Lyrics for Duel of the Fates...
Holonet
well as some various other information on its sanskrit, taken from
TheForce.net.
Enjoy!
-Holonet
*****
More on DOTF Sanskrit
Sat, May 29, 99 05:16:34 PM CST
This just in from Patrick Reyes who says this about our update with the
"Duel of the Fates" English translation of "Battle of the Trees:"
I just read your translation of the DOTF lyrics...but, I recently bought the
sheet music to DOTF and the lyrics are as follows:
Korah Matah Korah Rahtahmah
Korah Rahtamah Yoodhah Korah
Korah Syahdho Rahtahmah Daanyah
Korah Keelah Daanyah
Nyohah Keelah Korah Rahtahmah
Syadho Keelah Korah Rahtahmah
Korah Daanyah Korah Rahtahmah
Korah Daanyah Korah Rahtahmah
Nyohah Keelah Korah Rahtahmah
Syadho Keelah Korah Rahtahmah
Korah
Korah Matah Korah Rahtahmah
Korah Daanyah Korah Rahtahmah
Nyohah Keelah Korah Rahtahmah
Syadho Keelah Korah Rahtahmah
Korah
So how did they get that poem squeezed into 9 different words?
Here's the answer from Baer:
"Under the tongue root a fight most dread, and another raging, behind, in
the head."
Williams apparently translated just that one line. That would explain the
repetition in the translation. It is a very significant line since it
alludes to how the duel is fought on more than one level two of them being
the Jedi vs. the Sith and the Trade Federation vs. Naboo.
Well, there you have it, the sanskrit to DOTF. Enjoy as you listen to the CD
on your computer.
_____
DOTF Sanskrit
Fri, May 28, 99 10:14:00 PM CST
Mary Hines points us to an old Celtic poem entitled "CAD GODDEU - The Battle
of the Trees." It was used for the sanskrit choral passage in the "Duel of
the Fates." This is confirmed by the latest issue of The Star Wars Insider
Official Magazine, in an interview with John Williams. Here's the
translation in English, and be sure to read the article on Williams for more
insight into these words:
The tops of the beech tree have sprouted of late, are changed and renewed
from their withered state.
When the beech prospers, though spells and litanies the oak tops entangle,
there is hope for trees.
I have plundered the fern, through all secrets I spy, Old Math ap Mathonwy
knew no more than I.
For with nine sorts of faculty God has gifted me, I am fruit of fruits
gathered from nine sorts of tree -
Plum, quince, whortle, mulberry, respberry, pear, black cherry and white,
with the sorb in me share.
From my seat at Fefynedd, a city that is strong, I watched the trees and
green things hastening along.
Retreating from happiness they would fein be set in forms of the chief
letters of the alphabet.
Wayfarers wandered, warriors were dismayed at renewal of conflicts such as
Gwydion made;
Under the tongue root a fight most dread, and another raging, behind, in the
head.
The alders in the front line began the affray. Willow and rowan-tree were
tardy in array.
The holly, dark green, made a resolute stand; he is armed with many
spear-points wounding the hand.
With foot-beat of the swift oak heaven and earth rung; "Stout Guardian of
the Door", his name in every tongue.
Great was the gorse in battle, and the ivy at his prime; the hazel was
arbiter and this charmed time.
Uncouth and savage was the fir, cruel the ash tree - turns not aside a
foot-breadth, straight at the heart runs he.
The birch, though very noble, armed himself but late: a sign not of
cowardice but of high estate.
The heath gave consolation to the toil-spent folk, the long-enduring poplars
in battle much broke.
Some of them were cast away on the field of fight because of holes torn in
them by the enemy's might.
Very wrathful was the vine whose henchmen are the elms; I exalt him mightily
to rulers of realms.
Strong chieftains were the blackthorn with his ill fruit, the unbeloved
whitethorn who wears the same suit.
The swift-pursuing reed, the broom with his brood, and the furse but
ill-behaved until he is subdued.
The dower-scattering yew stood glum at the fight's fringe, with the elder
slow to burn amid fires that singe.
And the blessed wild apple laughing in pride from the Gorchan of Maeldrew,
by the rock side.
In shelter linger privet and woodbine, inexperienced in warefare, and the
courtly pine.
But I, although slighted because I was not big, Fought, trees, in your array
on the field of Goddeu Brig.
Expect an update on this with more information soon!
Rimrunner
Holonet <Hol...@worldnet.att.net> wrote:
>As I saw one person request it, here are the lyrics for Duel of the Fates as
>well as some various other information on its sanskrit, taken from
>TheForce.net.
Thanks!
[snip]
>Mary Hines points us to an old Celtic poem entitled "CAD GODDEU - The Battle
>of the Trees." It was used for the sanskrit choral passage in the "Duel of
I've never read this poem but there are a few things in it I recognize
from having read a bit of Welsh myth.
[snip]
>I have plundered the fern, through all secrets I spy, Old Math ap Mathonwy
>knew no more than I.
Math was a king of some area in Wales--Dyfed or Gwynedd or something--well
known for his intelligence and cleverness.
[snip]
>Wayfarers wandered, warriors were dismayed at renewal of conflicts such as
>Gwydion made;
In Welsh myth Gwydion is a trickster and manipulator, going around
stealing things or turning things into other things.
[snip]
>The alders in the front line began the affray. Willow and rowan-tree were
>tardy in array.
Celtic myth in general makes a lot of reference to trees. Willow and rowan
have certain magical associations. Also you can use willow bark to make
aspirin.
[snip]
The rest of this reads like some kind of allegory. I would hazard a guess
that all of the descriptions of the trees and their actions were
references to people or groups involved in some conflict. Either that or
it's a memory game.
The most well-known body of Welsh myth is the Mabinogion, available in
several translations, including a nicely illustrated children's edition
that contains the four most well-known stories. IIRC, these stories were
written down in the Middle Ages, though the original tales are older and I
think predate Christianity.
Those who've read Lloyd Alexander's children's series, the Chronicles of
Prydain, will recognize certain characters: Gwydion, Math, Pryderi, and
Arawn all appear in the Mabinogion, though their personalities are often
very different (frex, Arawn is still the lord of the dead, but not nearly
as scary or obscure as he is in Alexander's novels). Also the story of
Dallben and the cauldron from "The Foundling" is from a Welsh myth
involving the goddess Cerridwen (Orddu, Orwen, and Orgoch from the novels
seem to be a composite of Cerridwen and possibly the Morrigan) and her two
sons.
Rimrunner
ramble mode off
--
Murder of Crows: http://www.nwlink.com/~noah CD AVAIL, E-MAIL FOR INFO
"Country music used to represent horses, railroads, land, judgement day,
family, hard times, whiskey, courtship, marriage, adultery, separatism,
murder, war, prison, rambling, damnation, home, salvation, death, pride,
humor, piety, rebellion, patriotism, larceny, determination, tragedy,
rowdiness, heartbreak, love, mother, and God." -- Johnny Cash
Be Tranced
interesting stuff. Mythology in general =)