"Burn My Dread" is the opening and main theme of Persona 3. It was composed by Shoji Meguro with lyrics by Shigeo Komori and Yoshihiro Komori, and has vocals for Yumi Kawamura in the original song, and Azumi Takahashi in the Persona 3 Reload version.

The version used as the opening song in Persona 3 is track #1 on disc 1 of the Persona 3 Original Soundtrack, and the full song is track #1 of Burn My Dread: Reincarnation: Persona 3. A new version for Persona 3 Reload titled "Burn My Dread -Reload-" was available as a bonus track for people who purchased the physical release of the Persona 3 Reload Original Soundtrack.

Another version was created for Persona 3 The Movie: Spring of Birth titled as "Burn My Dread -Spring of Birth ver.-" arranged by Shoji Meguro.

Lyrics

The lyrics were included in the Persona 3 Original Soundtrack booklet. The extended version of the lyrics were included in the Burn My Dread: Reincarnation: Persona 3 booklet. Interestingly, the lyrics included for the in-game version don't actually match the vocals for the song.

Dreamless dorm ticking clock

I stalk away from the soundless room

Facing down moonlight melts

my ghostly shadow to the lukewarm gloom

Nightly dance of bleeding swords

reminds me that I still live


I will burn my dread

I once ran away from the god of fear

And he chained me in despair


Burn my dread

I will break the chain

And run till i see the sunlight again


I'll lift my face and run to the sunlight

Dreamless dorm ticking clock

I walk away from the soundless room

Windless night moonlight melts

My ghostly shadow to the lukewarm gloom


Nightly dance of bleeding swords

Reminds me that I still live


I will burn my dread

I once ran away from the god of fear

And he chained me to dispair[sic]


Burn my dread

I'll break the chain

And run till I see the sunlight again


I'll lift my face and run to the sunlight


Voiceless town tapping feet

I clench my fists in pockets tight

Far in mist a tower awaits

Like a merciless tomb devouring moonlight


Clockwork maze end unknown

In frozen time a staircase stands

Shadows crawl on bloodstain floor

I rush straight ahead with a sword in hands


Cold touch of my trembling gun

I close my eyes to hear you breathe


I will burn my dread

This time I'll grapple down that god of fear

And throw him into hell's fire


Burn my Dread

I'll shrug the pain


And run till I see the sunlight again

Oh I will run burning all regret and dread

And I will face the sun with pride of the living

Game Appearances

Persona 3

"Burn My Dread" plays during the opening movie for the game, appearing before the title screen. The movie and song returned in Persona 3 FES as an alternate opening, seen after sitting idle on the title screen for roughly 20 seconds. It recurs in both games as a leitmotif throughout the soundtrack.

An alternate version, "Burn My Dread -Last Battle-" plays as the battle theme for the final boss and includes new vocals from Lotus Juice.

Persona 3 Reload

"Burn My Dread" is briefly heard at the very beginning of the game's opening movie as a piece of diegetic music, but Makoto Yuki skips it in order to let "Full Moon Full Life" play instead. A full remix of the song isn't in the game and is only available as a bonus track in the physical soundtrack release.

Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight

Anime Appearances

Persona 4 The Animation

"Burn My Dread" is used as the opening of episode 15 when the Investigation Team go on a class trip to Tatsumi Port Island.

Persona 3 The Movie: Spring of Birth

Videos

Persona 3 opening movie

References