Lyric Discussion: Nightfall in Middle-Earth
 

So I'm going to try my hand at an actual, productive thread. I'd commented in the last thread on this, and I think it'd be interesting to see what other folk have to say when it specifically comes down to the lyrics of this album. Not specifically book-related, so it's here in N&N for all to enjoy. I figure about a week between my posts of lyrics, but if discussion seems to close I'll certainly move on.

Unfortunately, I'm not a music connoisseur, nor have I my copy of the Sil at hand. I shall have to leave it to others to help tie in the 'historical' links to what happened in the book, and take my point of view as a complete newcomer. Thusly:

Blind Guardian's Nightfall in Middle-Earth retells in part the doom of Morgoth and the fall of the Eldar. Twenty-two tracks and just over an hour of runtime, though half of them are half-minute segue pieces or a few lines of dialogue. I'll include these with the songs that seem to fit best, so there may be two or three tracks up in one post.

So, to begin:
Morgoth is besieged, his designs failed, the enemy within - who? The Elves? The Valar? And who is she? On a purely technical note, I adore the voices here; it's a way of speaking I have since borrowed for my own villainous characters.

Ah, but who is speaking here - Morgoth, or Sauron? The last verse seems to indicate a bargain between the two, the theft of the Silmarils? This is a fast-paced piece, even frantic at times; suggesting the thought of flight and escape, e.g. Where can I run, how can I hide....

And to close:

Might this be Feanor, discovering the loss of his crafted gems?

Some answers:
 

"She" is Ungoliant. This part is a great example of Blind Guardian drawing directly from the Sil. In the second paragraph of chapter 8 (Of the Darkening of Valinor) there is this:

For "Into the Storm," parts of it are certainly Morgoth and Ungoliant arguing. This is what I think:

And regarding "Lammoth," this was the place where Ungoliant attacked Morgoth, trying to get the Silmarils from him so she could consume them like she had the lesser jewels. In chapter 9 (of the Flight of the Noldor):

And it goes on and on, a la "It was a loud cry. No, really. This wasa seriously loud yell. You think your little baby cousin is noisy? That's just peanuts compared to Morgoth, etc." :p

Great idea, Calan. I think I shall enjoy this thread immensely. :)

Pardon my tardiness here; reality has had me unfortunately swamped.

Encaitaire - many thanks for replying, and also for catering to my utter, utter lack of Sil knowledge.

As to your replies: I had completely forgotten about Ungoliant's role, and I happen to agree completely concerning the lyrics between Morgoth and she.

This week's installment: one musical track, one brief spoken bit.

Partly a title track, I think Nightfall is one of the more dramatic pieces. Might this be a reference to the kin-slaying and internal strife of the elves?

Very short, and accompanied by the simple strumming of a guitar or lute. Is this Feanor, pondering his decision to lead or leave?

Lord above! It must be Maglor, Feanor's gentle second son, the great minstrel himself!

Well...it was news to me that good old Maglor had entered popular culture. A survivor as ever!