Song themes

In this parody re-recording of Carnival of Rust by Poets of the Fall, Fingolfin recounts his leading of the Noldor across the dreaded Helcaraxë after their betrayal by Fëanor at the kin-slaying at Aqualondë.

Fingolfin succeeds to the High-Kingship of the Noldor after the death of Fëanor. World-weary – more sad but more wise – Fingolfin reflects upon the disastrous events that propelled the Noldor to take arms against Morgorth. At the end of the song Fingolfin gazes into the times to come to predict how the Doom of Mandos will affect future generations.

Song-recording

Carnival of Rust is a beautiful song: with a haunting melody that invites calm self-reflection on serious themes. The solo tenor carries the melody accompanied by classical guitar: full band backing is held back for the chorus and outro.

 

Lyrics

March of the Noldor

V1: (Fingolfin, Fëanor’s half-brother)

To Middle Earth we came
All the Noldor
Who survived the trek of ice from Valinor.
The one most to blame
Cursed fiery spirit
My half-brother, the high princeling Fëanor.

From Aqualondë, through Helcaraxë, we
Trekked our trail of misery.
My people froze, died; as onward we hied. See
All he did to us – and me.
Chorus:
So what did we gain?
Our exile from Elvenhome.
On Middle Earth to live and die with pain.
Before Angband
I beside my Noldor stand
Yet the Silmarils we can’t by force regain.

V2:

Fëanor is dead.
By the hand of balrogs
He was slain and died near Ethel Sirion.
I rule in his stead.
Now as the high-king of the Noldor
And our fight continues on.

We keep watch, survey, and wait for the day, when
Will advance the enemy.
The foe is too strong. We pay for our wrong. We –
And our sons through history.

Ch x2

Outro:

We can’t walk away. For we chose this way.
Ooh – though our world is burning.
We can’t run away. Here the Noldor stay.
Ooh – through the ages turning.
We can’t get away. For our sins we pay.
Ooh – but our hearts keep yearning –
We might get away. To return some day.
Ooh – is there no returning?

We can’t walk away. For we chose this way.
Ooh – though our world is burning.
We can’t run away. Here the Noldor stay.
Ooh – through the ages turning.

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