UNUSED CONCEPT:
Shore wrote several versions of the Flight to the Ford chase. Originally the piece concluded with a brief spate of stillness followed by mounting strings and chorus phrases (set to a text entitled “Flood at the Ford of Bruinen”) and a timpani statement of the Mordor Outline. This take was abandoned before the chorus was ever recorded. In its place, Shore recorded an ending that included a wild panic of aleatoric French horns heard just as the Wraiths reach the river’s edge.
In the film, Peter Jackson decided to use Shore’s first approach, but to dissolve the music as the river’s waters rushed in. (No attempt was ever made to record the choral line once it was decided that passage was not to be included in the final film.) “Pete liked the quiet,” Shore recalls, “just the sound of the standoff.” Heard on this CD is Shore’s preferred setting, including the French horns.
TEXTS
ARWEN’S PRAYER
Text by Philippa Boyens
FIRST HEARD: DISC TWO | TRACK THREE
What Grace is given me, let it pass to him. Let him be spared. Mighty Valar, save him.
(c) The Annotated Score (The Music of The Lord of the Rings Films)
Give Up the Halfling
Howard Shore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
text by PHILIPPA BOYENS
What grace has given me, let it pass to him.
Let him be spared.
Mighty Valar, protect him.
The lyrics to Howard Shore's song "Give Up the Halfling" are complex and layered with emotion, and the addition of Philippa Boyens' text "Arwen's Prayer" adds a new level of depth. In this particular section of the song, Arwen is pleading with the gods for protection over the hobbit, Frodo. She is asking for the grace and power that has been given to her to be passed on to Frodo, so that he may be spared from the dangers that lie ahead on his journey. The use of the words "pass" and "spared" really emphasize the idea of transfer and protection.
Arwen then specifically addresses the "Mighty Valar" which are the gods or deities in Tolkien's Middle-earth mythology. She is calling upon their power to protect Frodo and keep him safe. The use of the word "mighty" emphasizes the impressive strength and power of these deities. In this moment, Arwen is acknowledging that there are things beyond her control and is humbly asking for divine intervention to keep Frodo safe. Overall, the lyrics to "Give Up the Halfling" with the addition of "Arwen's Prayer" showcase the desperation and fear that characters in Middle-earth are experiencing during this tumultuous time.
Line by Line Meaning
What grace has given me, let it pass to him.
May the blessings I have received be bestowed upon him.
Let him be spared.
Please keep him safe from harm.
Mighty Valar, protect him.
Oh powerful gods, watch over and defend him.
Contributed by Asher T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@LittleRobin02
1:10. those 4 notes are perfect! It creates so much emotion. Beautiful!
@dannyz955
My sentiments exactly.
0:40 to 1:15 is the essence of this piece, I daresay it eclipses the chase by far.
There's also another version of the same part. https://youtu.be/XYsFd8qcbQk?t=40s
@WeirsBane
agreed....this is the part of this track i keep coming back to
@monicakiilehua2312
"Give up the Hafling, she-elf" "If you want him, come and claim him!" Love the way she replies to the nazgul!!!! Awesome...even though its not like that in the book :P
@Metallicerciful
And then the way they all draw their swords together. Its just a great scene overall.
@sailiealquadacil1284
I mean, they had to give her a storyline, build up the romance between her and Aragorn somehow. In the books, it's kinda like "and those to get married now". It's also one of the reasons I prefer the extended versions - I was really confused as to why Éowny was suddenly together with Faramir. Like wut.
@user-xz2vd5xn4y
Дрянь, отдавай мальчика!
С мягким знаком!
Да здравствует мыло душистое и полотенце пушистое, помойтесь ребята
@andrewburgemeister6684
“YOU SHALL NOT PASS!!” was “YOU CANNOT PASS!!” for a second refrain from Gandalf in the book which was awesome!!
Still get giddy with that famous line!!
@nupreme234
And they came to claim ,but found water steeds instead 😅
@tigerguy1013
Not only is this the greatest trilogy of all time, it has the greats soundtrack of all time