Difference between revisions of "The Rains of Castamere"
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==Origins== | ==Origins== | ||
− | [[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' son, [[Tywin]], marched against the upstart [[Red Lion of Castamere]]. 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, and "not a soul to hear". | + | [[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' son, [[Tywin]], marched against the upstart Lord of Castamere, the [[Red Lion of Castamere|Red Lion]]. 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, and "not a soul to hear".{{Ref|asos|19}} |
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 civil war 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 civil war 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". 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. | + | 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". 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.{{Ref|asos|60}} |
==Appearance at the Red Wedding== | ==Appearance at the Red Wedding== |
Revision as of 03:09, 4 January 2014
The Rains of Castamere is a song which immortalizes the destruction of House Reyne by Tywin Lannister.
Contents
Origins
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' son, Tywin, marched against the upstart Lord of Castamere, the Red Lion. 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, and "not a soul to hear".[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 civil war 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". 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.[2]
Appearance at the Red Wedding
The song is featured most prominently during the events of the infamous Red Wedding during A Storm of Swords. 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; as the song starts, as does the bloodbath that ends the life of King Robb Stark and Lady Catelyn.
Refrain
- 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.[3]
Major performances
- It was played by envoy by Lord Tywin Lannister to truculent House Farman of Faircastle. It was enough to make Lord Farman reconsider his position.
- It is played at the Red Wedding, a signal to start the bloodbath that ends the life of King Robb Stark and ends his rebellion.
- It is played numerous times at the wedding feast of Joffrey Baratheon and Margaery Tyrell.
- Jaime Lannister has Tom of Sevenstreams play it to the captive Edmure Tully to remind him what would happen to his family if he does not surrender Riverrun.
Game of Thrones
The first occurrence of "The Rains of Castamere" in the HBO television series is in episode one of season two, "The North Remembers", when Tyrion Lannister whistles the refrain as he enters the small council for the first time. In the episode 9 scene in which Bronn drinks and sings with his men outside the Red Keep, the song is featured in a more complete form. The song is performed in the closing credits of episode nine, "Blackwater", by the indie rock band The National, sung by their vocalist Matt Berninger.[4] On the published tracklist of the soundtrack, the title is spelled "The Rains of Castomere" rather than "Castamere" as in the novels.[5] The music was written by Ramin Djawadi and and lyrics by George R.R. Martin.
During episode two of season three, "Dark Wings, Dark Words", Thoros of Myr sings "The Rains of Castamere" when the Brotherhood Without Banners finds Arya Stark. Cersei Lannister relays the history of the song to Margaery Tyrell in episode eight, "Second Sons". In episode nine, "The Rains of Castamere", the famous song is performed by the musicians at the Twins to begin the Red Wedding.
Quotes
References and Notes
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 19, Tyrion III.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 60, Tyrion VIII.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 39, Arya
- ↑ "‘Game of Thrones’ Season 2 Soundtrack Details". Film Music Reporter. 24 May 2012. http://filmmusicreporter.com/2012/05/23/game-of-thrones-season-2-soundtrack-details/. Retrieved 24 May 2012.
- ↑ Lamar, Cyriaque (24 May 2012). "Listen to The National's new Lannister-happy song from The Game of Thrones soundtrack". io9. http://io9.com/5913172/listen-to-the-nationals-new-lannister+happy-song-from-the-game-of-thrones-soundtrack. Retrieved 25 May 2012.