Lyrics
[Intro]
[Verse 1]
Finrod Felagund in Nargothrond
still reigned, a hidden king whose bond
was sworn to Barahir the bold.
And now his son Beren into that land
bearing the gleaming ring on hand,
the token of a lasting bond
that Felagund of Nargothrond
once swore in love to Barahir,
who sheltered him with shield and spear
and saved him from pursuing foe
on Northern battlefields long ago.
[pre-chorus]
There ventured forth from Nargothrond,
and to the North.
From Sauron their coming was not hid;
Now ringed about with wolves they stand.
[Chorus]
Sauron chanted a song of wizardry,
of piercing, opening, of treachery,
revealing, uncovering, betraying.
Then sudden Finrod there swaying
sang in answer a song of staying,
resisting, battling against power,
of secrets kept, strength like a tower.
[Verse 2]
Sauron chanting swelled, Finrod fought,
and all the magic and might he brought
of Elvenesse into his words.
Then the gloom gathered: darkness growing
in Valinor, the red blood flowing
beside the sea, where the Noldor slew
the Foam riders. The ravens flee.
The ice matters in the mouths of the sea.
The captives sad in Angband mourn.
Thunder rumbles, the fires burn,
a vast smoke gushes out, a roar -
and Felagund swoons upon the floor.
[Instrumental]
[Verse 3]
The slow time passed. Then in the gloom
two eyes there glowed. Beren saw his doom.
Lo! Upon the wolfish thing that crept
in shadow faithful Felagund,
careless of fang or venomed wound.
There in the dark they wrestled slow,
spurning Beren who there lying
heard the werewolf gasping, dying.
Then a voice he heard: 'Farewell!
On earth I need no longer dwell,
friend and comrade, Been bold.
My heart is burst, my limbs are cold.
Of poisoned teeth is in my breast.
I now must go to my long rest.'
Thus died the king,
as elvish singers yet do sing.
[Chorus]
Sauron chanted a song of wizardry,
of piercing, opening, of treachery,
revealing, uncovering, betraying.
Then sudden Finrod there swaying
sang in answer a song of staying,
resisting, battling against power,
of secrets kept, strength like a tower.
[Chorus]
Sauron chanted a song of wizardry,
of piercing, opening, of treachery,
revealing, uncovering, betraying.
Then sudden Finrod there swaying
sang in answer a song of staying,
resisting, battling against power,
of secrets kept, strength like a tower.
[Verse 4]
Thus died the king,
as elvish singers yet do sing.
The isle Beren and Luthien left behind;
but there on hill-top might one find
a green grave, and a stone set,
and there there lie the white bones yet
of Finrod, of Finarfin's son -
unless that land is changed and gone,
or foundered in unfathomed seas,
while Felagund laughs beneath the trees
in Valinor, and comes no more
to this grey world of tears and war.
[End]
[Ending]
