Songs of our times that remind you of LOTR...

[THE Ka]

Well, just as a disclaimer, I have looked in the archives and i couldn't find another post like this. If you do find one you may link this one, i will not be offended just as long as you notify me first...

************************************************** ***************

Have you ever heard a song and thought, "Wow, I feel like i'm in Lothlorien or just in Middle Earth in general." or "This reminds of one battle on middle earth" or "This song reminds me of (some character)"? If you have, this is where you can post the song and share the sound of music! Just post the name of the song and if you want to, you may post the lyrics too for reference, then you can tell why this song makes you feel like you are in Tolkien's Middle Earth, and who, what, when, where, why of the lyrics.

You don't have to be too elaborate with this, it could be just a simple nursery ryme that makes you feel like your in middle earth. Also, it can be any type of music, it doesn't have to have lyrics but, the only thing you need is an explanation and name.

Okay! Let's start! Hope you find this an enjoyable activity! :)

~Musical Ka~

[Lachwen]

Well, let's see...how 'bout Led Zepplin's Stairway to Heaven? That's the most gorram Elvish song I've ever heard. I mean, consider these lines: There's a feeling I get when I look to the West / And my spirit is crying for leaving...

Continuing with this Led Zepplin line of thought, how many of you have ever really listened to The Battle of Evermore? If that song isn't about the Battle of the Pelennor, then I'm Mother Theresa. Consider the lyrics:

The Queen of Light took her bow (Queen of Light? Gee, who could that be...)
And then she turned to go
The Prince of Peace embraced the gloom
And walked the night alone (That sounds like a reference to Frodo if there ever was one)

Oh, dance in the dark of night
Sing to the morning light
The dark Lord rides in force tonight (Dark Lord? Sounds like Sauron to me)
And time will tell us all

Oh, throw down your plow and hoe
Rest not to lock your homes
Side by side we wait the night
Of the darkest of them all (This sounds like the Dawnless Day to me)

I hear the horses' thunder
Down in the valley below (Reference to the Rohirrim?)
I'm waiting for the angels of Avalon
Waiting for the eastern glow

The apples of the valley hold
The seas of happiness
The ground is rich from tender care
Repay, do not forget, no, no

Oh, dance in the dark of night
sing to the morning light
The apples turn to brown and black
The tyrant's face is red

Oh, war is the common cry
Pick up you swords and fly
The sky is filled with good and bad
That mortals never know

Oh, well, the night is long
The beads of time pass slow
Tired eyes on the sunrise
Waiting for the eastern glow

The pain of war cannot exceed
The woe of aftermath
The drums will shake the castle wall
The Ringwraiths ride in black, ride on (This one should be obvious!)

Sing as you raise your bow
Shoot straighter than before
No comfort has the fire at night
That lights the face so cold

Oh, dance in the dark of night
Sing to the mornin' light

The magic runes are writ in gold
To bring the balance back (Magic runes...like on Merry's sword?)
Bring it back

At last the sun is shining
The clouds of blue roll by
With flames from the dragon of darkness
The sunlight blinds his eyes...


Of course, I also think of the Battle of the Pelennor when I listen to Sonne by Rammstein...but then I'm a dork. :D

[mark12_30]

"magic runes writ in gold" refer perhaps to the One Ring? Although I never quite understood the intent of the line.

The old-timers discussed this for a few pages in The Coming of Age club... I'll hunt for the link.

[THE Ka]

Well, i'm a huge Depeshe Mode fan as much as I am a Collide (http://www.collide.net) fan, so i have to add a depeshe mode song...

Policy of Truth
You had something to hide
Should have hidden it, shouldn’t you
Now you’re not satisfied
With what you’re being put through

It’s just time to pay the price
For not listening to advice
And deciding in your youth
On the policy of truth

Things could be so different now
It used to be so civilised
You will always wonder how
It could have been if you’d only lied

It’s too late to change events
It’s time to face the consequence
For delivering the proof
In the policy of truth

Never again
Is what you swore
The time before
Never again
Is what you swore
The time before

Now you’re standing there tongue tied
You’d better learn your lesson well
Hide what you have to hide
And tell what you have to tell

You’ll see your problems multiplied
If you continually decide
To faithfully pursue
The policy of truth

Never again
Is what you swore
The time before
Never again
Is what you swore
The time before

In this song I always think of how the fellowship one by one, took an oath never realizing how important this little ritual would effect them later on. Especially Boromir, if you want an example. Another might be Aragorn, who was caught in the middle of two different journeys, and even though the other one might have seemed more high and mighty, he still kept his "Policy of Truth" to Frodo and the fellowship.

Hope you like.

~Ka~

P.S.: If you want to keep it easy, you can always post Blind Guardian songs... like Nightfall in Middle Earth. If you are into Power Metal ;)

[mark12_30]

The discussion began on post 383 of the 10th (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showthread.php?t=4672&page=10&pp=40) page of "The Tolkien Coming of Age Club ", first thread.

[Nimrodel_9]

Anything Enya. Especially "Pilgrim," "Only Time," and "Tears On My Heart.";)

[Morgul Queen]

'Behind Blue Eyes' - Limp Bizkit.

Is that not the perfect Gollum song?

[Elven-Maiden]

Rammstein reminds me a lot of the darker parts in LotR too. Every time I watch The Mists of Avalon, the music always reminds me of something that should be in the LotR.

This one will sound strange I'm sure, but anything by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra is always so powerful and moving that I can't help imagine Frodo, Aragorn and rest in battle.

[THE Ka]

Rammstein reminds me a lot of the darker parts in LotR too. Every time I watch The Mists of Avalon, the music always reminds me of something that should be in the LotR.

This one will sound strange I'm sure, but anything by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra is always so powerful and moving that I can't help imagine Frodo, Aragorn and rest in battle.

I love the mists of avalon! The book is so cool! but, Gwenhyfar always gets on my nerves! She's such a little brat! :mad: *Ka turns into Sauron and eye's it's copy of mists of avalon... My favorite characters are vivaine, merlin(Because we share same beliefs...) and raven (Her hair in the movie is awsome!!!). Morgaine is also interesting.

[Encaitare]

Of course, I also think of the Battle of the Pelennor when I listen to Sonne by Rammstein...but then I'm a dork.

Ooh, that's my favorite of their songs... that could actually work. Hmmm.

'Behind Blue Eyes' - Limp Bizkit.

Is that not the perfect Gollum song?

Yes, but let's not forget that the Who did it first (and better in my opinion, but whatever. It actually is a good cover). And it's a darn good Grima song too. I sometimes use a Grima icon with that written on it for my online journal.

Anything Enya. Especially "Pilgrim,"

That certainly could apply to Gandalf, being the Grey Pilgrim and all, and I also think it applies to Frodo and Aragorn, since they're all on a journey of sorts. Also, the song "Book of Days" makes me think of LotR. One reason is because it remainds me of "The Tale of Years" in Appendix B. Another, more prevalent reason, is something my dad told me when I was a kid. He loves to take music apart and talk about it, and one day he commented that "Book of Days" makes him think of galloping horses. So now, I always have that image in my mind when I hear the song, and it then makes me think of the Rohirrim or Shadowfax.

EDIT: Cross-posted with Ka, hence we make the same point about "Pilgrim"!

[THE Ka]

Anything Enya. Especially "Pilgrim," "Only Time," and "Tears On My Heart.";)

When ever i hear 'Pilgrim' i think of Gandalf. I wonder why... ;)
Plus Enya would remind anyone with lotr, she has a song called "Lothlorien" it's an instramental...


~Ka~

[Lachwen]

I just remembered another one...Gone Fishin' by Lynyrd Skynyrd reminds me (for obvious reasons) of Gollum. In fact, I have unofficially declared it to be his theme song. :)

[THE Ka]

I just remembered another one...Gone Fishin' by Lynyrd Skynyrd reminds me (for obvious reasons) of Gollum. In fact, I have unofficially declared it to be his theme song. :)

I love that song! mainly because fishing is a hobby and because Gollum and I are both Ichthyophagi... try to guess that little beauty!



~KA~

By the way, Potter Puppet Pals are awsome!!! "Let's bother snape! Bother, bother, bother!" :D

[Elven-Maiden]

A silly one is Leonard Nimoy singing The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins. It's so cute!

Ka, your avatar just reminded me of some old David Bowie songs. I've always imagined that when Elrond speaks, he sounds just like Bowie. Interestingly enough, that was before I found out that he auditioned for that very part in PJ's movies.

Within You from the Labyrinth soundtrack always makes me think of Gollum's yearning for the Ring. When Bowie and Trent Reznor did Hurt together I couldn't help thinking of Frodo's conflict with the Ring like a drug addiction. The Song of the Silent Age would be my theme for the hobbits if I were to chose a soundtrack for the books. :D

[Encaitare]

I love that song! mainly because fishing is a hobby and because Gollum and I are both Ichthyophagi... try to guess that little beauty!

Ai! What a complicated word! Fortunately, such things are no match for me and dictionary.com! I, myself, am not ichthyophagous, save for tuna. I find seafood a tad yucky.

By the way, Potter Puppet Pals are awsome!!! "Let's bother snape! Bother, bother, bother!"

It's a cornucopia of love! :D

[THE Ka]

Ai! What a complicated word! Fortunately, such things are no match for me and dictionary.com! I, myself, am not ichthyophagous, save for tuna. I find seafood a tad yucky.



It's a cornucopia of love! :D

Heh. Sorry to say, I had a teacher just like that... but they said a "universe" of love...

Yes, well, everyone to their own taste... *Ka throws Salmon, pink Salmon to be exact! And it's late in season so, it's mushy!

[Lachwen]

I love that song! mainly because fishing is a hobby and because Gollum and I are both Ichthyophagi... try to guess that little beauty!

Ha! I see you are cousin to my friend the osprey! (By the way...you are now my favorite person for being able to use the word "Ichthyophagi" in everyday conversation!) I, too, am ichthyophagous, given the oppor-tuna-ty. ;) :rolleyes: :p


That was fun!
I liked the part where he stopped moving!

[THE Ka]

As much as i would love to devote this thread to fish (Mmmm! fish!), i think i better add another song before the BW shuts it down...


Ok, another song...

Coin-Operated boy by: Dresden Dolls (http://www.dresdendolls.com/downloads_n_lyrics/lyrics/coinoperatedboy.htm) (they are “Brechtian Punk Cabaret")

Click on the link to find the lyrics

When ever i hear this song, i think of how saruman was sauron's "coin-operated boy"... Galadriel in the movie calls saruman "sauron's puppet" but, since saruman turned a leaf and became interested into greed, i think "coin-operated boy" sounds better... ;)

~ Piano Rock Ka~

[Lalwendë]

Very tempting thread....

