To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go
To right the unrightable wrong
To love pure and chaste from afar
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable star
This is my quest to follow that star
No matter how hopeless, no matter how far
To fight for the right
Without question or pause
To be willing to march
Into hell for a heavenly cause
And I know if I’ll only be true
To this glorious quest
That my heart will lay peaceful and calm
When I’m laid to my rest
And the world will be better for this
That one man, scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To fight the unbeatable foe
To reach the unreachable star
Behind the Music: Meaning & Story
In John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, the use of Andy Williams’ cover of “The Impossible Dream” serves as a poignant and ironic thematic anchor. Originally from the 1965 musical Man of La Mancha, the song is synonymous with Don Quixote’s chivalrous but delusional quest. In the context of John Wick, it highlights the protagonist’s seemingly hopeless struggle against the global assassin guild known as the High Table.
Released in 2019 and directed by Chad Stahelski, the film finds Keanu Reeves as a “man scorned and covered with scars,” quite literally. The lyrics “to fight the unbeatable foe” mirror Wick’s relentless battle against an organization that has infinite resources. The song appears during a critical sequence that underscores the “impossible” nature of John’s journey for survival and peace. The cast, featuring Halle Berry, Laurence Fishburne, and Ian McShane, adds weight to this “glorious quest.”
While Frank Sinatra and many others have famously performed this track, the Andy Williams version provides a soaring, cinematic quality that elevates the film’s neo-noir atmosphere. It captures the paradox of John Wick: a man who wants to rest in peace (“When I’m laid to my rest”) but is forced to “march into hell” to earn it. This juxtaposition of a classic, sweeping ballad with visceral, modern action remains one of the most memorable musical choices in the entire series.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does ‘Parabellum’ mean in the title?
The title comes from the Latin phrase “Si vis pacem, para bellum,” which translates to: “If you want peace, prepare for war.” This theme is central to John’s character arc in the third film.
Who wrote the original version of ‘The Impossible Dream’?
The song was written by Mitch Leigh (music) and Joe Darion (lyrics) for the Broadway musical Man of La Mancha. It has since become a standard covered by hundreds of artists.
Are there other famous songs in the John Wick 3 soundtrack?
In addition to the Andy Williams track, the score is primarily composed by Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard. It also features a heavy industrial and electronic sound, including a remix of Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons.”
