Glorfindel Elf-Lord

In The Lord of the Rings Glorfindel makes his first dramatic appearance to assist Frodo escape the pursuing Black Riders: turning the pursuit back on the pursuers and forcing them into the raging flood-waters of the Bruinen. Due to Glorfindel’s action the bodies of the Black Riders are destroyed and their spirits obliged to flee to Mordor to resume another corporeal guise.

But this is not Glorfindel’s first time on Middle Earth. Centuries ago Lord Glorfindel served the legendary King Turgon in the Hidden City of Gondolin: surviving the sack of of the city to flee with Prince Tuor & Princess Idril into the mountains. When the fleeing Noldori were ambushed traversing the narrow mountain pass Cirith Thoronath (“pass or cleft of the eagles”): Glorfindel engaged in a duel with a balrog who disputed their passage. The duel ended only when both combatants were dead: plummeting over the edge of the mountain still locked in combat.

Glorfindel’s spirit passed into the Hall of Mandos, whereupon he was pardoned: both his self-sacrifice at Cirith Thoronath, and the fact that he took no part in the kinslaying at Alqualondë counting in his favour. Glorfindel returned to Middle Earth, eventually taking up residence with Lord Elrond in Rivendell.

 

Lyrics & Melody

Imagine Dragons‘ Whatever it Takes provides a wonderful tune to commemorate Glorfindel’s  exploits. Whatever it Takes is an unusual song: its verses are sung in double-time, its first bridge in single-time, and its second bridge and chorus in half-time. So many different tempos within a single song!

Whatever it Takes is a good choice for songwriters needed plenty of words to craft a narrative: unusual with the modern music genre as a whole. The chorus repeats the words “whatever it takes” to emphasise the themes of personal courage, endurance and valour: qualities which Glorfindel had in spades.

Glorfindel is, of course, one of a plethora of Tolkien characters with solid hero potential: but as the the story and character of Glorfindel is something of a personal favourite, I choose to honour him in  this song.

I append the lyrics to Glorfindel Returns below:

Glorfindel Returns

V1:

Morgoth came too fast to prepare for this
Living in Midgard is now dangerous
Even Gondolin now had come to this
End is eminent. It’s disastrous.

Noldori are gathered on the city wall
Surrounded by the armies come to see it fall
Some could yet escape. Will I be the one?
I am Glorfindel. I was born for this.

Br1:

I’ve come back
From the Halls of Mandos
To serve along Elrond
From the halls of death I have returned to Midgard
By ship.
Now an elf-lord I rip
Darkness down when I strip
Off disguise revealing I’ve

Chorus:

Whatever it takes
Leading survivors cross the over-run Tumladen plains. I do
Whatever it takes
We will cross, the mountains. You will safety gain.
Whatever it takes
There’s a balrog on the path trying to stop us? I’m ready for
Whatever it takes.
Though I die, build a cairn over my remains.
I do what it takes.

V2:

Riders Black approaching close to Rivendell.
Drive them to the ford, all will yet be well.
Back on Middle Earth I’ve a tale to tell.
I will send the Nine all back into hell.

At the Bruinen the rapid waters rise
Riders cannot cross, although the Witch-King tries
Waters flooding come – every black steed dies
The Nine are unhorsed. Each to Mordor flies.

Br2:

Allegorical. It’s mythological.
It is symbolical. Also parabolical.
When we fight for the Right at whatever the cost
We are recovering a purpose which Today has lost.

For I am Glorfindel. When from the heights I fell
I gave my life in sacrifice to save Tuor & Idril.
Now I’m back. An elf-lord. With the power to be
To send the Nine Riders back flying to their sanctuary.

I will fight against Sauron and against the Black Throne.
When it’s over I’ll depart again for Elvenhome.
[pause]
I do what it takes.

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