I think, in addition there is another thread devoted to Led Zep and Tolkien. Without having to find it and post the link (as that's far too complicated a procedure for such as I), what I basically said there was that Robert Plant denied Stairway ever being about Tolkien's work. In the Zep book Hammer of the Gods it states that he was very much interested in fantasy and celtic literature around that time, as were many people, and as such, these influences came out in his lyrics. Though, I don't see how he could deny the influence of Lord of the Rings in songs such as Ramble On, which mentions Gollum and Mordor, and Misty Mountain Hop.

Anyway, what music makes me think of Middle Earth? Apart from classical music, which is not what was asked? Rather a lot of folk music does, particularly Fairport Convention. And Jethro Tull's more flowery moments (Bouree is real Hobbit music), or maybe a bit of Gabriel era Genesis (I'm thinking The Battle of Epping Forest). Although, all of the above may be for me associated with what a lot of fans seemed to be into when I first read the books! On a more modern scale, I often think of Dwarves and Mountains when I listen to Bjork, and my fave song right now (not Bjork) has the following line which is quite Middle Earth (even if the rest of the song is not) : your lonely voice calls across the starlit coast.

I would post links but I'm actually pugged into the media player right now...

Nothing wrong with Rammstein, Lachwen. ;)

[Firefoot]

There are a few. When I was reading the Hobbit for the first time, my favorite CD was by Joy Williams, and listening to that CD (haven't done that in a while) reminds me of the Hobbit, espcially the song Touch of Faith. I doubt many people are familiar with it, though.

I am dead serious with these next two, though they will certainly take some explaining: "The Church's One Foundation" (for any who are familiar with this hymn) and "Oh Christmas Tree," for very similar reasons. The tune of the former fits very well with the words to Boromir's riddle (Seek for the sword that was broken...), and so am reminded of such when I hear the song. The tune of the latter fits very well with the words to the Elves' song to Elbereth in "Many Meetings," though the ending doesn't fit quite right. I figured that out this morning.

A Elbereth Gilthoniel
silivren penna miriel
o menel aglar elenath!
Na-chaered plan-diriel
o galadhremmin ennorath,
Fanuilos, le linnathon
nef aear, si nef aearon!

Don't ask how I get these things. I don't know. :D ;)

[Lachwen]

The Welsh song The Ash Grove also reminds me of Middle-earth, though I'm not really sure why. I guess the plaintive way it was written makes me think of the Elves; how they eventually have to leave the woods and streams they love behind and sail into the West.

And didn't anyone notice that awful pun I made? I'm seriously proud of that... :cool:

[THE Ka]

This is yet another song from the famous Violator album...

When ever i hear "Blue Dress" , It makes me think of Sauron and how he has a way of "perswasion"... It also feels like Sauron-like voice is sending you subliminal messages :eek: ... go listen to it! Really! It freaked me out! Because, words are just not enough...
blue dress
Put it on
And don't say a word
Put it on
The one that I prefer
Put it on
And stand before my eyes
Put it on
Please don't question why

Can you believe
Something so simple
Something so trivial
Makes me a happy man
Can't you understand
Say you believe
Just how easy
It is to please me

Because when you learn
You'll know what makes the world turn

Put it on
I can feel so much
Put it on
I don't need to touch
Put it on
Here before my eyes
Put it on
Because you realise
And you believe

Something so worthless
Serves a purpose
It makes me a happy man
Can't you understand
Say you believe
Just how easy
It is to please me

Because when you learn
You'll know what makes the world turn


Freaky!

[Encaitare]

And didn't anyone notice that awful pun I made? I'm seriously proud of that... :cool:

You wanted someone to groan? Well, here you go, since no one else has... *groan*

Ka, those lyrics are eerily close to Sauron and the Ring!

[THE Ka]

Another tolkien inspired/related song...


Frozen from Collide's Chasing the Ghost album, reminds me oddly of the Arvari "The Unwilling".

I don't have the lyrics right now but, i've given out information if you want to find it.

Another reason might be that next to the Teleri,Noldor, the Avari are my favortie group of elves...even though little is known about them.


~Whimsical Ka~

[ninlaith]

I'm so glad everyone noticed somethign about alot of those songs. Like Led Zepplin's songs. Alot of them are meant to sound like they're from Middle-Earth because the artists love the stories. That's so cool. Anyway one song that especially reminds me of ME is Harry Connick Jr's version of Danny Boy. Whenever I listen to it it takes me to the Misty Mountains and the Shire. Especially the part that goes "Oh Danny Boy...the pipes the pipes are calling....from glen to glen and down the moutainside..." Ahh that song just completely just takes me away. Also old time singers like Judy Garland, Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, and Perry Como. Their talents were just so pure it reminds me of the way Elves or Hobbits would sing. Just pure and tonal no sythetics to their voices. It's so awesome. Like Bing Crosby's version of When Irish Eyes are Smiling. That one's really good too.

[Soronumë]

I'd say... Something in the song 'Kuolema tekee taiteilijan' by Nightwish makes me think of LotR. I don't know for sure what is it, but... I just get the feeling.

[Evisse the Blue]

Something in the song 'Kuolema tekee taiteilijan' by Nightwish makes me think of LotR. That's a lovely little song, indeed, very nostalgic and LOTR-ish. Of course, for me it may have to do with the fact that it's sung in Finnish which makes me ignorantly think of Elvish. Welcome to the Downs, Soronumë! :)

Speaking of Nightwish, what about 'Wishmaster'? This song was actually written as a tribute to Tolkien (and some other fantasy writer, that I have not heard of). Elbereth, Lorien, Grey Havens, my destiny - this should spell out Middle Earth to anybody. :p

[Soronumë]

yeah, that too is vry good example. :)
Just Nightwish is very LotR-ish. :D I'm proud that they're from Finland!

[THE Ka]

* Ka bows "AHHH!!! NIGHTWISH!!!"

Very wonderful reference!

I thought for awhile this thread was going to be controlled by Led Zepplin and Depeshe Mode...

... Not that they are bad or anything...

[Ainaserkewen]

Aha, the Ka, good thread.

Ninlaith you are so right...
Harry Connick Jr's version of Danny Boy. I don't know who Harry Connick is, but Danny Boy...definately. The same summer that someone used to sing the song I'm presenting, was the same year another friend performed Danny Boy with our band. It was beautiful, he go down on his knees and everything.

Move over Zeppi, it's time for some other pop princes.

Picture yourself in a boat on a river,
With tangerine trees and Marmalade skies,
Somebody calls you, you answer quite slowly,
A girl with Kaleidoscope eyes.

Celophane flowers of yellow and green,
towering over your head.
Look for the girl with the sun in her eyes
And she's gone.

Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,
Ah.

Follow her down to a bridge by a fountain,
Where rocking horse people eat marshmellow pies,
Everyone smiles as you drift past the flowers,
The grow so incredibly high.

...and so on. Of course, it's the Beatles: Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.

Why does this remind me of Middle-Earth? First off, I always think of either Melian or Luthien when I hear it and the stories of how they met their lovers. Also, in a strange kind of way, it reminds me of Middle-Earth because a good friend of mine used to sing it at the Piano, he's always been a hobbit to me (really short).

[Imrahil]

Led Zeppelin and Tolkien Relations Page (http://www.geocities.com/Athens/2406/)

Misty Mountain Hop - alludes to Misty Mountains
Over the Hills and Far Away - alludes to Misty Mountains
Ramble On - mentions "Mordor" and "Gollum"
The Battle of Evermore - Battle of Pelennor Field

[Elonve]

I have no idea why but Lorenna McKennitt reminds me of Aragorn. It is sung in a celtic-y type way too so it kinda reminds me of Middle Earth. Plus, its my favorite poem and my mother used to sing it to me when I was a wee lass, dad would take his gitaur out sometimes and play along... The things my parents did to get me to sleep!

The Highway Man

Words by Alfred Noyes,
Abridged by Loreena McKennitt
Music by Loreena McKennitt

The wind was a torrent of darkness among the gusty trees
The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon the cloudy seas
The road was a ribbon of moonlight over the purple moor
And the highwayman came riding,
Riding, riding,
The highwayman came riding, up to the old inn-door.

He'd a French cocked hat on his forehead, a bunch of lace at his chin,
A coat of claret velvet, and breeches of brown doe-skin;
They fitted with never a wrinkle; his boots were up to the thigh!
And he rode with a jewelled twinkle,
His pistol butts a-twinkle,
His rapier hilt a-twinkle, under the jewelled sky.

Over the cobbles he clattered and clashed in the dark innyard,
And he tapped with his whip on the shutters, but all was locked and barred;
He whistled a tune to the window, and who should be waiting there
But the landlord's black-eyed daughter,
Bess, the landlord's daughter,
Plaiting a dark red love-knot into her long black hair.

"One kiss, my bonny sweetheart, I'm after a prize tonight,
But I shall be back with the yellow gold before the morning light;
Yet if they press me sharply, and harry me through the day,
Then look for me by the moonlight,
Watch for me by the moonlight,
I'll come to thee by the moonlight, though hell should bar the way.

He rose upright in the stirrups; he scarce could reach her hand
But she loosened her hair i' the casement! His face burnt like a brand
As the black cascade of perfume came tumbling over his breast;
And he kissed its waves in the moonlight,
(Oh, sweet black waves in the moonlight!)
Then he tugged at his rein in the moonlight, and galloped away to the west.

He did not come at the dawning; he did not come at noon,
And out of the tawny sunset, before the rise o' the moon,
When the road was a gypsy's ribbon, looping the purple moor,
A red-coat troop came marching,
Marching, marching
King George's men came marching, up to the old inn-door.

They said no word to the landlord, they drank his ale instead,
But they gagged his daughter and bound her to the foot of her narrow bed;
Two of them knelt at the casement, with muskets at their side!
there was death at every window
and hell at one dark window;
For Bess could see, through the casement,
The road that he would ride.

They had tied her up to attention, with many a sniggering jest;
They had bound a musket beside her, with the barrel beneath her breast!
"now keep good watch!" And they kissed her.
She heard the dead man say
"Look for me by the moonlight
Watch for me by the moonlight
I'll come to thee by the moonlight, though hell should bar the way!"

She twisted her hands behind her, but all the knots held good!
She writhed her hands till her fingers were wet with sweat or blood!
They stretched and strained in the darkness and the hours crawled by like years!
Till, now, on the stroke of midnight,
Cold, on the stroke of midnight,
The tip of one finger touched it!
The trigger at least was hers!

Tlot-tlot! Had they heard it? The horse-hoofs were ringing clear
Tlot-tlot, in the distance! Were they deaf that they did not hear?
Down the ribbon of moonlight, over the brow of the hill,
The highwayman came riding,
Riding, riding!
The red-coats looked to their priming!
She stood up straight and still!

