Wiki of Westeros

Dueling Trailers Choose your trailer. Green vs. Black. Two sides. One war. June 16.

READ MORE

Wiki of Westeros
Register
Wiki of Westeros
Tag: rte-wysiwyg
(47 intermediate revisions by 17 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
:''This article is about the song, for the episode named after it see [[The Rains of Castamere (episode)]]''
+
::''This article is about the song, for the episode named after it see [[The Rains of Castamere (episode)]]''
   
 
{{Quote|And now the rains weep o'er his hall and not a soul to hear.|Queen [[Cersei Lannister]]|Second Sons (episode)}}
 
{{Quote|And now the rains weep o'er his hall and not a soul to hear.|Queen [[Cersei Lannister]]|Second Sons (episode)}}
Line 5: Line 5:
 
'''''The Rains of Castamere''''' is a famous song in [[Westeros]]. It is dedicated to [[Tywin Lannister]] in particular and [[House Lannister]] in general.
 
'''''The Rains of Castamere''''' is a famous song in [[Westeros]]. It is dedicated to [[Tywin Lannister]] in particular and [[House Lannister]] in general.
   
== Origins ==
+
==Origins==
[[File:ReyneRebellion.png|thumb|The red lion of Reyne confronts the golden lion of Lannister]]
+
[[File:ReyneRebellion.png|thumb|The red lion of Reyne confronts the golden lion of Lannister.]]
''The Rains of Castamere'' immortalized the destruction of [[House Reyne]] by [[Tywin Lannister]]. House Reyne was obliterated after they [[Reyne Rebellion|rebelled]] against their liege lord, [[Tytos Lannister]], who was perceived as weak by his own vassals. To restore Lannister dominance, Tytos' son, Tywin, marched against the upstart Lord Reyne. By the end of the rebellion, Castamere had been put to the torch and all members of House Reyne executed. The title is thus a play on words, as the "rains" fall over the empty halls of the "Reynes" who have been killed to the last man.<ref name="Lannister featurette">"The [[Complete Guide to Westeros]]: House Lannister"</ref>
+
''The Rains of Castamere'' immortalized the destruction of [[House Reyne]] by [[Tywin Lannister]]. House Reyne was obliterated after they [[Reyne Rebellion|rebelled against]] their liege lord, [[Tytos Lannister]], who was perceived as weak by his own vassals. To restore Lannister dominance, Tytos's son, Tywin, marched against the upstart Lord Reyne. By the end of the rebellion, Castamere had been put to the torch and all members of House Reyne executed. The title is thus a play on words, as the "rains" fall over the empty halls of the "Reynes" who have been killed to the last man.<ref name="Lannister featurette">The [[Complete Guide to Westeros]]: House Lannister</ref>
   
 
The lyrics heavily reference the fact that the sigil of House Reyne was ''also'' a lion, but a red one instead of the golden lion used as the sigil of [[House Lannister]]. The rebellion of the Reynes against the Lannisters was thus seen as a clash of lions.
 
The lyrics heavily reference the fact that the sigil of House Reyne was ''also'' a lion, but a red one instead of the golden lion used as the sigil of [[House Lannister]]. The rebellion of the Reynes against the Lannisters was thus seen as a clash of lions.
   
In the decades since young Tywin reasserted House Lannister's dominance by crushing the Reynes, ''The Rains of Castemere'' went on to become very popular with soldiers of [[the Westerlands]], becoming an "anthem" of sorts for House Lannister. This extends to the point that even Western soldiers sometimes refer to it simply as, "the Lannister song".<ref>"[[Blackwater]]"</ref>
+
In the decades since young Tywin reasserted House Lannister's dominance by crushing the Reynes, ''The Rains of Castemere'' went on to become very popular with soldiers of [[the Westerlands]], becoming an "anthem" of sorts for House Lannister. This extends to the point that even Western soldiers sometimes refer to it simply as, "the Lannister song".<ref name="E19">"[[Blackwater]]"</ref>
   
 
==History==
 
==History==
 
===[[Season 2]]===
 
===[[Season 2]]===
  +
[[File:Bronn singing.png|thumb|Bronn sings in front of Lannister soldiers.]]
 
