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

[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 ) ....

[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'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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

Originally Posted by Morth

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]

Originally Posted by Thinlómien

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 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
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
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 (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]

Originally Posted by Tilion

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 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.

~ Ka

[mark12_30]

Originally Posted by Maikadilwen

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 - 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.

In all seriousness, though, I was listening to Last of the Famous International Playboys by Morrissey 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 one for Túrin before.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Originally Posted by Inziladun

Hookbill, your Morrissey song makes me wonder why I haven't thought of this one for Túrin before.

Oh sweet lord! That is perfect!

[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]

Originally Posted by Imrahil

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

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]

Originally Posted by 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 ) ....

I considered Dido's My Lover's Gone a very Middle Earthy song in a sad Numenorean sort of way.

Originally Posted by 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...

When I heard Heart do Battle of Evermore live, I was transported to the fields of Pelennor. Of course, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss do it quite well too.

[Snowdog]

... and for something a bit different...
Faun - Rosmarin 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” (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”:

Originally Posted by Jeppe Akjær, The Oats

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 has a nice Imladrisy vibe to it.

[Andsigil]

I could see a song like Filii Neidhardi 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...

[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.

[Inziladun]

I had to put this in because I love BNL. I can easily put Gandalf, Elrond, and Galadriel in this video wringing their hands about the Ring.