Tlot in the frosty silence! Tlot, in the echoing night!
Nearer he came and nearer! Her face was like a light!
Her eyes grew wide for a moment! She drew one last deep breath,
Then her finger moved in the moonlight,
Her musket shattered the moonlight,
Shattered her breast in the moonlight and warned him with her death.

He turned; he spurred to the west; he did not know she stood
bowed, with her head o'er the musket, drenched with her own red blood!
Not till the dawn he heard it; his face grew grey to hear
How Bess, the landlord's daughter,
The landlord's black-eyed daughter,
Had watched for her love in the moonlight, and died in the darkness there.

Back, he spurred like a madman, shrieking a curse to the sky
With the white road smoking behind him and his rapier brandished high!
Blood-red were the spurs i' the golden noon; wine-red was his velvet coat,
when they shot him down on the highway,
Down like a dog on the highway,
And he lay in his blood on the highway, with the bunch of lace at his throat.

Still of a winter's night, they say, when the wind is in the trees,
When the moon is a ghostly galleon, tossed upon the cloudy seas,
When the road is a ribbon of moonlight over the purple moor,
A highwayman comes riding,
Riding, riding,
A highwayman comes riding, up to the old inn-door.


Elly :smokin:
________
HARMED BY WELLBUTRIN (http://www.classactionsettlements.org/lawsuit/wellbutrin/)

[Bywaters]

Whenever I listen to "Look What You've Done" by Jet, the line:

"Take my photo off the wall
If it just won't sing for you"

I always think he is singing Frodo instead of photo.

Probably just me but have a listen and see what you think. (It creates a funny image! :) )

[Dûrbelethwen]

I know of a song that matchs the scence when Aragorn and Arwen meet again in Lothlorien. It comes from the Walt Disney cartoon version of Robin Hood. Around the song childhood sweethearts Robin Hood and Maid Marian had just reunited after she had been in London for some time:
Love it seems like only yesterday
You were just a child at play
Now your all grown up, inside of me
Oh how fast those moments flee
Once we watched a lazy world go by
Now the days seem to fly
Life is brief but when it's gone
Love Goes on and on.

Love will Live
Love will Last
Love goes on and on and on

Then it goes into musical interludes and repeating of parts of the lyric

[Tigerlily Gamgee]

Loreena McKennit... definitely!
A few songs in particular are "Full Circle" "The Two Trees" and "Dante's Prayer." I can't help but to think of Sam at the Grey Havens when I listen to "Dante's Prayer." That song is a tear jerker.

Here is a list of other musicians who remind me of LOTR:
~Secret Garden
~Aeone
~Lesiem
~David Arkenstone (who even has an album dedicated to Middle Earth)
~Clannad
~Moya Brennan
Other great albums are Celtic Circle 1 & 2, the Celtic Twilight Series, and Faire Celts

[THE Ka]

This song, for some reason, reminds me of Sam and Frodo's Friendship compared to other's in Lord of The Rings. 'Teacher', in this song either is Gandalf or Bilbo. 'Suzy Lee', is of course Sam...

We are going to be friends
by: Jack White

Fall is here, hear them yell
back to school, ring the bell
brand new shoes, walking blues
climb the fence, books and pens
I can tell that we’re going to be friends

Walk with me, Suzy Lee
through the park and by the tree
we will rest upon the ground
and look at all the bugs we found
then safely walk to school
without a sound

Well here we are, no one else
we walked to school all by ourselves
there’s dirt on our uniforms
from chasing all the ants and worms
we clean up and now its time to learn

Numbers, letters, learn to spell
nouns, and books, and show and tell
at playtime we will throw the ball
back to class, through the hall
teacher marks our height
against the wall

And we don’t notice any time pass
we don’t notice anything
we sit side by side in every class
teacher thinks that I sound funny
but she likes the way you sing

Tonight I’ll dream while in my bed
when silly thoughts go through my head
about the bugs and alphabet
and when I wake tomorrow I’ll bet
that you and I will walk together again
cause I can tell that we’re going to be friends

Hope you like, It's one of my ultimate favorites...

~ One man band Ka

[Lathriel]

Loreena Mckennit fits LOTR perfectly. I think any other celtic type of music goes well, or maybe even medieval music like Kapsberger (composer from the 1600's)
However, I generally like classical music with LOTR.
Enya is nice too.
I know this one song by Pilate called the travel song. Somehow I think it fits when the part in the book where the fellowship is traveling towards the misty mountians. Not really the words but just the mood that the song creates.

[Memory of Trees]

Loreena Mckennit fits LOTR perfectly. Absolutely!! "The Mummer's Dance" always makes me think of Lothlorien, for some reason.

- Everdark's "The Autumn Burning" lyrics remind me of the way the elves were driven away from ME by Saruman, particularly the "destroying" of Lothlorien.

- Evanescence - Forgive Me

Can you forgive me again?
I don't know what I said
But I didn't mean to hurt you

I heard the words come out
I felt like I would die
It hurt so much to hurt you

Then you look at me
You're not shouting anymore
You're silently broken

I'd give anything now
to kill those words for you

Each time I say something I regret I cry "I don't want to lose you."
But somehow I know that you will never leave me, yeah.

'Cause you were made for me
Somehow I'll make you see
How happy you make me

I can't live this life
Without you by my side
I need you to survive

So stay with me
You look in my eyes and I'm screaming inside that I'm sorry.

And you forgive me again
You're my one true friend
And I never meant to hurt you


Isn't that PERFECT for Sam and Frodo? It makes me cry... *goes to find a Kleenex*

[Elentari_Elbereth]

[QUOTE=Lathriel]Loreena Mckennit fits LOTR perfectly. I think any other celtic type of music goes well, or maybe even medieval music like Kapsberger (composer from the 1600's)
However, I generally like classical music with LOTR.
QUOTE]

I absolutely agree!! Loreena Mckennit is one of my favorites! I also like the the celtic band Eden's Bridge. Generally, I say any music with medieval instruments or celtic flutes.
Orchestrated classical music gets me too.

There's an obscure band called Gandalf, but the lyrics seem depressing and unrelated to Tolkien from what I read.

[Lathriel]

I know the band Gandalf. I have a really neat cassette of my mam's that completely fits LOTR. Its called visions (1981)and there are several titles that are DEFINITLY related to LOTR.
They are...Magician's theme (Gandalf ?)
The Keeper of the Old Forest (Old forest and Old man willow)
Strange Mountain scenes (Misty Mountains)
Mysterious creatures gathering at the gates of darkness (The black gate)
After the Evil is defeated (Free Poeple of ME victorious)
The ships of the Immortal( Elves leaving ME)

[Elentari_Elbereth]

They are...Magician's theme (Gandalf ?)
The Keeper of the Old Forest (Old forest and Old man willow)
Strange Mountain scenes (Misty Mountains)
Mysterious creatures gathering at the gates of darkness (The black gate)
After the Evil is defeated (Free Poeple of ME victorious)
The ships of the Immortal( Elves leaving ME)

Wow! I would like to hear those songs!

Come to think of it, There's even a music from a Game that reminds me of LotR (beides that the game also does)
From the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, there's a forest themed temple/level with beautiful music. it always reminded me think of Lothlorien for some reason. it has a mysterious elven sound to it.

'Tis very odd indeed..

[Tigerlily Gamgee]

Okay, I must post the lyrics to "Dante's Prayer" by Loreena McKennitt, and if you haven't heard it, then hie thee to a music store (or iTunes) and listen to it... but have tissues handy.


When the dark wood fell before me
And all the paths were overgrown
When the priests of pride say there is no other way
I tiled the sorrows of stone

I did not believe because I could not see
Thought you came to me in the night
When the dawn seemed forever lost
You showed me your love in the light of the stars

(chorus)Cast your eyes on the ocean
Cast your soul to the sea
When the dark night seems endless
Please remember me

Then the mountain rose before me
By the deep well of desire
From the fountain of forgiveness
Beyond the ice and the fire

(chorus)

Though we share this humble path, alone
How fragile is the heart
Oh give these clay feet wings to fly
To touch the face of the stars

(chorus)

Breathe life into this feeble heart
Life this mortal veil of fear
Take these crumbled hopes, etched with tears
We've rise above Earthly cares

(chorus)
Please remember me... please remember me (repeats until fully faded)

[Elonve]

Okay how about Truly, Madly, Deeply by Savage Garden? I can imagine Aragorn & Arwen, and Legolas & Gimli singing this to each other...

And Strawberry Feilds forever by the Beatles when Frodo and Sam meet Pipin and Merry I think of this song!

Has anyone played Baulders Gate II: Shadows of Amn? The music totally sounds like its outta LotR!

Cheers y'all

Elonve :D :rolleyes: :p

(ps; great topic THE ka!)
________
Hemp marijuana (http://marijuanahemp.com)

[THE Ka]

Has anyone played Baulders Gate II: Shadows of Amn? The music totally sounds like its outta LotR!


I haven't, but from my brother's continous ranting about how he loves this game, and that he almost blew out my subwoofer (He paid dearly for that :mad: ) with it's music, I can agree with yous.

And thank you for the complement. They are wonderful. Truely, they make a day more sweeter and full of more of those wonderful feelings you have in the bottom of your stomach when you are on a roller coaster.

~ Remember! Ka

[THE Ka]

Just was listening to Morrissey today, and I came across this song. It reminds me a lot of Sam and Frodo...


It's called Moon River. Lovely song... it is actually a variation of Jonny Mercer and Henri Mancini's (http://www.thefairestlady.com/audrey/moonriver.html) great.


Moonriver
Wider than a mile
I'll be crossing you in style
Someday
Oh, Dreammaker
You heartbreaker
Wherever you're going
I'm going your way
Two drifters
Off to see the world
I'm not so sure the world
Deserves us
We're after
The same rainbow's end
How come it's just around the bend ?
It's always just around the bend ?
Moonriver
Wider than a mile
I'll be crossing you in style
Someday Oh, Dreammaker
You heartbreaker
Wherever you're going
I'm going your way
Two drifters
Off to see the world
I'm not so sure the world
Deserves us
We're after
The same rainbow's end
It's just around the bend
It's just around the bend
It's just around the bend
It's just around the bend

Lovely song? It's so beautiful if you people could here it, any version.


~ Ka

[Folwren]

Originally posted by Memory of Trees
Absolutely!! "The Mummer's Dance" always makes me think of Lothlorien, for some reason....

- Evanescence - Forgive Me...

Isn't that PERFECT for Sam and Frodo? It makes me cry... *goes to find a Kleenex*

Those lyrics were beautiful, and yes...it does remind me of Frodo and Sam. *sniff*

Loreena McKennit's song 'The Old Ways' is one that reminds me of The Grey Havens. :(

And like many other people who have already said so on this thread, I think that many of her songs remind me of ME.