 
Tyrion whistles the tune to the song when he arrives at the [[Small Council]] in [[King's Landing]] for the first time.<ref>"[[The North Remembers]]"</ref> He does it again while on his way to visit [[Shae]], when he is surprised to find that [[Varys]] is there with her.<ref>"[[The Night Lands]]"</ref>
 
Tyrion whistles the tune to the song when he arrives at the [[Small Council]] in [[King's Landing]] for the first time.<ref>"[[The North Remembers]]"</ref> He does it again while on his way to visit [[Shae]], when he is surprised to find that [[Varys]] is there with her.<ref>"[[The Night Lands]]"</ref>
   
Bronn and a number of Lannister men-at-arms sing the song while drinking and whoring prior to the [[Battle of the Blackwater]]. When they ask how he came to know "the Lannister song" he simply replies, "Drunk Lannisters."<ref name="E19"/>
+
Bronn and a number of Lannister men-at-arms sing the song while drinking and whoring prior to the [[Battle of the Blackwater]]. When they ask how he came to know "the Lannister song" he simply replies, "Drunk Lannisters."<ref name=E19/>
   
 
===[[Season 3]]===
 
===[[Season 3]]===
 
[[Thoros of Myr]] sings the Rains of Castamere as he crosses [[the Riverlands]] alongside [[Anguy]] and other members of the [[Brotherhood Without Banners]].<ref>"[[Dark Wings, Dark Words]]"</ref>
 
[[Thoros of Myr]] sings the Rains of Castamere as he crosses [[the Riverlands]] alongside [[Anguy]] and other members of the [[Brotherhood Without Banners]].<ref>"[[Dark Wings, Dark Words]]"</ref>
   
Queen [[Cersei]] tells [[Margaery Tyrell]] about the origins of the song to intimidate her.<ref>"[[Second Sons (episode)]]"</ref>
+
Queen [[Cersei]] tells [[Margaery Tyrell]] about the origins of the song to intimidate her.<ref>"[[Second Sons (episode)|Second Sons]]"</ref>
   
The musicians - actually assassins - hired by [[Lothar Frey]] for the wedding feast of [[Edmure Tully]] and [[Roslin Frey]] begin playing the song after the bedding of the newlyweds. The song is the signal for the forces of [[House Frey]] and [[House Bolton]] to turn on the [[House Stark|Starks]] and [[House Tully|Tullys]] and [[Red Wedding|slaughter them]]. [[Catelyn Stark]] is the only one present who recognizes the tune, but by the time she realizes what is happening, it is already far too late.<ref>"[[The Rains of Castamere (episode)]]"</ref>
+
The musicians - actually assassins - hired by [[Lothar Frey]] for the wedding feast of [[Edmure Tully]] and [[Roslin Frey]] begin playing the song after the bedding of the newlyweds. The song is the signal for the forces of [[House Frey]] and [[House Bolton]] to turn on the [[House Stark|Starks]] and [[House Tully|Tullys]] and [[Red Wedding|slaughter them]]. [[Catelyn Stark]] is the only one present who recognizes the tune, but by the time she realizes what is happening, it is already far too late.<ref>"[[The Rains of Castamere (episode)|The Rains of Castamere]]"</ref>
  +
  +
===[[Season 4]]===
  +
While examining prostitutes at a brothel owned by [[Petyr Baelish]], currently managed by [[Olyvar]], Prince [[Oberyn Martell]] and his [[paramour]] [[Ellaria Sand]] overhear two Lannister soldiers singing the Rains of Castamere.<ref>"[[Two Swords]]"</ref>
  +
  +
During the [[Purple Wedding|royal wedding feast]] of King [[Joffrey Baratheon]], a group of [[Musician 1 (The Lion and the Rose)|three]] [[Musician 2 (The Lion and the Rose)|professional]] [[Musician 3 (The Lion and the Rose)|musicians]] plays the song. Their cover of it is somewhat slow and boring, so ultimately Joffrey throws some coins at their feet to make them stop.<ref>"[[The Lion and the Rose]]"</ref>
  +
  +
A few compases of the song can be listened when [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]] [[Assassination at the Tower of the Hand|is murdered]] by [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]]
   
 
==Lyrics==
 
==Lyrics==
Line 37: Line 44:
 
:::''as long and sharp as yours. ''
 
:::''as long and sharp as yours. ''
   
:::''And so he spoke, and so he spoke, ''
+
::''And so he spoke, and so he spoke, ''
 
:::''that Lord of Castamere, ''
 
:::''that Lord of Castamere, ''
 
:::''But now the rains weep o'er his hall, ''
 
:::''But now the rains weep o'er his hall, ''
Line 46: Line 53:
 
==Behind the scenes==
 
==Behind the scenes==
 
[[Image:Soundtrack Season 2.jpg|right|200px|thumb|The song appears on the Season 2 soundtrack album.]]
 
