Now We Are Free

I never thought this would happen — but the ethereal melody of “Now We Are Free” has transcended the sands of time and cinema — making its return in “Gladiator 2.” This evocative song, originally composed by Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard for the 2000 film “Gladiator,” held a profound significance in the original movie, as its closing theme.

The piece symbolized Maximus’s journey to freedom as he reunites with his family, amidst the wheat fields in Elysium; which is a concept of the afterlife that the Romans adopted from Greek mythology. Elysium describes the paradise where the blessed and heroic reside after death.

Now We Are Free is one of Hans Zimmer’s foremost pieces next to Time (Inception). The vocal performance is by Australian singer, Lisa Gerrard. She’s not singing in any particular language — just voicing syllables and melodies. This gives the song an ancient/World sound.

Composer, Harry Gregson-Williams, who has also scored Ridley Scott’s “The Martian” and “The Last Duel” stayed thematically close to the original with Gladiator II. He incorporates Lisa Gerrard’s iconic motif throughout the soundtrack, most notably in the piece, Strength and Honor.

You might also like to play…

Hans Zimmer:  Time | fingerstyle guitar + TAB

A Time of Quiet between the Storms (Dune Part II) | fingerstyle guitar + TAB

The Last Duel | fingerstyle guitar + TAB

How to play Now We Are Free | fingerstyle guitar

[Post updated from 10/7/20]

The guitar tab for this arrangement is beautifully written across 3 pages. While chord shapes are relatively simple, I recommend this piece for intermediate guitar players and up. You’ll play the guitar tab straight through, repeating the Verse as the finale.

Enjoy, the guitar tab is available below:

My song structure looks like this, in accordance with the guitar tab:

Intro, Verse, Chorus 2x

Chorus (#2) 2x, Verse

When returning to the finale verse, you’ll start with the chord shape, rather than the open string preceding it.

[guitar tab] **Hans Zimmer: Now We Are Free | fingerstyle guitar

This song is played in standard tuning with a capo on the 2nd fret.