[FairLadyGoldberry]

The band Gatsbys American Dream makes references to Lord of the Rings. Two of their song titles are "Where Shadows Lie" and "A Mind of Metal and Wheels." On their website it states that their songs are "Filled with literary references ranging from Jurassic Park and The Lord Of The Rings trilogy to Interview With A Vampire and The Lord Of The Flies" as well as, obviously, The Great Gatsby.

Their music is more of a rock-ish, punk kind of sound, which I am quite partial to. And the fact that they include references to great literature, especially LOTR, is wonderful. :D

[THE Ka]

The band Gatsbys American Dream makes references to Lord of the Rings. Two of their song titles are "Where Shadows Lie" and "A Mind of Metal and Wheels." On their website it states that their songs are "Filled with literary references ranging from Jurassic Park and The Lord Of The Rings trilogy to Interview With A Vampire and The Lord Of The Flies" as well as, obviously, The Great Gatsby.

Their music is more of a rock-ish, punk kind of sound, which I am quite partial too. And the fact that they include references to great literature, especially LOTR, is wonderful. :D


Ah, yes, wonderful! Interview with the vampire! the first and last Anne Rice book turned into a movie that was co-directed by her as well!

Sounds really cool, I might have to check these musical guru's out...

~ Ka

[Joy]

Last night, as I was re-reading the Chapter "Lothloríen" I came across Legolas's reciting of Nimrodel. The whole time I was reading this, I could not but help think of "Unchained Melody" by The Righteous Brothers.

Maybe it's the part, "Lonely rivers flow
To the sea, to the sea To the open arms of the sea. Lonely rivers sigh Wait for me, wait for me I'll be coming home Wait for me."

It just seems that both have a finality and a sense of doom to them. Unrequited love longing for the one they cannot reach.


Endless Sleep" is more like the story of Beren and Lùthien.
Hey, at least "Endless Sleep" ends better.


Unchained Melody

Oh, my love, my darling, I've hungered for your touch a long, lonely time.
Time goes by so slowly and time can do so much, Are You Still Mine?
I need your love, I need your love, God speed your love to me!
Lonely rivers flow to the sea, to the sea, To the open arms of the sea.
Lonely rivers sigh, "Wait for me, wait for me!" I'll be coming home, wait for me!
Oh, my love, my darling, I've hungered for your touch a long, lonely time
Time goes by so slowly and time can do so much, Are You Still Mine?
I need your love, I need your love, God speed your love to me!
Lonely mountains gaze at the stars, at the stars, Waiting for the dawn of the day.
All alone, I gaze at the stars, at the stars, Dreaming of my love for away.
Oh, my love, my darling, I've hungered for your touch a long, lonely time.
Time goes by so slowly and time can do so much, Are You Still Mine?


Endless Sleep

The night was black rain fallin' down
I looked my baby she's no where aroun'
Chased her footsteps down to the shore
Afraid she's gone for ever more

Well I looked at the sea, seemed to say
I took your baby from you away
I heard a voice cry in the deep
Come join me baby in my endless sleep

Why did we quarrel why did we fight
Why did I leave her alone last night
That's why her foot steps ran down to the sea
That's wy my baby has gone from me

Well I looked at the sea seemed to say
I took your baby from you away
Well I heard a voice cry in the deep
Come join me baby in my endless sleep
Endless sleep

Out in the water heart full of fear
There in the breaker I saw her near
Reached for my darlin' held her to me
Dragged her away from the angry sea

Well I looked at the sea seemed to say
I took your baby from you away
I heard a voice cryin' in the deep
I took your baby from the endless sleep
I grabbed my baby from the endless sleep

I have been listening to Enya for the past few days. There are two of her songs on the Watermark Album tghat so reminds me of the Elves (maybe even Frodo).

One is Exile -- this one more reminds me of the Elves
Cold as the northern winds
In December mornings,
Cold is the cry that rings
From this far distant shore.

Winter has come too late
Too close beside me.
How can I chase away
All these fears deep inside?

Chorus:
I'll wait the signs to come.
I'll find a way
I will wait the time to come.
I'll find a way home.

My light shall be the moon
And my path - the ocean.
My guide the morning star
As I sail home to you.

Chorus

Who then can warm my soul?
Who can quell my passion?
Out of these dreams - a boat
I will sail home to you.

The other is Evening Falls -- I think this reminds me of Frodo and his dreams at the House of Tom Bombadil - also a bit of the sadness that is in the poem "The Sea Bell by Tolkien".


When the evening falls
And the daylight is fading,
From within me calls
Could it be I am sleeping?
For a moment I stray,
Then it holds me completely
Close to home - I cannot say
Close to home feeling so far away

As I walk the room there before me a shadow
From another world, where no other can follow
Carry me to my own, to where I can cross over
Close to home - I cannot say
Close to home feeling so far away

Forever searching; never right,
I am lost in oceans of night.
Forever hoping I can find memories
Those memories I left behind

Even though I leave will I go on believing
That this time is real - am I lost in this feeling?
Like a child passing through,
Never knowing the reason
I am home - I know the way
I am home - feeling oh, so far away

Here is another from the same CD - On Your Shore
Strange how my heart beats
To find myself upon your shore.
Strange how I still feel
My loss of comfort gone before.

Cool waves wash over
And drift away with dreams of youth
So time is stolen
I cannot hold you long enough.

And so this is where I should be now
Days and nights falling by
Days and nights falling by me.
I know of a dream I should be holding
Days and nights falling by
Days and nights falling by me.

Soft blue horizons
Reach far into my childhood days
As you are rising
To bring me my forgotten ways.

Strange how I falter
To find I'm standing in deep water
Strange how my heart beats
To find I'm standing on your shore.

Very sad and Elvish

[Mithalwen]

This is very schmaltzy but it does make me think of Arwen particularly.

Right Here Waiting For You
Richard Marx

Oceans apart day after day
And I slowly go insane
I hear your voice on the line
But it doesn't stop the pain

If I see you next to never
How can we say forever

Wherever you go
Whatever you do
I will be right here waiting for you
Whatever it takes
Or how my heart breaks
I will be right here waiting for you

I took for granted, all the times
That I thought would last somehow
I hear the laughter, I taste the tears
But I can't get near you now

....
Wherever you go
Whatever you do
I will be right here waiting for you
Whatever it takes
Or how my heart breaks
I will be right here waiting for you

I wonder how we can survive
This romance
But in the end if I'm with you
I'll take the chance

Wherever you go
Whatever you do
I will be right here waiting for you
Whatever it takes
Or how my heart breaks
I will be right here waiting for you
Waiting for you

[mark12_30]

Halfhearted apologies to Orlando Bloom. No apologies whatsoever to Van Morrison.



Hey where did we go
Days when the dwarves came
Down in the valley
Singing a new game
Laughing at the longbeards, hey, hey
Joking with the hobbit
Under the midsummer stars with
Our harps a-twanging and you,
my Brown-Eyed Elf.
You, my Brown-Eyed Elf.

Do you remember when
We used to sing
Tra-la-la-la-la-lally La-La Fa La

Whatever happened
To Turnkey and Butler so drunk
Sleeping in the dungeon while
Full barrels rolled and rolled
We sent them on their way
Through black water dark and cold
Wondering why they floated so low
We sent them rolling, me and you
My Brown-Eyed Elf.
You, my Brown-Eyed Elf.

Do you remember when
We used to sing
Roll-Roll-Roll-Roll-Roll-Roll-Roll Rolling Down the hole


So hard to find good wine
Now that I'm all on my own
I saw you just the other day
Now even your hair is brown
Climbing all our favorite old trees
Sometimes I'm overcome laughing 'bout it
Rolling thirteen dwarves in barrels
Downstream to Laketown, me and
You, my Brown-Eyed elf
You, my Brown-Eyed Elf.

Do you remember when
We used to sing
Tra-La-La-La-La-La-La-Lally Fa-La-La La

[Joy]

I love that Mark!! I wish I could parody some songs - I am not creative enough!

[mark12_30]

There's a whole subculture... it's called Filk... my sister, Helva Peters, won great reknown as a minstrel in their ranks. I only dabble once in a while.

That one was calling me though! Of course Legolas was not present during Bilbo's midsummer Tra-La-La-Lally. More's the pity. But I suppose, given the choice between laughing at dwarves or rolling them into a stream-- in the end any self-respecting wood-elf would have chosen the latter.

Heave ho! Splash plump! Down they go, down they bump!

[LadyLúthien]

I think, in addition there is another thread devoted to Led Zep and Tolkien. Without having to find it and post the link (as that's far too complicated a procedure for such as I), what I basically said there was that Robert Plant denied Stairway ever being about Tolkien's work. In the Zep book Hammer of the Gods it states that he was very much interested in fantasy and celtic literature around that time, as were many people, and as such, these influences came out in his lyrics. Though, I don't see how he could deny the influence of Lord of the Rings in songs such as Ramble On, which mentions Gollum and Mordor, and Misty Mountain Hop.

I also heard that Robert Plant denied that STH was about Tolkien's work. But somehow I think that maybe it had a little teeny influence...

Led Zeppelin and Tolkien Relations Page

Misty Mountain Hop - alludes to Misty Mountains
Over the Hills and Far Away - alludes to Misty Mountains
Ramble On - mentions "Mordor" and "Gollum"
The Battle of Evermore - Battle of Pelennor Field

That's an awesome link, and I was going to mention the song 'Ramble On', but you got to it first. (Most likely because you were a member before me.. ;) )

- Evanescence - Forgive Me

A lot of songs from Evanescence's 'Origin' CD reminds me of something about Middle-earth.

[Maladuialion]

I'd have to say:

Planxty Noel Hill by The Pogues (very hobbity)
Sgt MacKenzie by Joseph Kilna MacKenzie
I'll Go With You from the We Were Soldiers soundtrack
Streets of London by Ralph McTell aswell

[Encaitare]

Nightwish's "Away" has a sort of sad elvish feel to it:

The days were brighter
Gardens more blooming
The nights had more hope
In their silence
The wild was calling
Wishes were whispering
The time was there
But without a meaning

Away, away in time
Every dream´s a journey away
Away to a home away from care
Everywhere´s just a journey away

The days departed
Gardens deserted
This frail world
My only rest ?

The wild calls no more
Wishes so hollow
The Barefoot Boy
weeping in an empty night

Away, away in time
Every dream´s a journey away
Away to a home away from care
Everywhere´s just a journey away

Cherish the moment
Tower the skies
Don´t let the dreamer
fade to grey like grass

No falling for life
A gain for every loss
Time gathered me
But kept me flying

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

The Icelandic band Sigur Rós make the most Elvish music I know.

Also I've recently become more aware of the plethora of metal bands who reference Tolkien. There's Isengard and Gorgoroth, and just the other day I got a free CD with a track by a band called Battle Lore called 'Troll Shaws'. :D

That whole Battle Metal genre is just mad.