[[Image:Soundtrack Season 2.jpg|right|200px|thumb|The song appears on the Season 2 soundtrack album.]]
The version used in the TV series' soundtrack was recorded by the American indie rock band [[wikipedia:The National (band)|The National]], and appears on the ''[[Game of Thrones Season 2 Soundtrack]]'', as well as over the closing credits for the episode "[[Blackwater (episode)|Blackwater]]."<ref name="E19">"[[Blackwater (episode)|Blackwater]]"</ref>
+
The version used in the TV series' soundtrack was recorded by the American indie rock band [[The National]], and appears on the ''[[Game of Thrones Season 2 Soundtrack]]'', as well as over the closing credits for the episode "[[Blackwater (episode)|Blackwater]]".<ref name="E19"/> Originally producers [[David Benioff]] and [[D.B. Weiss]] wanted British band [[wikipedia:Florence and the Machine|Florence and the Machine]] to perform the song, but they were busy. The National were their second choice.
  +
  +
The lyrics are provided by the original novel. Show composer [[Ramin Djawadi]] wrote the tune before the National came in and played their own interpretation of it.<ref>[http://www.vulture.com/2013/07/game-of-thrones-behind-the-music.html Vulture]</ref>
  +
 
The song is the basis of the Lannisters' leitmotif in the TV series's musical score.
   
  +
​Icelandic post-rock band [[Sigur Rós]] have recorded a version of the song for the [[Season 4|fourth season]].<ref>[http://wicnet.tumblr.com/post/81615844354/preview-of-sigur-ross-cover-of-the-rains-of Winter is Coming Tumblr]</ref>
The song is the basis of the Lannisters' leitmotif in the TV series' musical score.
 
   
 
==In the books==
 
==In the books==
In the ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]'' novels, ''The Rains of Castamere'' was composed after [[Tywin Lannister]]'s victory over their rebellious bannermen: [[House Reyne]] of [[Castamere]] and the ancient House Tarbeck of Tarbeck Hall. Lord [[Tytos Lannister]], Tywin's father, had been a kind but weak ruler. He loaned money to lords who never bothered to repay him and his vassals openly ignored his orders and mocked him in court. When Lord Reyne, known as the Red Lion of Castamere, and Lady Ellyn Tarbeck rose in rebellion, Tywin took it upon himself to deal with the rebellion and wiped out both of the upstart lords, their families and households and put their seats of power to the torch.
+
In the ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]'' novels, ''The Rains of Castamere'' was composed after [[Tywin Lannister]]'s victory over their rebellious bannermen: [[House Reyne]] of [[Castamere]] and the ancient House Tarbeck of Tarbeck Hall. Lord [[Tytos Lannister]], Tywin's father, had been a kind but weak ruler. He loaned money to lords who never bothered to repay him and his vassals openly ignored his orders and mocked him in court. When Lord Reyne (known as the Red Lion of Castamereand Lady Ellyn Tarbeck rose in rebellion, Tywin took it upon himself to deal with the rebellion and wiped out both of the upstart lords, their families and households and put their seats of power to the torch.
   
  +
Some years later after the extinction of House Reyne when Lord Farman of Faircastle grew truculent, Lord Tywin sent an envoy bearing a lute instead of a letter to play “The Rains of Castamere” in Farman's hall, and the latter gave no further trouble.
Later when another lord and Tywin Lannister had a disagreement over a matter, Tywin Lannister's reply was a minstrel sent with a harp to play the song to this lord who immediately changed his mind and complied.
 
   
  +
In the novels, ''The Rains of Castamere'' and its story (as above) are first mentioned in Chapter 19 of Volume 3, [http://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/A_Storm_of_Swords A Storm of Swords], and the full lyrics'' ''are first provided in Chapter 39 of the same volume; the TV show uses that lyric without alteration.
It is noted as being one of the few songs that the stern Tywin Lannister seems to enjoy, as he is fond of the lyrics.
 
   
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
* [http://awoiaf.westeros.org:8080/index.php/The_Rains_of_Castamere The Rains of Castamere at A Wiki of Ice and Fire] (MAJOR SPOILERS from the books)
+
* {{AWOIAF|The Rains of Castamere}} (MAJOR spoilers from the books)
 
* [http://wicnet.tumblr.com/post/23655576387/tywinning-the-rains-of-castomere-by-the The official recording by The National]
 
* [http://wicnet.tumblr.com/post/23655576387/tywinning-the-rains-of-castomere-by-the The official recording by The National]
   

Revision as of 20:07, 9 June 2015

This article is about the song, for the episode named after it see The Rains of Castamere (episode)
"And now the rains weep o'er his hall and not a soul to hear."
―Queen Cersei Lannister[src]

The Rains of Castamere is a famous song in Westeros. It is dedicated to Tywin Lannister in particular and House Lannister in general.

Origins

ReyneRebellion

The red lion of Reyne confronts the golden lion of Lannister.

