Members are:
Margaret Davis - lead singer and founder, Celtic harp, recorders, flute
Karl Franzen - guitar, vocals, bouzouki, melodeon, whistle, percussion
Kristoph Klover - vocals, 12-string guitar, octave mandolin, oboe
Kris Yenney - cello, vocals, viola da gamba, kamanche, percussion
Brocelïande has been touring and recording since 1999. Their first CD, "The Starlit Jewel" features musical settings of the poetry of J.R.R. Tolkien, with music by bestselling fantasy author Marion Zimmer Bradley and by bandmembers Kristoph Klover and Margaret Davis. This recording has been officially sanctioned by the Estate of J.R.R. Tolkien and HarperCollins Publishers. In 2006 Brocelïande completed their 4-CD "Songs of the Season" set, with each CD featuring music of one of the seasons: "Sir Christèmas," "Gathering May," "Barley Rigs," and "Jig of Life." Their CDs are on the Flowinglass Music label, and are distributed by Goldenrod Music, Serpentine Music, and Abyss Distribution.
The band took their name from the Medieval French spelling of the Forest of Brocelïande, which figures in French Arthurian legends as the site of many magical wonders and as the dwelling place of Merlin.
Children's Song from Dale
Brocelïande Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The King of carven stone,
The lord of silver fountains
Shall come into his own!
His crown shall be upholden,
His harp shall be restrung,
His halls shall echo golden
To songs of yore re-sung.
And grass beneath the sun:
His wealth shall flow in fountains
And the rivers golden run.
The streams shall run in gladness,
The lakes shall shine and burn,
All sorrow fail and sadness
At the Mountain-king's return!
The song "Children's Song from Dale" by Broceliande presents vivid imagery of the legendary "King beneath the mountains" who is associated with power, wealth, and music. The opening lines, "The King beneath the mountains, / The King of carven stone" suggests a sense of grandeur and majesty, as the king is depicted as a ruler of both the natural landscape and man-made stone structures such as castles or halls.
The following lines convey a sense of anticipation and celebration, as the king is said to be returning to his rightful place. The imagery of gold, silver, and music is repeated several times, emphasizing the king's wealth and artistic abilities. The use of the phrase "songs of yore re-sung" also suggest a connection to the past and the preservation of cultural heritage. The second stanza repeats these themes, with a focus on nature rejoicing at the king's return and the eradication of sadness and sorrow.
Overall, the song invokes a sense of wonder and awe towards a mythical figure who embodies both material wealth and cultural significance.
Line by Line Meaning
The King beneath the mountains,
The ruler hidden deep within the mountain,
The King of carven stone,
The king made of stone statue,
The lord of silver fountains
The master of shining water springs,
Shall come into his own!
He will reclaim his rightful place as king!
His crown shall be upholden,
His royal headgear shall be restored,
His harp shall be restrung,
His musical instrument is going to be tuned,
His halls shall echo golden
The corridors of his palace will resound with gold,
To songs of yore re-sung.
Ancient melodies will fill the air again.
The woods shall wave on mountains
The mountains will have trees swaying on them,
And grass beneath the sun:
Even the grass will bask and flourish under the sun spotlight.
His wealth shall flow in fountains
Revenues that he controls will flow forth from his fountains,
And the rivers golden run.
The streams will go all gold.
The streams shall run in gladness,
Streams will merrily flow,
The lakes shall shine and burn,
The shining bodies of water will dazzle,
All sorrow fail and sadness
All distress and melancholy will subside,
At the Mountain-king's return!
With the king's reappearance, the joy will return to his people.
Contributed by Aaron O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.