There's a Scots band called Belle & Sebastian, who recount a discussion about The Lord of the Rings in the inlay of one of their albums. They were asking which towers were the Two Towers (interestingly, they only mentioned four of them and left out the tower I always argue for: Cirith Ungol :rolleyes: ;) ).

[mark12_30]

The Icelandic band Sigur Rós make the most Elvish music I know.

Eomer, a post like that sends me scrambling to Amazon for samples-- but I must have chosen the wrong samples. I don't understand why you hear elves in their music from the samples I chose; so-- Hint me here! Which songs/ albums are you referring to? And what about them strikes you as elvish/ elvishness?

[Lalwendë]

There's a Scots band called Belle & Sebastian, who recount a discussion about The Lord of the Rings in the inlay of one of their albums.

Which album? I've not seen that - mind you, I gave up on looking at album sleeve notes when they stopped doing vinyl as it just lost all the excitement. :(

[Bêthberry]

Which album? I've not seen that - mind you, I gave up on looking at album sleeve notes when they stopped doing vinyl as it just lost all the excitement. :(


It's on the Dear Catastrophe Waitress CD. I call such comments "liner notes" but then I go back to vinyl. They are signed "Stuart" and dated 21st July '03.


The subject moves around the 'The Two Towers.'

"I mean, what were the Two Towers anyway? In the film it makes out they were Saruman's bit and Sauron's bit. I always thought it was meant to be Minas Tirith and Minas Morgul."

I kind of agree with him. That would make the most poetic sense. There are four towers to choose from though. Orthanc, Morgul, Tirith and Garad-Dur.

"I'm surprised Tolkien didn't give the Hobbits a tower as well."

Well they had a sort of mound.

They (sic) are twelve ways you can pick two towers from four, right? Pick one from four and then one from the remaining. Three times four is twelve....I got to get out more. But I am out! Maybe I've got to stay in.

I wouldn't put too much stock in that as the notes are all a bit random really. Maybe just a bit like the attitude of some here. ;) Scotch that. It's all random. I was told where to hang if I wanted to meet them when I was in Glasgow. But I saw them here. Great performance, fun, whimsical, entertaining, interactive. Nothing about Tolkien there unless you'd want to consider the performance a bit Hobbitish.



I don't understand why you hear elves in their music from the samples I chose; so-- Hint me here! Which songs/ albums are you referring to? And what about them strikes you as elvish/ elvishness?

I won't answer for Eomer but I certainly hear the elves in Siggur Ros' CD ( ). It is first of all very emotionally evocative music. But I hear plaintive longing for times past all wrapped up with keening about a poignant loss that is about to come. Maybe it's something circum-polar, to do with the midnight sun and lightless days.

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

Bêthberry's post has made my reply quite redundant. ;)

It's true that there's nothing Tolkien-esque about Belle & Sebastian. The Two Towers bit made me laugh, though.

And yes, as regards Sigur Rós, I am chiefly thinking of the albums () and Ágætis byrjun. I think the music is quite otherworldly and more beautiful than anything I've ever heard. About the Elvish comment; I'm not actually too fond of the music that the films used for the Elves. I think it's hard to find the criticism, but it seems as though they were trying too hard to 'put it on', if you see what I mean. It seemed a bit fake, just a little bit tiresome. Sigur Ros make me 'see' Elves, whereas the Elves' theme in the movies just makes me think of Liv Tyler. ;)

Ba ba ti ki di do is less Elvish and I have not heard Von.

[Glirdan]

Here's one:

White Flag
Dido

I know you think that I shouldn't still love you,
Or tell you that.
But if I didn't say it, well I'd still have felt it
where's the sense in that?

I promise I'm not trying to make your life harder
Or return to where we were

I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be

I know I left too much mess and
destruction to come back again
And I caused nothing but trouble
I understand if you can't talk to me again
And if you live by the rules of "it's over"
then I'm sure that that makes sense

I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be

And when we meet
Which I'm sure we will
All that was there
Will be there still
I'll let it pass
And hold my tongue
And you will think
That I've moved on....

I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be

I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be

I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be

Every time I hear this song, I picture Aragorn coming up the Anduin in the corsair boats unfurling the standard of Arwen. And then it makes me think of them and their love. I realllllllllllly like this song because it reminds me of LotR. There's another one that reminds me of LotR, I forget which one though.

[Nuranar]

Mary Fahl's "Going Home" makes me think of Sam - well, of all the hobbits - and their love for the Shire, but not only of them. Of anyone, really, who loves his home and the land, anyone who's had to wander and follow that road to lands far away.

Going Home - Gods and Generals

They say there’s a place
where dreams have all gone
They never said where
but I think I know
It’s miles through the night
just over the dawn
on the road that will take me home

I know in my bones
I’ve been here before
The ground feels the same
though the land’s been torn
I’ve a long way to go
The stars tell me so
on this road that will take me home

Love waits for me ‘round the bend
Leads me endlessly on
Surely sorrows shall find their end
and all our troubles will be gone
And I’ll know what I’ve lost
and all that I’ve won
when the road finally takes me home

And when I pass by
don’t lead me astray
Don’t try to stop me
Don’t stand in my way
I’m bound for the hills
where cool waters flow
on this road that will take me home

Love waits for me ‘round the bend
Leads me endlessly on
Surely sorrows shall find their end
and all our troubles will be gone
And we’ll know what we’ve lost
and all that we’ve won
when this road finally takes me home

I’m going home
I’m going home
I’m going home

It's from the movie "Gods and Generals," interestingly enough. You can listen to it here. (http://www.sonyclassical.com/music/87891/main.html) It honestly took me a long time to get used to it... but it has really, really grown on me. "Surely sorrows will find their end... we'll know what I've lost and all that we've won when the road finally takes me home..." The melody is lovely. It's mournful and sad, almost bittersweet - but the sweet outweighs the bitter. It's as if the healing has begun.

[Holbytlass]

You don't have to be too elaborate with this, it could be just a simple nursery ryme that makes you feel like your in middle earth. ~Musical Ka~
The most obvious for me is "Hey Diddle, Diddle" when Tolkien cleverly makes it much longer and more adult-ish and puts in that line "Only a few words of it are now, as a rule, remembered". How brilliant to tie in 'fantasy-history' and real-present.

[Knight of Gondor]

I know of a song that matchs the scence when Aragorn and Arwen meet again in Lothlorien. It comes from the Walt Disney cartoon version of Robin Hood. Around the song childhood sweethearts Robin Hood and Maid Marian had just reunited after she had been in London for some time:
Love it seems like only yesterday
You were just a child at play
Now your all grown up, inside of me
Oh how fast those moments flee
Once we watched a lazy world go by
Now the days seem to fly
Life is brief but when it's gone
Love Goes on and on.

Love will Live
Love will Last
Love goes on and on and on

Then it goes into musical interludes and repeating of parts of the lyric


Yeah, that does ring true! The song I think of is a song by Jaci Velasquez, whom I'm normally not a fan of. I'm searching for the lyrics now, but she sang a song called "Take Me Back To You" about returning to the days of innocence in childhood when God watched over her. It reminds me so much of the Cottage of Lost Play in the Books of Lost Tales. Somehow, it also reminds me of my own childhood...particularly in my parents' bedroom when the whispy blue curtains were gently blowing in the cool spring breeze. I cannot find lyrics. But the song goes something like this. Oh wait, here they are!

Lord, I'm in the dark,
Seems to me the line is dead when I come calling.
No one there, the sky is falling;

Lord, I need to know.
My mind is playing games again,
You're right where You have always been.

Take me back to You,
The place that I once knew as a little child;
Constantly the eyes of God watched over me.
Oh, I want to be
In the place that I once knew as a little child,
Fall into the bed of faith prepared for me.

I will rest in You,
I will rest in You,
I will rest in You.

Tell me I'm a fool,
Tell me that You love me for the fool I am,
[And*] comfort me like only You can,
And tell me there's a place
Where I can feel Your breath
Like sweet caresses on my face again.

Take me back to You,
The place that I once knew as a little child;
Constantly the eyes of God watched over me.
Oh, I want to be
In the place that I once knew as a little child,
Fall into the bed of faith prepared for me.

I will rest in You,
I will rest in You,
I will rest in You.

*Snips out a few la-la-la's and repeats*

Take me back to You.
The place that I once knew as a little child;
Constantly the eyes of God watched over me
Oh, I want to be
In the place that I once knew as a little child,
Fall into the bed of faith prepared for me.

I will rest in You,
I will rest in You,
I will rest in You.

You have to understand, unless you've heard the song, you probably won't feel what it made me feel.

[Knight of Gondor]

I neglected to mention another song with more national (perhaps international) recognition which reminds me of the tales and concepts of sailing beyond the world's end, to the white shores beyond the seas, and of the voyage of Earendil, or the longing put in the hearts of men by Iluvatar. The song is George Strait's "You'll Be There."

Hope is an anchor, and love is a ship
Time is the ocean and life is a trip
You don't know where you're going
Til you know where you're at
And if you can't read the stars
Well you better have a map
A compass and a conscience
so you don't get lost at sea
Around some lonely island, no one wants to be

From the beginning of creation, I think our maker had plan
For us to leave these shores and sail beyond the sand
And let the good light guide to the waves and the wind
To the beaches and a world where have never been
And we'll climb upon a mountain, y'all we'll let our voices ring
Those who've never tried they'll be the first to sing

CHORUS:
Woah My My
I'll see you on the other side
If I make it
And it might be a long hard ride
But I'm gonna take it
Sometimes it seems I don't have a prayer
Let the weather take me anywhere
But I know I wanna go
Where the streets are gold
Cause you'll be there

Oh my my

You don't bring nothing with you here
And you can't take nothing back
I ain't never seen a hearse, with a luggage rack
So I've torn my knees from praying
Scarred my back from falling down
Spent so much time flying high, til I'm face first in the ground
So if you're up there watching me, can you talk to God and say,
Tell him I might need a hand to see a boat someday

Repeat Chorus

Cause you'll be there

Oh my my


Try clicking for a sample here:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/clipserve/B0009GX23W001004/0/002-5900751-4383223

Or if that doesn't work, you can visit Amazon.com's page and listen to a sample: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0009GX23W/qid=1126013417/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-5900751-4383223?v=glance&s=music&n=507846

[Dimcollowen]

well i can't name any specific songs but there is this one band called "Flogging Molly," they are sort of a punk-rock-alternative Irish band, all of there songs seem to remind of Middle Earth. Its strange I'll be sitting there like reading and one there songs will come on and right away I start thinkging of Middle Earth! everytime!

[THE Ka]

The most obvious for me is "Hey Diddle, Diddle" when Tolkien cleverly makes it much longer and more adult-ish and puts in that line "Only a few words of it are now, as a rule, remembered". How brilliant to tie in 'fantasy-history' and real-present.