The Rains of Castamere immortalized the destruction of House Reyne by Tywin Lannister. House Reyne was obliterated after they rebelled against their liege lord, Tytos Lannister, who was perceived as weak by his own vassals. To restore Lannister dominance, Tytos's son, Tywin, marched against the upstart Lord Reyne. By the end of the rebellion, Castamere had been put to the torch and all members of House Reyne executed. The title is thus a play on words, as the "rains" fall over the empty halls of the "Reynes" who have been killed to the last man.[1]

The lyrics heavily reference the fact that the sigil of House Reyne was also a lion, but a red one instead of the golden lion used as the sigil of House Lannister. The rebellion of the Reynes against the Lannisters was thus seen as a clash of lions.

In the decades since young Tywin reasserted House Lannister's dominance by crushing the Reynes, The Rains of Castemere went on to become very popular with soldiers of the Westerlands, becoming an "anthem" of sorts for House Lannister. This extends to the point that even Western soldiers sometimes refer to it simply as, "the Lannister song".[2]

History

Season 2

File:Bronn singing.png

Bronn sings in front of Lannister soldiers.

Tyrion whistles the tune to the song when he arrives at the Small Council in King's Landing for the first time.[3] He does it again while on his way to visit Shae, when he is surprised to find that Varys is there with her.[4]

Bronn and a number of Lannister men-at-arms sing the song while drinking and whoring prior to the Battle of the Blackwater. When they ask how he came to know "the Lannister song" he simply replies, "Drunk Lannisters."[2]

Season 3

Thoros of Myr sings the Rains of Castamere as he crosses the Riverlands alongside Anguy and other members of the Brotherhood Without Banners.[5]

Queen Cersei tells Margaery Tyrell about the origins of the song to intimidate her.[6]

The musicians - actually assassins - hired by Lothar Frey for the wedding feast of Edmure Tully and Roslin Frey begin playing the song after the bedding of the newlyweds. The song is the signal for the forces of House Frey and House Bolton to turn on the Starks and Tullys and slaughter them. Catelyn Stark is the only one present who recognizes the tune, but by the time she realizes what is happening, it is already far too late.[7]

Season 4

While examining prostitutes at a brothel owned by Petyr Baelish, currently managed by Olyvar, Prince Oberyn Martell and his paramour Ellaria Sand overhear two Lannister soldiers singing the Rains of Castamere.[8]

During the royal wedding feast of King Joffrey Baratheon, a group of three professional musicians plays the song. Their cover of it is somewhat slow and boring, so ultimately Joffrey throws some coins at their feet to make them stop.[9]

A few compases of the song can be listened when Tywin is murdered by Tyrion

Lyrics

And who are you, the proud lord said,
that I must bow so low?
Only a cat of a different coat,
that's all the truth I know.
In a coat of gold or a coat of red,
a lion still has claws,
And mine are long and sharp, my lord,
as long and sharp as yours.
And so he spoke, and so he spoke,
that Lord of Castamere,
But now the rains weep o'er his hall,
with no one there to hear.
Yes now the rains weep o'er his hall,
and not a soul to hear.

Behind the scenes

Soundtrack Season 2

The song appears on the Season 2 soundtrack album.

The version used in the TV series' soundtrack was recorded by the American indie rock band The National, and appears on the Game of Thrones Season 2 Soundtrack, as well as over the closing credits for the episode "Blackwater".[2] Originally producers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss wanted British band Florence and the Machine to perform the song, but they were busy. The National were their second choice.

The lyrics are provided by the original novel. Show composer Ramin Djawadi wrote the tune before the National came in and played their own interpretation of it.[10]

The song is the basis of the Lannisters' leitmotif in the TV series's musical score.

​Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Rós have recorded a version of the song for the fourth season.[11]

In the books

In the A Song of Ice and Fire novels, The Rains of Castamere was composed after Tywin Lannister's victory over their rebellious bannermen: House Reyne of Castamere and the ancient House Tarbeck of Tarbeck Hall. Lord Tytos Lannister, Tywin's father, had been a kind but weak ruler. He loaned money to lords who never bothered to repay him and his vassals openly ignored his orders and mocked him in court. When Lord Reyne (known as the Red Lion of Castamere) and Lady Ellyn Tarbeck rose in rebellion, Tywin took it upon himself to deal with the rebellion and wiped out both of the upstart lords, their families and households and put their seats of power to the torch.

Some years later after the extinction of House Reyne when Lord Farman of Faircastle grew truculent, Lord Tywin sent an envoy bearing a lute instead of a letter to play “The Rains of Castamere” in Farman's hall, and the latter gave no further trouble.

In the novels, The Rains of Castamere and its story (as above) are first mentioned in Chapter 19 of Volume 3, A Storm of Swords, and the full lyrics are first provided in Chapter 39 of the same volume; the TV show uses that lyric without alteration.

See also

References