so quickly. I am super excited for this, you've all gone such a long way since then and will get much further I'm sure!! And know that a lot of people will stick around if/when any of you stop releasing mcyt related music, and I'm looking forward to all of your future releases

[crazy_blue]

Gosh I remember when the first Dsmp inspired songs of many of these singer-songwriters came out. I’m so glad I stayed in this community, it’s absolutely amazing. Everyone has talent. I love you all so much

[starofwynter]

This isn't a song for the creators.
This isn't a song for the characters.
This isn't a song for the story.
This isn't a song for the land.
This isn't a song for the art.
This isn't a song for the artists.

This? This is a song for us. For everyone.

For the community.

[hollsyy]

Three years and many tears later, this hits different- for more than one reason. I wish I'd found Dream SMP earlier. I only heard of it as it was ending, and this song in July 2023. I wish that I could have been there, making fan content and wondering what would happen on the next lore stream. But maybe, it was Never Meant to Be. This song stands not only for L'Manburg, but as a tribute to the entire Dream SMP and its very talented fanbase. Here's to FOUR years of Dream SMP music and memories. o7.

[amandafaganofficial]

Thank you so much for inviting me to participate in this amazing project. I had SO MUCH FUN!!! PJ, you did an awesome job putting this together. This is incredible!! Thank you for all that you do for the community. LOVE YOU <3

[cuboidgamez]

The crossover we didn't ask for but needed:

[Arasushii]

I return here again.3 years has passed it felt like yesterday i just start watching dsmp, i feel proud that i used to join this fandom.. enjoying multiples fan made song for this fandom it hit me different, i miss those days i woke up 3 am just to watch my favourite streamer goes live or probably waiting new song to be released..animator and fanfic authors also from this fandom are fantastic, they made multiple history in the fandom..i hope i could rewind the year to feel it again..

[ohheyitsamity]

i just see everyone who worked on this hand-in-hand, singing a song of unity and tragedy, as they stand by the horizon filled with the people who fought for and with what they love, like a bittersweet goodbye; a new beginning, and oh, how far we've come since then

im telling u guys y'all aren't ready for this, get ur tissues ready, drink some water and inhale the sweet scent of one entire year together <33

[notimportant]

L'manburg, you were glorious while you existed, a ray of hope shining in the darkness, but that light dimmed, more and more, til there was none. You were a great symphony, now unfinished forever. And though everything was destroyed you are a reminder of the mistakes, losses, and victories we went through. Your flag still waves vibrantly in our memories. However tragic your story may have ended we will all remember you with respect. L'manburg, you were truly never meant to be. But maybe in a life, a different world, you were able to exist in harmony.

[aurunarestinpeacetechnobla]

4/10/2023 Thank you for everything. This was the DreamSMP. This community was always meant to be


o7

[laurenyoder]

Tears in my eyes rn :') L’manburg was never meant to be, but this community of amazing artists and fans definitely was. Thank you all for an amazing year of music, you have enriched this fandom so much and it would not be the same without you ❤

[AVeryFilthyCasual]

Time flies by. So many things have happened, yet we can still remember a good few of them like they were just yesterday. A magnum opus of the Dream SMP fandoms best singers and songwriters, all put together in one video. Can't wait for the premiere in 2 days!

Edit: GOSH DARN IT I MISSED THE PREMIERE
Anyways, that aside, this was great, it was just a sort of, coalescence of Drram SMP music, and the history of Lmanburg as a whole. It somehow manages to focus on those two thing with equal intensity, not letting one overshadow the other too much. Overall, a great song, sad that I wasn't here for the premiere or the afterstream, but hey, atleast I still heard it. Can't wait to see what what future has in store for the entire Dream SMP fandom, singer, animator, songwriter, etc. Now if you excuse me, I'm going to go channel hunting for everyone in this video.