I really agree, I was surprised when I saw that in the book for the first time. Especially when the 'cow' part was so playfully and masterfully included as well. It makes you believe how much of an Orpheus Tolkien was.


~ Aesthete

[Thinlómien]

Here's one:

White Flag
Dido
I like the song very much. It reminds me of LotR, but only because I tried to make a filk of it :p The chorus was something like this:
"I will be bold and resist
I won't put my sword down and surrender
There will be no red eye in my flag
'cos I am free and always will be."
Not very good but making it was funny...

Laibach (especially album Kapital) is very mordorish. Or the sound at least. I can't say about the words since I don't know any german.
And I agree that Nightwish is very Lotrish... (and damn good; I'm also proud that they're from Finland :D )

[doug*platypus]

White Flag by Dido

Every time I hear this song, I picture Aragorn coming up the Anduin in the corsair boats unfurling the standard of Arwen.

Excellent stuff, Glirdan! I love that song, and am happy you have found another dimension to it. It fits in nicely with Aragorn and his never give up attitude!

Whilst there aren't any songs I have heard that remind me of LOTR, aside from something obvious like Ramble On by Led Zep, I think that part of After the Gold Rush by Neil Young espouses the longing for the romance of medieval stories which is largely responsible for my love of Tolkien's stories:

Well I dreamed I saw the knights in armour coming
saying something about a queen
there were peasants singing
and drummers drumming
and the archer split the tree
there was a fanfare blowing to the sun
that was floating on the breeze

I also must mention May it Be by Enya. I know it was made specifically for the FOTR movie, but it just captures the essence of Frodo and his plight so beautifully. It is totally LOTR, and I hazard a guess that even Tolkien himself would have been happy with that song.

[Kath]

There is a song called King Of The Mountain by Kate Bush that, for me, really reminds me of that scene in the Hobbit when all the Dwarves get their instruments out and play the song about going and freeing the Lonely Mountain. I would post the lyrics but that it's not those that remind me, it's the music, and that one line 'king of the mountain', which I continually mishear as 'king under the mountain'.

[The Saucepan Man]

There is a song called King Of The Mountain by Kate Bush that, for me, really reminds me of that scene in the Hobbit when all the Dwarves get their instruments out and play the song about going and freeing the Lonely Mountain.Great song and great album (although we Kate Bush fans have waited long enough for it ... :rolleyes: ).

I would most definately agree that the song has a distinct Middle-earth feel to it. Indeed, much of Kate Bush's music does. Perhaps it's the Celtic influence.

[Maikadilwen]

One song which has often made me think of ME is Two Horizons by Moya Brennan. Tara itself is the seat of the kings of old and it's not far out for me to add some first age elves onto that. The song is so beautiful and so sad at the same time.


"Hard to believe when the heart is so broken
Storms in the valley hide words never spoken

I hear the sounds
Two horizons sing
The harp that once through Tara

Silver moon stands when the morning is rising
Chasing the wind to the crystal horizon
Hard to believe when the signs are uncertain
Courage be born then our world will stop hurting

I hear the sounds
Two horizons sing
Two horizons burn
The harp that once through Tara"

[ninja91]

The Battle of Evermore by Led Zeppelin of course.

[Thinlómien]

I would most definately agree that the song has a distinct Middle-earth feel to it. Indeed, much of Kate Bush's music does.Night scented Stock from Never for Ever always makes me think of Grey Havens, and you'd better not ask why, because it's just a feeling...

[Lalwendë]

The Battle of Evermore of course.

The amusing thing is that Plant and Page totally deny that they were influenced by Tolkien when writing their lyrics (see Hammer Of The Gods, definitive Zep bio), but the evidence against them is a bit heavy. The Battle of Evermore mentions Ringwraiths, Ramble On mentions Gollum and Misty Mountain Hop is self-explanatory. The fact that Jimmy Page at this stage used to go on stage dressed as a wizard only adds to it all.
:D

Hmm, I have some more to add to the list of music. If you like The Battle of Evermore how about Fairport Convention's album Liege And Leaf? Sandy Denny who sings on 'Battle..' was the late singer for Fairport. A lot of the old late 60s/early 70s acid folk songs make me think of Tolkien; Vashti Bunyan's album Just Another Diamond Day is Hobbit music - simple, delicate and whimsical. Then finally there's Kate Rusby's Underneath The Stars - beautiful...

Oh, and if you want something to remind you of something darker in Tolkien's work, the very scary Come To Daddy by Aphex Twin always makes me think of the scene where the Witch-king threatens to take Eowyn off to the Houses of Lamentation. Brrrr! :eek:

[Macalaure]

Now that the dark side is mentioned, Nine Inch Nails' "The Becoming" (http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/nineinchnails/thebecoming.html) reminds me of the emergence of the Nazgûl (that we know so outrageously few of).
It's a very cold and brutal song about a person who feels that he himself is taken over by something else. The last two lines of the lyrics are repeated several times and in two voices thus adding to that feeling of schizophrenia I connect with the Ringwraiths in their earliest condition.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

If I had to say which reminds me about the LotR, it would be also few ones from Led Zeppelin, but not Battle of Evermore (although it fits in there and it surprised me when I first heard it some time later). Btw I really don't think BoE refers just to Middle-Earth: apart from mentioning the Ringwraith, there is no distinct mention of anything else of Tolkien, and I think it's more or less "general" - about fantasy, or fairytales, and so on. There is also one song from a band I actually don't know, they are not my kind of music, but I noticed that in one of their songs - otherwise they don't have anything in common with Tolkien or even fantasy at large - they sing about a man who returns home drunk or something like that, don't know the text, just there is a word about his wife, that she "cried like hurt Nazgul".
I'm actually surprised no one has mentioned the Blind Guardian (or maybe I overlooked it?). Their album "Nightfall in Middle-Earth", which is all about Silmarillion, and sole songs like "Lord of the Rings" I don't find actually drawing me to the world of Tolkien, but they talk about it nonetheless, so I'm surprised they were not even mentioned (especially, if there were Nightwish mentioned, who are very similar kind of music, but do not sing about LotR explicitely, and the BG do - at least in these few songs).

But back to the original question, songs which remind ME of ME (ahem... you know what I mean :D ) are some from Clannad, but as well Led Zeppelin's Stairway to Heaven (as someone has already mentioned) and Black Dog (don't ask me why; I just used to have them on tape - ah, the ancient times - together, and it reminds me somehow of the other Wizards than Gandalf. Yeah, when I listen to it, I imagine Radagast, Saruman, and the Blue Wizards. But don't ask me why, really don't know). There are also songs where the feeling is more common, like Pink Floyd's "Breathe". And yeah, I could add some songs from the Beatles remind me of Frodo and Sam's journey to Mordor: namely "With A Little Help From My Friends", "A Day in the Life", "Magical Mystery Tour" and "Strawberry Fields Forever" :D

[Lalwendë]

Legate, you might be amused by this: mad Led Zep & Tolkien page (http://groups.msn.com/ZeppelinTriviaandmore/lyricswhatdo.msnw?action=get_message&mview=0&ID_Message=507&LastModified=4675317152761229038). ;) In addition to Ringwraiths, Plant wrote about The Dark Lord, so that might be another, but the guy on this page says there is 'no Avalon' in Tolkien but there is Avallone (how much Tolkien has he read, eh?). You're correct, Plant and Page deny they wrote any of their songs 'about' Tolkien, and if you look at them they're actually a big jumbled mess of all kinds of things. Plant was indeed a big Tolkien fan, but those were erm....'heady' times for Led Zep and I strongly suspect they were not always fully 'sober' when writing lyrics. ;) But the atmosphere of the song is most conducive to thoughts of Tolkien's work at least...

[Holbytlass]

Dave Mathew's Band-Tripping Billies

eat, drink and be merry
for tomorrow we die
'cause we're tripping Billies

because of *Wilwarin's old signature "eat drink and be Merry....or Pippin".


*I think it was Wilwarin's

[shieldmaiden4xsword]

For some reason the song "Let us Love and sing and wonder".

1. Let us love and sing and wonder
Let us praise the Savior’s name
He has hushed the law’s loud thunder
He has quenched Mount Sinai’s flame
He has washed us with His blood
He has washed us with His blood
He has washed us with His blood
He has brought us nigh to God

2. Let us love the Lord Who bought us
Pitied us when enemies
Called us by His grace and taught us
Gave us ears and gave us eyes
He has washed us with His blood
He has washed us with His blood
He has washed us with His blood
He presents our souls to God

3. Let us sing through fierce temptation
Threaten hard to bear us down
For the Lord, our strong salvation,
Holds in view the conqu’ror’s crown
He, Who washed us with His blood,
He, Who washed us with His blood,
He, Who washed us with His blood,
Soon will bring us home to God

4. Let us wonder grace and justice
Join and point to mercy’s store
When through grace in Christ our trust is
Justice smiles and asks no more
He Who washed us with His blood
He Who washed us with His blood
He Who washed us with His blood
Has secured our way to God

5. Let us praise and join the chorus
Of the saints enthroned on high
Here they trusted Him before us
Now their praises fill the sky
Thou hast washed us with Thy blood
Thou hast washed us with Thy blood
Thou hast washed us with Thy blood
Thou art worthy Lamb of God.

i LOVE this song, for some reason it makes me think of LOTR. ok, ok, OK!!! i'm really weird.

[Volo]

Such Russian bands as Aria and Kipelov (not many of you have heard of them as they are Russian) remind me of Middle-earth in many songs, but they do remind me of many different fantasy books... Especially Robin Hobb and Maria Semjonova.

[Thinlómien]

Dido's My Lover's Gone is an Amarië & Finrod Felagund song for me...

My lover's gone,
his boots no longer by my door,
he left at dawn,
and as I slept I felt him go
Returns no more,
I will not watch the ocean,
my lover's gone,
no earthly ships will ever
Bring him home again,
bring him home again
My lover's gone,
I know that kiss will be my last,
no more his song,
the tune upon his lips has passed
I sing alone,
while I watch the ocean,
my lover's gone,
no earthly ships will ever Bring him home again,
bring him home again
bring him home again
my lover's gone
his boots no longer by my door
he left at dawn
and as I slept I felt him go
returns no more
I will not watch the ocean
my lovers gone
no earthly ships will ever
bring him home again
bring him home again

It just fits so beautifully for the story, every single word (almost :rolleyes: ) :D ....

[Thinlómien]

I was listening to Blackmore's Night's Windmills today and I was freaked out by how much it reminds me of Túrin and Nienor.

