The Songs of Eru and Melkor
Eru’s Song - The Song of Creation
At long last, awake, my children
I hope you open your eyes in delight
Through growth and creation
Form the roots of our new nation
Our talents blending together like the mid-day lights
Kevlar, olvar, flowers, day
All for you to use, enjoy, and create
For you all, I have crafted my plan
The land of Arda is protected through your hands
Though in this world there will still be strife
Stay connected to each other and this way of life
My children, I hope you here my cry
For you I’ve opened the lands and sky
Be with each other when peril arrives
May Peace be with you to the end of time
Song Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLhx8HuhYAs&list=PLQ_PIlf6OzqJ3dvhti1wC2h6i8IoUeDdQ
Eru’s music has a very lyrical and mystical quality to it that showcases His love for Arda and His creation. In the lyrics, He is reflected as a leader and ruler over the world, but not in a controlling sense. Instead, He seeks to give counsel to His children and prepare them ahead of the plans He has laid out for them. In His music, the detail in which He describes Arda reflects His passion and belief in the world He has made. Through the words, I tried to convey a sense of harmony and melody that Eru wishes to pass onto those who live in Middle Earth, as well as a message of hope for the future.
The music in Eru’s song is also reflective of His dream of a harmonious and interconnected world. The mixture of different musical instruments, such as the harp, violin, flute, and piano, showcase His desire for all beings of Arda - Valar, Maiar, and the Free Peoples - to work together in harmony to create something beautiful together. It also parallels the flowing and hopeful lyrics of the song, producing a lighter overall tone and euphonious sound.
Melkor’s Song - The Song of Shadows
The Valar, with their signs in stars above
Rant to you about wisdom and love,
Peace and beauty must come at a cost
Ambition, talents, glory is all lost
Creation wasn’t meant for just one
It's a tortured web that Eru has spun
All of us caught in between, dangled like puppets on a string
Let us see what kind of damage we can bring
A kingdom based on deceit and lies
Filled with praise of Eru’s pride
A stronghold with no opposition, ruled by a sole dominion
Is based upon our collective submission
A kingdom that designed to have no foes
Isn’t prepared against an army that grows
So I chant to let darkness and shadow reign
Bring glory to the end of days
Song Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHcexk4BBlk
For Melkor’s song, I wanted his lyrics to reflect the idea of him sowing discord in the melodic and unified music of Illúvater. They give voice to his inner doubts and convictions, using them in a way to sow seeds of distrust in his audience. In addition, it juxtaposes the calm and guiding nature of Illúvater’s song. Instead of leading the world through means of creation, he instead intends to corrupt the minds and thoughts of the inhabitants of Middle Earth, but also in a way that his audience might think that it has been their own doing.
In the instrumental music, the ambient rain/background noise reminds me of the dark shadows and corners of the world where Melkor has been, and where his whispered words continue to linger on his quest to corrupt Middle Earth. The drums in the background also provide a sharp contrast to the lyrical nature of Eru’s song, while their slow crescendo as the song continues parallels his patient, calculated rise to power we have seen in The Silmarillion so far. As well, while Eru’s instrumental music also contains a harp, in this song it has a more ominous and haunting quality that reflects the true nature of Melkor’s lyrics.
Hi! I really love the way you did the songs. The song of Eru as one of creation is really nice and it has this flowery, peaceful sense to it. I think the way you crafted the song and truly expanded upon his sense of self and reason for being is amazing. For Melkor, I definitely get the sense of resentment that Melkor had in the beginning and it really takes you through a journey on how he wants to rule, spread evil, and really just create discord.
ReplyDeleteHi!! I really like how you contrasted Eru’s hopeful harmony with Melkor’s darker discord. I found it especially interesting how you described how the same instrument can take on completely different qualities depending on who wields it. That really reflects Tolkien’s idea that evil cannot create, only corrupt what already exists.
ReplyDeleteI really like how your piece feels almost like a blessing being spoken to the Children of Ilúvatar. The imagery of roots, flowers, and sky ties so nicely to the themes of creation and connection in Arda. I especially liked the line about talents blending together like mid-day lights, it reminded me of how the different peoples of Middle earth are meant to balance and complement each other. Your poem really captures that sense of hope, even while acknowledging the struggles that come with life.
ReplyDeleteAmazing job! I love how Eru’s song puts such an emphasis on his power of creation and his love for his children. I really like how you make Melkor criticize that power of creation, saying how it doesn’t belong to one person. This shows their different intentions, while simultaneously showing how they want the same ability. We know from what we have learned that Eru disapproves of others that use the power of creation, so highlighting this point of tension between the two in these songs was a good choice!
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