The Rains of Castamere
"The Rains of Castamere" is a song that immortalizes the destruction of House Reyne of Castamere by Tywin Lannister during the Reyne-Tarbeck revolt. Although House Tarbeck was likewise exterminated, it is not directly mentioned in the song.
Contents
Refrain
- “In a coat of gold or coat of red, a lion still has claws”
The gold lion sigil of House Lannister
The red lion sigil of House Reyne
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.[1]
History
Tytos Lannister, Lord of Casterly Rock, was perceived as weak by his own vassals, and House Reyne and House Tarbeck had long taken advantage of this. Tytos's eldest son and heir, Ser Tywin Lannister, was determined to restore Lannister dominance. In 261 AC, Tywin sent ravens to Tarbeck Hall and Castamere, demanding that they answer for their crimes at Casterly Rock. As Tywin had expected, Lord Roger and Ser Reynard Reyne, as well Lord Walderan and Lady Ellyn Tarbeck, rose in rebellion, renouncing their fealty to Casterly Rock. Without the permission of his father, Tywin marched against the upstart vassals with three thousand men-at-arms and crossbowmen and five hundred knights. The Lannister army first approached Tarbeck Hall, where Lady Ellyn Tarbeck closed her gates and sent ravens to Castamere to summon her brothers, Roger and Reynard Reyne.[2] According to a semi-canon source, when Ser Kevan Lannister approached under a peace banner to demand House Tarbeck's surrender, Lady Ellyn laughed at him, saying that her brothers were also lions, with claws as sharp as his.[3] Tywin had siege engines throw a huge boulder onto Tarbeck Hall, bringing it crashing down upon Lady Ellyn, and then had the castle put to the torch.[2]
Lord Roger Reyne, the "Red Lion of Castamere", arrived with his army in time to witness Tarbeck Hall aflame. Roger launched a surprise attack, but fell back due to the Lannister army's overwhelming numbers. Injured, Roger fled back to Castamere, where his younger brother Reynard led their people into the great mines beneath the castle, believing that Tywin could not possibly fight his way inside. When his people were all inside, Reynard sent terms for surrender to Tywin, stating that the Reynes would be loyal vassals in return for Tywin's brothers serving within Castamere as hostages. Tywin ignored Reynard's terms and instead ordered his men to seal the entrances of the mines. When all entrances were blocked with tons of stone, earth, and soil, leaving no way in or out, Tywin had his men dam a nearby stream and divert it to the nearest mine entrance. Water easily found its way through the tiny gaps in the rubble that blocked the mouth of the entrance. Lannister men stationed at the most distant entrances claimed they could hear faint screaming and shouting, but by daybreak, there was nothing but silence. None of the three hundred men, women, and children within ever emerged from the mines again.[2]
Afterwards, singers created a "rather gloomy" song to celebrate Tywin's victory and the obliteration of Houses Reyne and Tarbeck.[4] The lyrics heavily reference the fact that the sigils of House Lannister and House Reyne are both lions, though House Lannister's is golden and House Reyne's is red.[1] Lady Ellyn Tarbeck's words describing her brothers as lions, with "claws as long and sharp as yours",[3] were attributed to the "proud lord" of the song, Roger Reyne the Red Lion. Furthermore, the title and lyrics are a play on words, as the rains (Reynes) weep over the empty halls of the slaughtered Reynes of Castamere.[4][1]
Some years later, Lord Farman of Faircastle, a Lannister vassal, became belligerent. Lord Tywin sent him an envoy with a message, but instead of a letter, he brought a lute. Once "The Rains of Castamere" was played in his hall, Lord Farman reconsidered his position.[4]
Recent Events
A Storm of Swords
During the War of the Five Kings, Tyrion Lannister hears that House Westerling, Lannister vassals, have joined with rebel King Robb Stark after he married Jeyne Westerling. Tyrion wonders at this, thinking that the Crag is not far from the shattered remains of Tarbeck Hall and Castamere, and that the Westerlings might have heeded the lesson of the song. His father, Lord Tywin Lannister, replies that the Westerlings are well aware of Castamere.[4]
When Ser Jaime Lannister is captured by the Brave Companions, he threatens to sing a verse of "The Rains of Castamere" as a warning that his father Tywin will not react well to the turncloak sellsword Vargo Hoat.[5]
After the battle at the burning septry, the brotherhood without banners shelter in the septry's brewhouse while it storms. Tom of Sevenstreams sings several songs about rain, including "The Rains of Castamere".[1]
The wedding of Lord Edmure Tully and Roslin Frey is held at the Twins, attended by King Robb Stark, King in the North, his mother Catelyn Stark, most of his vassals, and his entire army. The wedding is meant to to symbolize the restoration of the alliance between House Stark and House Frey, broken earlier when Robb married Jeyne Westerling instead of his Frey betrothed.[6] However, the Starks are unaware that Lord Walder Frey and Lord Roose Bolton have plotted a betrayal with Tywin Lannister.[7] Lord Bolton and Lothar Frey have planned the wedding and betrayal in detail, including the song selection and placing crossbowmen among the musicians.[8] After the bedding ceremony, the musicians begin playing "The Rains of Castamere" as a signal for the forces of House Frey and House Bolton to turn on the Starks and Tullys and their bannermen and slaughter them. Lady Catelyn Stark recognizes the tune and is alarmed, but it is already far too late; as the song begins, so does the bloodbath that ends Robb's life and her own, as well as many of his vassals.[9] Outside the Twins, Arya Stark hears the song playing as she struggles to reach her family and sees the massacre of the soldiers outside.[10] With the Red Wedding and the death of Robb Stark, the rebellions of the north and the riverlands against the Iron Throne end.[7][11]