Here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKqr_eaDV-4)'s the song on YouTube and here are the lyrics:

Far from the worn path of reason
Further away from the sane
He battles his shadows and demons
Fighting to light the way

And the dust and the dirt cloud his vision
Onward he rides unafraid
He fights the good fight for good reason
A star that refuses to fade

Still he braves his path…
Windmills only laugh

She was wounded and wild when he found her
He saw her through child’s eyes
She fell for the spell he was under
Each day a brand new surprise

And she watches with strange curiosity
She wants so much to believe
Hoping to break the chains of reality
Dying to set herself free

Though he may appear tattered and broken
His clothes are shabby and bare
Still he glows like the flame of a candle
With passion of one who still cares

There was always a rhyme to the reason
Peering out from tired eyes
The truth finally came in treason
So wrong, but so justified…
So wrong but so justified…
Windmills close their eyes…

Some lines are just... just so fitting it scares me. Some are less fitting and of course the windmills have nothing to do with Narn-i-Hín-Húrin, they're Don Quijote stuff. ;)

Anyway, I like this thread a lot, so people please, post stuff here! And especially if you can post a link so that we can hear the songs... :)

[Morthoron]

I was listening to Blackmore's Night's Windmills today and I was freaked out by how much it reminds me of Túrin and Nienor.

I don't know why I am amazed that you listen to Blackmore's Night, but I am nonetheless, and pleased! Not to date myself, but I saw Ritchie Blackmore with Deep Purple in 1973 (I am sure I was only an infant!). A great guitarist who has evolved away from rock to embrace more traditional roots.

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

I listened to the song "A Land Without Tall Mountains" by the folk singer Michael Falch and realised that it reminded me of "The Shire"

It is obviously written about Denmark, but I think it fits the shire as well.

"In a land without tall mountains
Where it both rains and snows
I shall live my days
And die when my time comes

In a spot on the world map
That nobody pays any heed
And which can easily disappear
When there is peace no more
My flag has neither stars,
Nor hammer and sickle
It fell down from the sky,
Probably by a mistake

In a land without tall mountains
I will build, I will believe
In a land without tall mountains
I will build, I will live.

And if you come as a foreign
Forget all about old hate
We will start no wars –
And no world peace

For my people posses
Hearts of gold
It is found in flasks
And in the dark mold

This land my grandfather has ploughed in his face sweat
And my mother took my father and got me – out of love.


Obviously the part about the flag is hard to apply to Tolkiens world, but I think that is the only part that does not fit completely. . . Obviously it is not translated directly all of the time.

[Thinlómien]

That fits well indeed, Rune. :)

I don't know why I am amazed that you listen to Blackmore's Night, but I am nonetheless, and pleased! Not to date myself, but I saw Ritchie Blackmore with Deep Purple in 1973 (I am sure I was only an infant!). A great guitarist who has evolved away from rock to embrace more traditional roots.Well, I'm not a huge fan but I like them nevertheless - I even saw them live this summer when they came to Finland. They are a great live band. Blackmore himself was sick, so he wasn't particularily lively, but he played very well anyway.

[Groin Redbeard]

Wow, Lommy and Rune, those songs are perfect for Tolkien books! Never once did I suspect, through the reading song's lyrics, that they were not intended otherwise. Very nice.:)

[Groin Redbeard]

Anyway, I like this thread a lot, so people please, post stuff here! And especially if you can post a link so that we can hear the songs... :)Very well, I shall.:)

This song has for a long time reminded me of Beren and Luthien. The name is Making Memories Of Us (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeXWkN_EHF4) by Keith Urban.


Making Memories Of Us lyrics

I'm gonna be here for you baby
I'll be a man of my word
Speak the language in a voice that you have never heard
I wanna sleep with you forever
And I wanna die in your arms
In a cabin by a meadow where the wild bees swarm

And I'm gonna love you like nobody loves you
And I'll earn your trust making memories of us

I wanna honor your mother
I wanna learn from your pa
I wanna steal your attention like a bad outlaw
I wanna stand out in a crowd for you
A man among men
I wanna make your world better than it's ever been

And I'm gonna love you like nobody loves you
And I'll earn your trust making memories of us

We'll follow the rainbow
Wherever the four winds blow
And there'll be a new day
Comin' your way

I'm gonna be here for you from now on
This you know somehow
You've been stretched to the limits but it's alright now
And I'm gonna make you this promise
If there's life after this
I'm gonna be there to meet you with a warm, wet kiss

And I'm gonna love you like nobody loves you
And I'll earn your trust making memories of us
I'm gonna love you like nobody loves you
And I'll win your trust making memories of us

The romantic optimism of the song is probably what reminds of Beren and Luthien. Though, some of the lines of the song remind me of Turin, especially when mentions him "stealing your attention like a bad outlaw.";)

[Morthoron]

The song 'Afterglow' by Genesis (from the excellent album 'Wind and Wuthering' prior to the band becoming crassly commercial) has a very reverent, Middle-earthlike feel, and could be applied to Beren's search for Luthien, or even Frodo's final departure:

Like the dust that settles all around me
I must find a new home
The ways and holes that used to give me shelter
Are all as one to me now

But I, I would search everywhere
Just to hear your call
And walk upon stranger roads than this one
In a world I used to know before
I miss you more

Than the sun reflecting off my pillow
Bringing the warmth of new life
And the sounds that echoed all around me
I caught a glimpse of in the night
But now, now I've lost everything
I give to you my soul
The meaning of all that I believed before
Escapes me in this world of none, no thing, no one

And I would search everywhere
Just to hear your call
And walk upon stranger roads than this one
I a world I used to know before
For now I've lost everything
I give to you my soul
The meaning of all that I believed before
Escapes me in this world of none
I miss you more

[Morthoron]

I was just listening to The Who's Love, Reign O'er Me, and thought that an epic love story such as Earendel and Elwing's deserved a love song of epic proportion, and this Who song certainly has an epic feel:

Only love can make it rain,
The way the beach is kissed by the sea.
Only love can make it rain,
Like the sweat of lovers laying in the fields.

Love, Reign o'er me.
Love, Reign o'er me, Rain on me.

On the dry and dusty road,
The nights we spend apart alone.
I need to get back home to cool, cool rain.
I can't sleep and I lay and I think,
The night is hot and black as ink.
Oh God, I need a drink of cool, cool rain.

Only love can bring the rain,
That makes you yearn to the sky.
Only love can bring the rain,
That falls like tears from on high.

Love, Reign o'er me.
Love, Reign o'er me, on me.
Love...

Here is the studio rendition, with a song-ending shriek by Roger Daltrey that is perhaps one of the greatest in the annals of rock:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKBATzh9q1g

[Tilion the Wayward]

While I was reading the books recently I was always looking for music to listen to whilst reading.

Enya - Boadicea (http://www.imeem.com/michi/music/NLshjokh/enya_boadicea/)
As has been said, Enya creates the perfect atmosphere for reading LOTR. One night while on vacation I was having trouble adjusting to the time change. I had been reading Fellowship at the time & so I put on my collection of Enya as it fit my mood & desire for sleep. I must have entered a 1/2 dream, 1/2 awake state b/c as I was listening to the celtish music of Enya, images of kingdoms & mountains & medieval hordes flowed through my brain, images I hadn't before been exposed to. This song in particular made me think of a vast impenetrable fortress such as Minas Tirith (though I hadn't yet read that far).

Lisa Gerrard - Devotion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TF7Uh-wCbI)
From the album of the name The Silver Tree, no less. A haunting, ethereal piece that makes me think of leaving ME for the Grey Havens.

Hans Zimmer - Now We Are Free (http://www.imeem.com/people/g1j36J/music/4gu2Oi8n/hans_zimmer_and_lisa_gerrad_now_we_are_free/) (yes I know it is from Gladiator)
This song easily conjures images of Elves singing either in Ithilien at the celebration for Frodo & Sam, or in their respective homes of Lothlorien or Rivendell after the destruction of the Ring. It is joyful but yet somber, given all that has been destroyed or will be leaving Middle Earth.

"Now We Are Free"

[Originally performed by Lisa Gerrard & Hans Zimmer]

Anol shalom
Anol sheh lay konnud de ne um (shaddai)
Flavum
Nom de leesh
Ham de nam um das
La um de
Flavne...

We de ze zu bu
We de sooo a ru
Un va-a pesh a lay
Un vi-i bee
Un da la pech ni sa
(Aaahh)
Un di-i lay na day
Un ma la pech a nay
mee di nu ku

[x4]
La la da pa da le na da na
Ve va da pa da le na la dumda

Anol shalom
Anol sheh ley kon-nud de ne um.
Flavum.
Flavum.
M-ai shondol-lee
Flavu... {Live on...}
Lof flesh lay
Nof ne
Nom de lis
Ham de num um dass
La um de
Flavne..
Flay
Shom de nomm
Ma-lun des
Dwondi.
Dwwoondi
Alas sharum du koos
Shaley koot-tum

[THE Ka]

Enya - Boadicea

Ooh! Love that one.

I have to agree about Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard. Both amazing, especially Gerrard's work on the This Mortal Coil albums. Nice choices. :)

Not quite a work in its own, but whenever I snatch enough time to play Fable, I love listening to the Temple of Light (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSNgijFiUpk)score by Russel Shaw. It's beautiful but in an errie way and always reminds me a bit of Lothlorien, especially that Shaw let the harp echo it adds to the mood.
... Yes I know, I'm a big dork, but I can't help it. I love the game series.:rolleyes:

~ Ka

[mark12_30]

One song which has often made me think of ME is Two Horizons by Moya Brennan.

I am a loyal Moya Brennan fan but usually listen to her gaelic songs. Which is kind of funny, since I have most of her albums.

Interesting that you brought this one up. Time to dig into my itunes archives and find it!

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

I finally investigated Isengard, a project of black metal hero Fenriz, and it's really good. It evokes the spirit of Orcs. Folky, black metal. Songs like 'Trollwandering' - what more can I say? Isengard!

[Aganzir]

I've been massively obsessed with PJ Harvey's All and Everyone for the last month or so. A while ago I was rambling on about it as usual and quoting the lyrics to Lommy, who didn't (understandably) remember them in detail.
"Sounds like Éomer's song," she said.
"Oh yeah, it actually does!" I said. And realised later that I had totally misquoted, and added parts of Out of doubt, out of dark in the middle. Which probably tells that the connection was dormant in my head even before Lommy pointed it out.

Anyway here goes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpHTeqlwTAM) - the Rohirrim charging into the Fields of Pelennor (and even some marine elements from Éomer's meeting with Aragorn in the battlefield).

