The Songs of Melkor and Eru

Melkor’s Song:

Come to me, and listen close

For I’m the one who cares the most

For your desires, wants, and needs

But only if you’ll follow me

Be my devoted servant, not friend, nor foe

To kill the Two Trees, and dim their glow

Let’s live in darkness, I’ll take command

And repay you if you lend a hand

When I’m in power, the Silmarils abducted,

The land we know will be destructed

The only light will be flames ablaze

To live in my rule for the rest of days

So prepare yourselves and embrace the rebirth

Of the home you once called Middle-earth


    In developing the lyrics to Melkor’s song, I wanted to convey his alluring appeal to many of the innocent Elves and Dwarves that were victim to his scheming in the earlier days of Arda, shown in the beginning chapters of Tolkien’s Silmarillion. In addition to his convincing act, I described Melkor’s hunger for power and destruction within the lyrics, making his goals clear. Chopin’s Étude, Opus 25, No. 5, nicknamed “Wrong Note,” captures the discord and confusion of Melkor’s song, as well as its eerie appeal. The notes do not combine pleasantly, instantly conveying the feeling that Melkor’s intentions are not what they seem, while the melody underneath tries to mask his deceit. As the piece continues, there are small moments of harmony; a section that could almost belong to Eru. Despite the moment of consonance, a menacing presence remains in the increasing volume and chords that move to a lower octave. Eventually, this Eru-adjacent sound returns back to its original dysfunction. These elements embody Melkor’s actions and represent the characteristics of his strategies and character as a whole.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7C2it9cCsY&list=RDg7C2it9cCsY&start_radio=1


Eru’s Song:

Come to me, and listen close

For I’m the one who cares the most

For your desires, wants, and needs

You now have a home within the Trees

Be a good follower, respectful and true

And I will lend my gifts to you

It is I in charge of all creation

Making Elves and Dwarves for one grand nation

Within my song you’ll reach one conclusion:

That you all must live in one strong union

Free from destruction, revenge, and greed

I will grant you everything you need

Remain in my order, the one that I birthed

To live the intended way of Middle-earth


    The intent behind writing these lyrics for the song of Eru was to fully express the extent of his power and role in Middle-earth. He is the Creator and God of this world, his power of creation directly rivaling Melkor’s desire for destruction. I wanted to highlight the contrasting ideals between the two by making their songs parallel each other through the use of the same lyrics. Gustav Holst’s The Planets IV. Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity is an instrumental piece that I believe accurately represents a similar character and feeling to that associated with Eru. It is a grand, regal symphony fit for the creator of Arda, containing a variety of instruments and sounds. This variety can represent the unity of the different species Eru created, embodying his vision for Arda. The piece was initially written to represent the Roman king of gods, Jupiter. Similarly, a mighty powerful mythological figure. As the piece nears its three minute mark, the music evolves into a calming, heavenly, and harmonious sound. This moment is the stark opposite of what Melkor desires and an excellent summary of what Eru believes in. It is followed with a build-up of sound that symbolizes the extent of Eru’s power and the vastness of his world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUM_zT3YKHs&list=RDBUM_zT3YKHs&start_radio=1