The song is performed by both Hamish the Harper and Collio Quaynis to honor Lord Tywin Lannister at the wedding feast of King Joffrey I Baratheon and Queen Margaery Tyrell. When Alaric of Eysen is about to perform, Lady Olenna Tyrell sarcastically comments she hopes for another rendition of the song to remember how it goes.[12]
A Feast for Crows
At the Water Gardens in Dorne, Obara Sand, angered at the death of her father Oberyn Martell, wishes she could kill Tywin Lannister while making him sing "The Rains of Castamere".[13]
Marillion sings the song while imprisoned in a sky cell at the Eyrie.[14]
Olenna Tyrell sarcastically comments she is disappointed that the Blue Bard does not sing "The Rains of Castamere" at the wedding feast of Margaery and King Tommen I Baratheon.[15]
At the siege of Riverrun, Ser Jaime Lannister has Tom of Sevenstreams play the song to the captive Lord Edmure Tully, to remind him what would happen to his family if he does not surrender Riverrun.[16]
A Dance with Dragons
Tyrion Lannister describes the song "Hands of Gold" to Penny, saying that it does not compare to "The Rains of Castamere", but some parts were good.[17]
Tyrion, a captive slave outside Meereen, sees another slave playing music on a bone flute, and almost wants to ask him if he knows "The Rains of Castamere".[18] Later, Tyrion bleakly wonders if he can play the song himself with his slave collar's bells.[19]
Game of Thrones
The first occurrence of "The Rains of Castamere" in the HBO television series Game of Thrones 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.[20] In the ninth episode of season 2, "Blackwater", Bronn sings the song with his men outside the Red Keep while drinking. Here, the song is featured in a more complete form. The song is also performed in the closing credits of the same episode by the indie rock band The National, sung by their vocalist Matt Berninger.[21][22] On the published tracklist of the soundtrack, the title is spelled "The Rains of Castomere" rather than "Castamere" as in the novels.[23] The music was written by Ramin Djawadi and the 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.[24] Cersei Lannister relays the history of the song to Margaery Tyrell in episode eight, "Second Sons".[25] In episode nine, "The Rains of Castamere", the famous song is performed by the musicians at the Twins to begin the Red Wedding.[26]
During episode two of season four, "The Lion and the Rose", the song is performed during the wedding feast of King Joffrey I Baratheon.[27] It is also performed in the end credits by the band Sigur Rós, whose band members portray the musicians within the episode.[28]
Quotes
You are not the only lions in the west, ser. My brothers are coming, and their claws are just as long and sharp as yours.[3]
Lord Tywin did not suffer disloyalty in his vassals. He had extinguished the proud Reynes of Castamere and the ancient Tarbecks of Tarbeck Hall root and branch when he was still half a boy. The singers had even made a rather gloomy song of it.[4]
—thoughts of Tyrion Lannister
No one sang the words, but Catelyn knew "The Rains of Castamere" when she heard it.[9]
—thoughts of Catelyn Stark
For once the same song was coming from both castles. I know this song, Arya realized suddenly. Tom o' Sevens had sung it for them, that rainy night the outlaws had sheltered in the brewhouse with the brothers. And who are you, the proud lord said, that I must bow so low?[10]
—thoughts of Arya Stark
Alaric of Eysen. I do so hope he plays 'The Rains of Castamere.' It's been an hour, I've forgotten how it goes.[12]
Doran: Obara, look at the children, if it please you.
Obara: It does not please me. I'd get more pleasure from driving my spear into Lord Tywin's belly. I'll make him sing 'The Rains of Castamere' as I pull his bowels out and look for gold.[13]—Doran Martell and Obara Sand
Here I am on the wrong side of the world, wearing a slave collar with little golden bells to announce my coming. If I dance just right, maybe I can ring "The Rains of Castamere."[19]
—thoughts of Tyrion Lannister
References and Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 39, Arya VII.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The Seven Kingdoms: The Westerlands (House Lannister Under the Dragons).
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 The World of Ice & Fire: The Westerlands (unabridged). georgerrmartin.com
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 19, Tyrion III.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 21, Jaime III.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 49, Catelyn VI.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 53, Tyrion VI.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Epilogue.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 51, Catelyn VII.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 52, Arya XI.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 54, Davos V.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 60, Tyrion VIII.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 2, The Captain Of Guards.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 10, Sansa I.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 12, Cersei III.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 38, Jaime VI.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 33, Tyrion VIII.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 47, Tyrion X.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 57, Tyrion XI.
- ↑ Game of Thrones, Season 2, "The North Remembers".
- ↑ Game of Thrones, Season 2, "Blackwater".
- ↑ "‘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.
- ↑ Game of Thrones, Season 3, "Dark Wings, Dark Words".
- ↑ Game of Thrones, Season 3, "Second Sons".
- ↑ Game of Thrones, Season 3, "The Rains of Castamere".
- ↑ Game of Thrones, Season 4, "The Lion and the Rose".
- ↑ "Listen: Sigur Rós’ cover of "The Rains of Castamere" for Game of Thrones". Consequence of Sound. April 13, 2014. http://consequenceofsound.net/2014/04/listen-sigur-ros-cover-of-the-rains-of-castamere-for-game-of-thrones/.