We all know the song, we've all heard it. Erwin's sendoff song, for all intensive purposes.

But, it's not.

I was listening to the lyrics again, this time with subtitles, when something caught my attention.

"I'll cry for you in a dream Now I must rise to be queen"

There's only one Queen within the walls.

So I decided to look up all the lyrics, and I came to the conclusion that this is Historia's theme. Now, for the anime-onlies (and if that's you, then is your spoiler warning: leave now) this means little, for the song doesn't make sense without the context.

The thing is, the recent events in the Manga give us the context we need to understand this song. I'm going to break it down right now, actually.

"Freedom!

Freedom!

Forgive me!"

Freedom, freedom, forgive me. Who is Historia asking forgiveness from? Why is she seeking freedom? What for?

Ask yourself this. What is the price of Paradis' freedom right now?

"Retake Maria!

Victorious, triumphant"

The song is acting as if it knows the outcome of the Battle of Shiganshina. Erwin wouldn't know this, his mind was in a different place before he died. That's because Historia does know. She's lamenting something, after the victory, of course.

"All of my kingdom

For your return

I'd let it all burn!

I'd let it all burn

Dear departed"

And then there's this. This, which sounds very much like Eren's mentality currently, if 'kingdom' and 'Paradis' are interchangeable, which they are. We know Historia has a large part to play in Eren's plans. In order for Paradis, her friends, her people, to be safe, the outside world must burn and she knows it. This gives me the thought that maybe this is after Eren sees "That Scenery." It's clear that he saw future events transpiring at that moment; why not Historia?

"I'll cry for you in a dream

Now I must rise to be queen

Be worthy!

Be worthy!"

And the saddest part of this whole song. Despite knowing what must be done and what/who must be sacrificed, she cries herself to sleep, dreaming of her dear departed.

And yet, she must wake up, and forge on. She must be worthy.