Patrick Yarnell: Per Aspera Ad Astra! (Through difficulty to the stars!)

Of Beren & Luthien, Part I: The Massacre at Tarn Aeluin.

The song is inspired by the first section of chapter 19 of Tolkien’s Silmarillion. Few people are familiar with this book, so I’ve included some passages to help situate the lyrics:

First paragraph of the chapter:
Among the tales of sorrow and of ruin that come down to us from the darkness of those days, there are yet some in which amid weeping there is joy and under the shadow of death light that endures. And of these histories most fair still… is the tale of Beren and Luthien. Of their lives was made the Lay of Leithian, Release from Bondage, which is the longest save one of the songs concerning the world of old; but here the tale is told in fewer words and without song.

Textual inspiration for the 1st verse:
On a time of autumn [Gorlim] came [home]… There he saw Eilinel, and her face was worn with grief… and he heard her voice lamenting that he had forsaken her. But even as he cried aloud the light was blown out in the wind; wolves howled, and on his shoulders he felt suddenly the heavy hands of Sauron’s hunters. Thus, Gorlim was ensnared; and taking him to their camp they tormented him seeking to learn the hidings of [Beren’s father] Barahir… But nothing would Gorlim tell. Then they promised him that he should be released and restored to Eilinel, if he would yield; and being at last worn with pain, and yearning for his wife, he faltered. Then straight-way they brought him into the dreadful presence of Sauron; and Sauron said: “I hear now that thou wouldst barter with me. What is thy price?” And Gorlim answered that he should find Eilinel again, and with her be set free… Then Sauron smiled, saying: “That is a small price for so great a treachery. So shall it surely be. Say on!”
[Gorlim] told at last all that he would know. Then Sauron laughed; and he mocked Gorlim, and revealed to him that… Eilinel was dead. “Nonetheless, I will grant thy prayer,” said Sauron, “and thou shalt go to Eilinel, and be set free of my service.” Then he put Gorlim cruelly to death.

1st Verse
Searching Dorlomin Forest,
Gorlim calls for his wife.
But he’s seized by marauders,
And barters for his life.
“Reunite me with Eilinel,
And I’ll give what you seek.”
Sauron grins in agreement,
Knowing she is deceased.

Textual inspiration for the 2nd verse:
In this way the hiding of Barahir [Beren’s father] was revealed, and Morgoth drew his net about it; and the orcs coming in the still hours before dawn surprised the Men of Dorthonion and slew them all, save one. For Beren… was far afield when the lair was taken. But as he slept benighted in the forest he dreamed that carrion-birds sat thick as leaves upon bare trees beside a mere, and blood dripped from their beaks. Then Beren was aware in his dream of a form that came to him across the water, and it was a wraith of Gorlim; and it spoke to him declaring his treachery and death, and bade him make hast to warn his father.
Then Beren… sped through the night… But as he drew near the carrion-birds rose from the ground and sat in the alder-trees beside Tarn Aeluin, and croaked in mockery.
There Beren buried his father’s bones, and raised a cairn.. above him, and swore upon it an oath of vengeance.

2nd Verse
All alone in the forest,
Beren in fitful sleep.
With tidings of betrayal,
Gorlim intrudes his dream.
“Hasten to Tarn Aeluin;
Warn your clan of the raid!”
But in his late arrival,
Finds that they’d been waylaid.

Textual Inspiration for the chorus:
Then lluvatar spoke, and he said: “Mighty are the Ainur, and mightiest among them is Melkor; but that he may know… that I am Iluvatar… And thou, Melkor, shalt see that no theme may be played that hath not its uttermost source in me, nor can any alter the music in my despite. For he that attempteth this shall prove but mine instrument in the devising of things more wonderful, which he himself hath not imagined.

Chorus
The music of the world,
Though entangled in discord,
Spawns beauty unforetold,
As it’s divinely scored.