Lady of Goldenwood
Dragonland Lyrics


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[Music: Mörck, Holmlid; Lyrics: Mörck]

["The eldest sages of our kin say that the seeds of Val'inthor were stars that came to fall even before the birth of the sun. For one who has gazed upon the majesty of the Elder Tree, who have heard the playful laughter of our kin sounding through the open sylvan glades or seen the ivory robes that my daughter bears within these lands, such myth may readily seem as truth. For although Duviel, my beloved daughter joyfully wore the studded leather garments of elven scouts she was the queen of our kind"]

Midwood in autumn moon
Dawning upon silver dew
shimmering like fireflies
and golden leaves from up high
striding up to me

The lady of goldenwood
in shrouds of pearls and palest white
though she bears the mark of the wilds
She is the queen of her kind

["Among the highest branches, above the temple alcoves my youngest daughter, the elven princess Sariel, often sat and sang hymns and ballads of olden lore and was little concerned with the heavy burden bestowed upon her family. Her favourite song was that of the magical ivory flutes of Niaranden, the Naiden children - the elfkind"]

Sung by flutes of ivory
notes soar round the elder tree
stairs ascending to far up high
where golden leaves kiss the sky

The lady of goldenwood
in shrouds of pearls and palest white
though she bears the mark of the wilds
She is the queen of her kind

For the longest time we expected you Ilamrion, "Islander".
Your story planted with the very seeds of Val'inthor
On our journey I answered you with only silence,
For the ever present shadow scoured the valleys and moors
Asking your name.

Man will rise as one under the First-born's law,
unholy war brings to demise to elf and dwarf
Second-born from the shores beyond,
in his sacrifice a prophecy is undone

When night retrests,
Thousands have fallen on ivory ground
Dragon Son,
there can be only one

The lady of goldenwood
with words of death and palest gloom




And now as I leave her behind,
She remains in my mind

Overall Meaning

The song "Lady of Goldenwood" by Dragonland takes us to an imaginary world that is steeped deeply in folklore and myth. The song talks about a queen of the elven kind who is seen as a royalty and is adorned in shrouds of pearls and palest white, although she appears to be wild at heart. Through the lyrics, we can understand how the very seeds of Val'inthor were once stars that fell even before the birth of the sun. The eldest sages of their kin believe that myth to be true, and one can see that the princess is the queen of their kind, even though she joyfully wore the studded leather garments of elven scouts. Among the highest branches, above the temple alcoves, the elven princess Sariel, often sat and sang hymns and ballads of olden lore.


Dragonland showcases the enchanting beauty of the Goldenwood, where the Midwood in autumn moon shimmers like fireflies and golden leaves from up high, striding up to them. Through the music and lyrics, they transport us to this magical land, where we see a beautiful transformation that nature undergoes during autumn. The lady of Goldenwood is portrayed as a queen who rules the wild with her grace, wisdom, and strength. We see her as an enigmatic and mysterious figure giving life to the forest, endowing it with a sense of ancient wisdom.


The song illustrates the cycle of life and the struggle for control through various characters such as Dragon Son, Second-born from the shores beyond, unparalleled conflicts between elves and dwarves, and even prophesies that are undone by sacrifices. Lady of Goldenwood is a beautiful manifestation of mythical elements and vivid storytelling, transcending the limitations of reality.


Line by Line Meaning

Midwood in autumn moon
Describing the season and setting, the forest during an autumn night


Dawning upon silver dew
The autumn moon is rising as dew drops glisten in the night


Shimmering like fireflies
The moon gives the shimmering effect in the surroundings with a similar glow to that of fireflies


And golden leaves from up high
Referring to the leaves on the trees of the forest which are seen from above while standing underneath


Striding up to me
Personifying the forest, as if it were walking up to the listener


The lady of goldenwood
Referring to the queen of the forest


In shrouds of pearls and palest white
She is described wearing beautiful and elegant clothes reminiscent of pearls that are pale in color, evoking the feeling of purity


Though she bears the mark of the wilds
Despite being part of the natural world, she is still regal and graceful


She is the queen of her kind
She is the leader of the forest's creatures


Sung by flutes of ivory
Evoking music being played on the white flute


Notes soar around the elder tree
The notes of the flute float through the forest surrounding the largest or 'elder' tree


Stairs ascending to far up high
The tree's branches act as stairs climbing up to heights beyond earthly bounds, perhaps reflecting a spiritual ascension


Where golden leaves kiss the sky
The golden leaves touch the sky breaking up into the heavens


For the longest time we expected you Ilamrion, "Islander".
Ilamrion was anticipated for some time, and the moniker made clear with the use of quotation marks


Your story planted with the very seeds of Val'inthor
Ilamrion's presence is connected to Val'inthor in some way - being connected to the origin of the forest


On our journey I answered you with only silence
Ilamrion's queries went unaddressed by the elves


For the ever present shadow scoured the valleys and moors
The dwarf and human conflict raged on leaving the landscape in darkness


Asking your name.
Conclusion of the act of silence by acknowledging that Ilamrion hasn't yet introduced themselves


Man will rise as one under the First-born's law,
Referring either to the dawn of the human race, or the First-born as the leader of the elves about to arise


Unholy war brings to demise to elf and dwarf
A terrible war that causes the destruction and suffering of elves and dwarves


Second-born from the shores beyond,
The arrival of a Second-born that comes from the hinterland


In his sacrifice a prophecy is undone
His death will undo a prophecy of future events


When night retrests,
At the end of the night


Thousands have fallen on ivory ground
Ivory ground could be a metaphor for bones, describing the death of many people as the conflict ends


Dragon Son,
Referring to the new leader or Dragon Son that will emerge from the ashes of the conflict


There can be only one
There is only room for one essential, pivotal leader of the people


The lady of goldenwood
Returning to the image of the forest queen from before


With words of death and palest gloom
Describing language that is gloomy and speaks of death, which could be her giving her blessings or warnings to the new ruler


And now as I leave her behind,
The artist is moving away, perhaps indicating that the narrative has come to a conclusion


She remains in my mind
Reiterating that the image, presence, and influence of the forest queen will stay with the singer




Contributed by Grace K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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