Death was everywhere
In the air and in the sounds
Coming off the mounds of Bolton's Ridge
Ooh, death's anchorage

When you rolled a smoke or told a joke
It was in the laughter and drinking water
It approached the beach as strings of cutters
Dropped into the sea and lay around us

Death was in the ancient fortress
Shelled by a million bullets
From gunners waiting in the copses
With hearts that threatened to pop their boxes
As we advanced into the sun
Death was all and everyone
Death was all and everyone

As we advancing in the sun
As we advancing every man
As we advancing in the sun

Death hung in the smoke
And clung to 400 acres of useless beach front
A bank of red earth, dripping down
Death is now and now and now

Death was everywhere
In the air and in the sounds
Coming off the mounds of Bolton's Ridge
Oh, death's anchorage

Death was in the staring sun
Fixing its eyes on everyone
It rattled the bones of the Light Horsemen
Still lying out there in the open

As we advancing in the sun
As we advancing every man
As we advancing in the sun
Sing, "Death to all and everyone"

edit: now my signature looks awkward

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Listening to Octopus's Garden by The Beatles makes me think of Oin. :p

In all seriousness, though, I was listening to Last of the Famous International Playboys by Morrissey (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk1wUKoXL20) and couldn't help thinking of Sauron - particularly his relationship with Melkor. I imagine Sauron being enamoured of him and wanting to impress him with his deeds of darkness.

The song is originally about the London gangsters known as the Kray twins (Ronnie and Reggie Kray), from the 1960s. I can just imagine Sauron having similar feelings of idealization for Melkor.

Dear hero, imprisoned
With all the new crimes
That you are perfecting

Oh, I can't help quoting you
'Cause everything
That you said rings true

And now in my cell
Well, I followed you
And here's a list of who I slew

Reggie Kray, do you know my name?
Oh, don't say you don't
Please say you do, ohh ohh

I am the last of the famous
International playboys
The last of the famous
International playboys

And in my cell
Well, I loved you
And every man with a job to do

Ronnie Kray, do you know my face?
Oh, don't say you don't
Please say you do, ohh ohh

I am the last of the famous
International playboys
The last of the famous
International playboys

In our lifetime those who kill
The news world
Hands them stardom

And these are the ways
On which I was raised
These are the ways
On which I was raised

I never wanted to kill
I am not naturally evil
Such things I do

Just to make myself
More attractive to you
Have I failed?

Oh, the last of the famous
International playboys

[Inziladun]

Hookbill, your Morrissey song makes me wonder why I haven't thought of this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJH7sIpOBRo) one for Túrin before.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Hookbill, your Morrissey song makes me wonder why I haven't thought of this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJH7sIpOBRo) one for Túrin before.

Oh sweet lord! That is perfect! :D

[MisterMelkor]

Beard of Stars by Marc Bolan and Tyrannosaurus Rex. His works were heavily inspired by Tolkien. It would have been his 66. birthday today by the way. ;)

[avar]

Led Zeppelin and Tolkien Relations Page (http://www.geocities.com/Athens/2406/)

Misty Mountain Hop - alludes to Misty Mountains
Over the Hills and Far Away - alludes to Misty Mountains
Ramble On - mentions "Mordor" and "Gollum"
The Battle of Evermore - Battle of Pelennor Field

I read somewhere that No Quarter from Houses of the Holy is supposed to be inspired by the Nine Walkers (and the Paths of the Dead):

"No Quarter"

Close the door, put out the light.
You know they won't be home tonight.
The snow falls hard and don't you know?
The winds of Thor are blowing cold.
They're wearing steel that's bright and true
They carry news that must get through.

They choose the path where no-one goes.

They hold no quarter.

Walking side by side with death, The devil mocks their every step
The snow drives back the foot that's slow, The dogs of doom are howling more
They carry news that must get through, To build a dream for me and you

They choose the path where no-one goes.

They hold no quarter. They ask no quarter.
The pain, the pain without quarter.
They ask no quarter.
The dogs of doom are howling more!

[Snowdog]

Dido's My Lover's Gone is an Amarië & Finrod Felagund song for me...

My lover's gone,
his boots no longer by my door,
he left at dawn,
and as I slept I felt him go
Returns no more,
I will not watch the ocean,
my lover's gone,
no earthly ships will ever
Bring him home again,
bring him home again
My lover's gone,
I know that kiss will be my last,
no more his song,
the tune upon his lips has passed
I sing alone,
while I watch the ocean,
my lover's gone,
no earthly ships will ever Bring him home again,
bring him home again
bring him home again
my lover's gone
his boots no longer by my door
he left at dawn
and as I slept I felt him go
returns no more
I will not watch the ocean
my lovers gone
no earthly ships will ever
bring him home again
bring him home again

It just fits so beautifully for the story, every single word (almost :rolleyes: ) :D ....

I considered Dido's My Lover's Gone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmM0UL9TWP4) a very Middle Earthy song in a sad Numenorean sort of way.

Well, let's see...how 'bout Led Zepplin's Stairway to Heaven? That's the most gorram Elvish song I've ever heard. I mean, consider these lines: There's a feeling I get when I look to the West / And my spirit is crying for leaving...

Continuing with this Led Zepplin line of thought, how many of you have ever really listened to The Battle of Evermore? If that song isn't about the Battle of the Pelennor, then I'm Mother Theresa. Consider the lyrics:

The Queen of Light took her bow (Queen of Light? Gee, who could that be...)
And then she turned to go
The Prince of Peace embraced the gloom
And walked the night alone (That sounds like a reference to Frodo if there ever was one)

Oh, dance in the dark of night
Sing to the morning light
The dark Lord rides in force tonight (Dark Lord? Sounds like Sauron to me)
And time will tell us all

Oh, throw down your plow and hoe
Rest not to lock your homes
Side by side we wait the night
Of the darkest of them all (This sounds like the Dawnless Day to me)

I hear the horses' thunder
Down in the valley below (Reference to the Rohirrim?)
I'm waiting for the angels of Avalon
Waiting for the eastern glow

The apples of the valley hold
The seas of happiness
The ground is rich from tender care
Repay, do not forget, no, no

Oh, dance in the dark of night
sing to the morning light
The apples turn to brown and black
The tyrant's face is red

Oh, war is the common cry
Pick up you swords and fly
The sky is filled with good and bad
That mortals never know

Oh, well, the night is long
The beads of time pass slow
Tired eyes on the sunrise
Waiting for the eastern glow

The pain of war cannot exceed
The woe of aftermath
The drums will shake the castle wall
The Ringwraiths ride in black, ride on (This one should be obvious!)

Sing as you raise your bow
Shoot straighter than before
No comfort has the fire at night
That lights the face so cold

Oh, dance in the dark of night
Sing to the mornin' light

The magic runes are writ in gold
To bring the balance back (Magic runes...like on Merry's sword?)
Bring it back

At last the sun is shining
The clouds of blue roll by
With flames from the dragon of darkness
The sunlight blinds his eyes...

When I heard Heart do Battle of Evermore (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wShmbjqP3WU) live, I was transported to the fields of Pelennor. Of course, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYnVKFhq9a8) do it quite well too.

[Snowdog]

... and for something a bit different...
Faun - Rosmarin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVQBBmDfU_w) has a Middle Earthy feel to it.

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

Even though it is not current music, right now I am getting LotR associations when I read or hear the work of Jeppe Aakjær (1866-1930). Especially the poems/songs “Ole sad på en knold og sang” and “Havren”. I normally prefer his work that comments on social issues, such as rural poverty, but obviously there is not any Tolkien-feel to poems such as “Jens Roadman”


What I find Tolkienesque about "Ole..." is (besides all the tralalalaley) the sense of longing dwelling in the heart of man, the desire to cross the sea and so on... My guess is that this song is inspired by the many Danes migrating to the US and Australia in the late 19th century.

Anyways here is my feeble translation of “Ole sad på en knold og sang (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltrZaE8gG2s)” (also the youtube video I have linked to, is to a slightly odd a cappella version of the song)


Ole sat on a knoll singing
la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!
Sheep and wethers (goat) around him jumped.
tra-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!

The heather rustled, and the cloud drifted
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!
Outlonging in the heart burned.
tra-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!

The heath restricted, and memory wandered
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!
Yet mother’s eyes had the strongest ties
tra-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!

Soon a thing became apparent
la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!
Memories won’t make the matter clear
tra-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!

One day Ole went trotting forth
la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!
Stood at once by the great sea
tra-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!

The eye shone, the tear ran
la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!
Nothing more in this world tied
tra-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!

Across the sea the shepherd fared
la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!
The sheeps are still standing staring
tra-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!

Nor wether or sheep can understand
la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!
Longing’s voyage over the wave blue
tra-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!

Luckily there is a professional translation of “Havren”:



Here I stand with tinkling bells galore,
Twenty on each straw, I think, or more.
But the farmer, bless his honest soul,
Calls me oats and speaks of twenty fold.



I was sown while happy birds in spring
Made with joyful song the welkin ring.
Bumble bees in wild and tumbling race,
In the mellow sunshine droned the bass.

Growing up in sunny morning dew
That sweet Symphony within me grew.
He who listens humbly while I ring,
Hears the echo of the songs of spring.

Cold, unfeeling hearts can never see
Anything but cattle-feed in me.
I am more than food for hungry jaws,
I am song of birds on golden straws.

I am friends with everything that grows,
Friends with every gentle wind that blows,
Friends with waving trees and summer skies,
Friends with daisies and with butterflies.

When the sun goes down, its parting smile
Lingers on my golden head a while,
And when evening bells ring out,
I too Tinkle, standing tip-toe in the dew.

I am ringing children to their beds,
Ringing up the mist that slowly spreads,
Ringing peace, as busy day departs,
Into humble homes and pious hearts.

Things are more than the sum of their components... That is definitely something I take from both this poem and the works of Tolkien. At least it would weird to suggest that either Aakjær or Tolkien were hardcore materialists. To some extend they might even be inspired by the same branch of romanticism. . .

[Snowdog]

I think Veni Veni Bella by Medieval Baebes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0v7nv2s3tQ) has a nice Imladrisy vibe to it.

[Andsigil]

I could see a song like Filii Neidhardi (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rkek7n4HsdY) by Corvus Corax being played by the Dunlendings, or in some region of Rhovanion.

[Faramir Jones]

There's some nice footage of Legolas and Haldir from the LotR films, to the tune of Men in Tights. The song is from the film Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1996), a spoof of Robin Hood films, in particular the one with Kevin Costner in it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE9TPGx1Jcs

I admit that I can't listen to the song now without thinking of those two elves... :eek:

[Bard the Bowman]

what about Lost Horizons , by the Gin Blossoms

[Lotrelf]

A Hindi song Hum rahe ya na rahe kal reminds me of the age that is passing. The song's about moving on in life, and when you move on, only memories remain with you- good and bad. So fits LOTR very well. Another one is My Immortals, it reminds of Frodo at times. :D

[Inziladun]

I had to put this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Sw9Fh6uk4Q) in because I love BNL. I can easily put Gandalf, Elrond, and Galadriel in this video wringing their hands about the Ring. :D