The Handmaiden's Song, also known as the The Sleeping Priestess Song, The Subduing Song and The Pacifiers Song, is a special lullaby sung within the Kuze Shrine in Fatal Frame III: The Tormented. The lullaby was performed by the young handmaidens of the shrine during the Impalement Ritual in order to soothe the pain of the Tattooed Priestess and lull her into a deep, endless sleep.
The song plays a prominent role throughout the game and can be heard both in full and excerpt inside the Manor of Sleep, as well as researched outside of Rei's dreams. The lyrics of the song hold very specific meanings and are symbolic of the actual rituals and traditions of the Kuze Shrine.
Lyrics[]
English[]
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Handmaiden's song in English |
- Sleep, priestess, lie in peace
- Sleep, priestess, lie in peace
- If you cry, the boat you'll ride, the last trip to the other side,
- Once you get there, sacred marks you'll bear,
- They shall be peeled off, should you fail to lie still.
- Sleep, priestess, lie in peace
- Sleep, priestess, lie in peace
- If the priestess wakes from her dream
- Perform the rite of stakes, her limbs pinned tight
- Lest the doors open wide and suffering unleashed on all.
- Go to the other side
- Go to the other side
- Cast the boat, take a ride, cross the rift to the other side
- Further and further to the other side,
- It must sail bearing your tattoos and our offering of tears.
Japanese[]
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2nd verse excerpt in Japanese |
Trivia[]
- The melody for the song is inspired by Hiraita Hiraita, a Japanese folk song about a lotus flower blooming.