The Ballad Of The Witches' Road

"The Ballad of the Witches' Road" is a song from the Marvel Studios Disney+ television miniseries '' Agatha All Along'', written by composers Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. Eight versions of the song were used throughout the series; the main version is referred to as the "Sacred Chant Version".

Background and production

In January 2023, Kathryn Hahn hinted that the series would include original songs similar to those featured in ''WandaVision'' such as " Agatha All Along". In March, Christophe Beck revealed that he would be returning from ''WandaVision'' and other MCU media to compose the score for the series. The following month, Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez were revealed to have written the series' original songs, also returning from ''WandaVision''. Hahn serves as the lead singer for some songs, with the other witch actors such as Patti LuPone acting as background singers. Jac Schaeffer wanted to work with the composers to find a way to weave whatever songs they came up with into the series' narrative. One of their songs, "The Ballad of the Witches' Road", became an ancient tune in the series that all witches are familiar with. In September 2024, Michael Paraskevas was revealed to have composed the score with Beck, after previously working together in the MCU series '' Hawkeye'' (2021).

Release history and versions

The True Crime Version and the Sacred Chant Version were released on September 19, 2024, as part of '' Songs from Agatha All Along (Episodes 1 & 2)''. The Lorna Wu's Version and the Cover Version were released on October 3, 2024, as part of '' Songs from Agatha All Along (Episode 4)''. The Score Version along with True Crime, Sacred Chant, Lorna Wu's, and Cover versions were released together on October 11, as part of '' Agatha All Along: Vol. 1 (Episodes 1–5) (Original Soundtrack)''. The Pop Version by Japanese Breakfast was released on October 17. The Nicky's Version and the Agatha Through Time Version were released on October 31, as part of '' Songs from Agatha All Along (Episode 9)''. Nicky's, Agatha Through Time and Pop versions were released together on November 1, 2024, as part of '' Agatha All Along: Vol. 2 (Episodes 6–9) (Original Soundtrack)''. All eight versions of the song were featured on the side A of the soundtrack vinyl, '' Music from Agatha All Along'', released on October 30, 2024.

"True Crime Version"

The "True Crime Version" was featured in the first episode of ''Agatha All Along'' titled "Seekest Thou the Road". It was the theme song for the fictionalized crime noir television series titled ''Agnes of Westview'', in which the witch Agatha Harkness was trapped by Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch in the town of Westview, New Jersey, at the end of the miniseries ''WandaVision'' (2021).

"Sacred Chant Version"

The "Sacred Chant Version" was featured in the second episode of ''Agatha All Along'' titled " Circle Sewn with Fate / Unlock Thy Hidden Gate". It was sung by Harkness and her newly-recruited coven, during which Billy Maximoff unknowingly created the Witches' Road, accessible via a door in Agatha's basement in her home in Westview.

"Lorna Wu's Version"

The "Lorna Wu's Version" was featured in the fourth episode of ''Agatha All Along'' titled " If I Can't Reach You / Let My Song Teach You". It was sung by the character Lorna Wu, mother of Alice Wu-Gulliver, a member of Harkness' coven, and revealed to be a protection spell created by Wu to shield Wu-Gulliver from a generational curse.

"Cover Version"

The "Cover Version" was featured in "If I Can't Reach You / Let My Song Teach You". It was sung by Harkness' coven, during Wu-Gulliver's trial as a cover of Lorna Wu's version in the hopes of protecting themselves from the Wu family generational curse.

"Score Version"

The "Score Version" was featured in "Circle Sewn with Fate / Unlock Thy Hidden Gate" and was composed by Christophe Beck and Michael Paraskevas. The score plays in the final scene as the coven walks down the path of the Witches' Road after entering the door and narrowly escaping the Salem Seven.

"Nicky's Version"

The "Nicky's Version" was featured in the finale of ''Agatha All Along'' titled " Maiden Mother Crone". It was the initial version of the song, as developed by Harkness and her son Nicholas Scratch in the 1750s which started the legend of the Witches' Road.

"Agatha Through Time Version"

The "Agatha Through Time Version" was featured in "Maiden Mother Crone". It was the version of the song continued by Harkness after the death of her son, which she used to con other witches by leading them in singing the song as part of a ritual to open the door to the Witches' Road and proceeding to steal their powers, killing them in the process. Harkness eventually became the only known survivor of the fictional Witches' Road.

"Pop Version"

The "Pop Version", performed by Japanese Breakfast, was featured in the credits of "Maiden Mother Crone".

Chart performance

The Sacred Chant Version debuted at number twenty-two on the ''Billboard'' Digital Song Sales chart for the week of October 5, 2024.

Reception

Critical Response

"The Ballad of the Witches' Road" was widely praised for its narrative significance, emotional depth, and the unexpected plot twist surrounding its origin. ''Vulture''s Caroline Framke described the "Sacred Chant Version" as "an earworm of a song" that was "undeniably effective to juxtapose the coven’s singalong with the arrival of the shrouded Salem 7", but noted it was not "as meme-ably catchy" as " Agatha All Along". ''IGN'' critic Joshua Yehl called the "Cover Version" "wonderfully campy" and "great", and praised the lyrical elements that tied into Alice Wu-Gulliver's story. Writing for '' Tell-Tale TV'', Misael Duran found the "Agatha Through Time Version" to be a "major highlight" and "beautifully haunting", while '' The Ringer''s Daniel Chin praised the plot twist regarding the origins of the song.

Accolades

In 2025, "The Ballad of the Witches' Road (Sacred Chant Version)" won the Music Supervisors Guild Award for Best Song Written and/or Recorded for Television. The song was also nominated for a Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics, and a Dorian TV Award for Best TV Musical Performance.

References

External links

Listen to 'The Ballad of the Witches' Road' and More Music from 'Agatha All Along'
on Marvel.com ()
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Ballad of the Witches' Road, The
2020s ballads
2024 songs
Agatha All Along (miniseries)
Hollywood Records singles
Marvel Cinematic Universe songs
Songs about witches
Songs written by Kristen Anderson-Lopez
Songs written by Robert Lopez
Songs written for television series