And they sang as they slew

From Numenor to Far Harad...

Moderators: caedmon, Greg

Post Reply
User avatar
Eofor
Haeropada
Posts: 789
Joined: Sun Mar 22, 2020 11:40 am

And they sang as they slew

Post by Eofor »

And the hosts of Mordor wailed, and terror took them, and they fled, and died, and the hoofs of wrath rode over them. And then all the host of Rohan burst into song, and they sang as they slew, for the joy of battle was on them, and the sound of their singing that was fair and terrible came even to the City.
I have often pondered this small passage and wondered what and how exactly the Rohirrim sang in battle before the walls of Gondor. Fortunately in a small excerpt from the new Battle of Maldon translation and it’s sister piece The homecoming of Beorhtnoth Christopher Tolkien reveals that his father had at some stage written down some tentative lyrics but they had missed the final edit.
The lyrics seem oddly familiar though perhaps that is just due to my own study of Anglo Saxon poetry. Regardless there can be no doubt that it would make a rousing song and one likely to be appropriated by other (less talented in the arts) races.


Riders of the Mark rejoice!
Swing, swing, swing with me
Draw your swords and raise your voice!
Sing, sing, sing with me
Down we charge into the fray
Who knows if we'll win the day?
Trolls and goblins, Orcs, and more
Hosts of foes ten thousand score

We fear no dark, Gondor calls and so we come
Sons of the Mark, charging with the rising sun
Shields in our hands, swords at our side
No rest until the city’s free
Come on brothers, ride with me!
I'm on a horse and I'm killing some orcs
Killing, killing Orcs, Killing, killing Orcs
I'm on a horse and I'm killing some orcs
Killing, killing Orcs, Killing, killing Orcs

We ride to strike a mighty blow
Before the gates, upon the plain
See the foeman? Lay him low!
Arrows fill the sky like rain
So draw your sword and spur your steed!
Rohan rides to Gondor's need!
A harvest grim of heads we reap
Sons of Eorl our oaths we keep!
Hooves churn the ground, warhorns ring out in the gloom
Servants of the eye; the Pelennor shall be your tomb
Face us on the battlefield; you will meet your doom
So hear your death and hear us sing
Forward now for Theoden king

I'm on a horse and I'm killing some orcs
Killing, killing Orcs, Killing, killing Orcs
I'm on a horse and I'm killing some orcs
Killing, killing Orcs, Killing, killing Orcs
I'm on a horse and I'm killing some orcs
Killing, killing Orcs, Killing, killing Orcs
I'm on a horse and I'm killing some orcs
Killing, killing Orcs, Killing, killing Orcs

We fear no dark, Gondor calls and so we come
Sons of the Mark, charging with the rising sun
Shields in our hands, swords at our side
No rest until the cities free
Come on brothers, ride with me!
I'm on a horse and I'm killing some orcs
Killing, killing Orcs, Killing, killing Orcs
I'm on a horse and I'm killing some orcs
Killing, killing Orcs, Killing, killing Orcs
I'm on a horse and I'm killing some orcs
Killing, killing Orcs, Killing, killing Orcs
I'm on a horse and I'm killing some orcs
Killing, killing Orcs, Killing, killing Orcs….
Last edited by Eofor on Sun Mar 26, 2023 2:35 am, edited 1 time in total.
But the white fury of the Northmen burned the hotter, and more skilled was their knighthood with long spears and bitter. Fewer were they but they clove through the Southrons like a fire-bolt in a forest.
User avatar
Greg
Urush bithî 'nKi ya-nam bawâb
Posts: 4496
Joined: Tue Dec 02, 2008 8:50 pm
Location: Eriador; Central Indiana

Re: And they sang as they slew

Post by Greg »

Love this! I've always pricked up at that line when reading, too.

That being said...I'm now hearing "I'm on a horse and I'm killing some orcs" loosely to the tune of "Diggy diggy hole."
Now the sword shall come from under the cloak.
User avatar
Elleth
êphal ki-*raznahê
Posts: 2932
Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2010 5:26 am
Location: in the Angle; New England

Re: And they sang as they slew

Post by Elleth »

ME TOO.

I think Eofor is pulling our leg. :mrgreen:


(....or the Professor was far sighted indeed!)
Persona: Aerlinneth, Dúnedain of Amon Lendel c. TA 3010.
User avatar
Cimrandir
Haeropada
Posts: 938
Joined: Thu Oct 07, 2010 2:44 am

Re: And they sang as they slew

Post by Cimrandir »

I’m suspicious… :x
Persona : Cimrandir - late 3rd Age Dunedain
User avatar
Iodo
Thangailhir
Posts: 2112
Joined: Mon Sep 25, 2017 5:58 pm
Location: North west england UK
Contact:

Re: And they sang as they slew

Post by Iodo »

and me, I thought this before I read the comments

Eofor wrote: Wed Mar 22, 2023 6:36 am I'm on a horse and I'm killing some orcs
Killing, killing Orcs, Killing, killing Orcs
I'm on a horse and I'm killing some orcs
Killing, killing Orcs, Killing, killing Orcs
I am a dwarf and I'm digging a hole
Diggy, diggy hole, diggy, diggy hole
I am a dwarf and I'm digging a hole
Diggy, diggy hole, digging a hole

...hmmm... the similarities' are, uncanny??? :lol:
Gimli: It's true you don't see many Dwarf-women. And in fact, they are so alike in voice and appearance, that they are often mistaken for Dwarf-men.
Aragorn: It's the beards.
User avatar
Eofor
Haeropada
Posts: 789
Joined: Sun Mar 22, 2020 11:40 am

Re: And they sang as they slew

Post by Eofor »

Ahem... well yes....

As I am off on an adventure next week I may have concocted some early April tomfoolery. I hope it at least bought a smile.

Though I can confirm that at least one Ranger (after only a brief scan of the lyrics) was fooled for longer than they should have been.
But the white fury of the Northmen burned the hotter, and more skilled was their knighthood with long spears and bitter. Fewer were they but they clove through the Southrons like a fire-bolt in a forest.
User avatar
Iodo
Thangailhir
Posts: 2112
Joined: Mon Sep 25, 2017 5:58 pm
Location: North west england UK
Contact:

Re: And they sang as they slew

Post by Iodo »

Eofor wrote: Sun Mar 26, 2023 2:34 am Ahem... well yes....

As I am off on an adventure next week I may have concocted some early April tomfoolery. I hope it at least bought a smile.

Though I can confirm that at least one Ranger (after only a brief scan of the lyrics) was fooled for longer than they should have been.

It certainly did bring a smile, I think we should make it canon LOL
Gimli: It's true you don't see many Dwarf-women. And in fact, they are so alike in voice and appearance, that they are often mistaken for Dwarf-men.
Aragorn: It's the beards.
User avatar
Thalion of Bree
Dúnadan
Posts: 87
Joined: Fri Sep 02, 2022 2:55 pm

Re: And they sang as they slew

Post by Thalion of Bree »

Love me some early April tomfoolery
-Thalion, Thontaur's son
User avatar
Togon
Dúnadan
Posts: 74
Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2022 4:52 am

Re: And they sang as they slew

Post by Togon »

Eofor, that song is seriously metal.
‘If by your carelessness you wish to do our enemies work then you may as well carry one of his brands’
Post Reply