"Immortal Words"
New Album Out Now!
Bardsman’s ringing steel string ukulele combined with steady drums and backed by a cinematic orchestra captures the magic of fantasy in a modern, Celtic-rock blend of storytelling music.
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Immortal Words - Released November 15th, 2024
Inspired by the Stormlight Archive written by Brandon Sanderson, “Immortal Words” is a 10-song LP that delves into the world of each order of the Knight’s Radiant. From Kaladin to Shallan, Dalinar to Szeth, every song tells the story of these characters while expressing the ideals and principles unique to each order. Fantasy readers, rejoice!
I. ON MY HONOR
Windrunner (5:55)
SYNOPSIS
Hello my friends! This is the first of 10 songs I’ve written based on the Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson. His works are amazing and have affected me deeply, as I’m sure many of you can relate. I hope these songs help you feel closer to his work in some measure, though they are not the most polished. Everything you hear was done just by me alone and I am not a jack of all trades – I am primarily a drummer / percussionist. But I love song writing so I can’t help but put songs together and attempt to sing them. I hope you enjoy!
Kaladin, as with the first book, seemed like the natural first place to start as I began writing these songs. I wanted each song to be its own interpretation of the ideals of each radiant order. And I wanted a character with which to convey those ideals.
This song starts out with thunder crackling and what feels like war drums. Those big percussive hits at the beginning I wanted to sound like a call to arms, the sound of an impending battle on the horizon. The shattered plains are riddled with constant battle and the bridgemen are caught in the crosshairs, not able to fight for themselves but rather to be sacrificed in the aim of potential victory.
I picked a very specific soundscape for each song. For “On My Honor”, I wanted an instrument to represent a surge. Windrunners carry the surges of Gravitation and Adhesion. Gravitation is flighty, lives on the winds and soars the skies. I picked a flute to convey that sound of lightness and flight which you can hear in the intro and in the choruses, and a little on the bridge.
Adhesion is Honor’s truest surge, the surge that binds and holds things together. This is the most honorable surge to me and the most honorable instrument in my eyes is the french horn. Now I picked an exclusively Celtic sample pack for all the extra instruments I can pull in. The closest ancient Celtic instrument I could find to compare to a french horn is a Dord. That’s the horn you hear on the choruses.
As the song progresses, we move through Kaladin’s inner thoughts as he is first branded a slave to work the plains, bonds with his bridgemen, then has to tackle the depression and helplessness he feels trying to save everyone. The bridge of the song is the moment he considers jumping into the honor chasm. But he pulls himself out and clings to his newly discovered oaths as we come out of the bridge. I hope this song makes you feel both like you are soaring high while also simultaneously being dragged down by the burdens of life, only to break free once again and fly the skies. Life is a beautiful and sometimes confusing blend of multiple emotions – both joy and sadness coexisting in our souls as we continue with hope and confidence that we can always keep trying, no matter what.
V1 (A, Cadd9)
Though the windspren never leaves me
These shattered plains defeat me
I thought I could protect these souls
But I failed
I always hoped they were above this
But those I trusted were the worst of it
This story will be told again
Though I fall
PreCH (G, G#maj7, A7, etc)
CH1 (G, A, A-octC#)
The most important rule unknown
Immortal words, a binding oath
From broken heart, a thought untold
On my honor, on my soul
On my honor, on my soul
V2 (A, Cadd9)
Survived another weeping
Although my soul is bleeding
This bridge run has left its mark
On my heart
Hold my brothers as they’re dying
Abandoned by the lighteyed
To these I commit my life
At all costs
PreCH (G, G#maj7, A7, etc)
CH2 (G, A, A-octC#)
PreCH (G, G#maj7, A7, etc)
BRIDGE (Gsus2, A)
And yet nothing I can do will keep them safe
The wretch is taking me
All my brothers in arms I’ve saved in vain
Why do I remain?
Oh please don’t forsake me
Oh Syl, keep me from forsaking me
INTERLUDE (A, Em7, Cm, Em7, A7)
Storm of my breath
Lend me your strength
Life before death
But is this my path?
Storm of my breath
Lend me your strength
Life before death
These are my words, this is my path – I accept
I accept
CH3 x2 (G, A, A-octC#)
II. TRUTHLESS
Skybreaker (3:50)
SYNOPSIS
One of the most interesting characters to me is Szeth. Here’s a dude who is very complex and unfortunately tragic. I respect the heck out of Szeth trying to do the fair thing in the end. Now, he’s done some horrible things but he’s only ever desired to do what is correct, imperfectly as that is interpreted by him and his people and some of their practices (still a lot to learn in book 5 here but from what we know so far).
Skybreakers get a lot of crap, but I’ve always sympathized a little bit with the letter of the law approach. It’s not perfect, but neither is the Honor focused approach our Windrunners are inclined to (just look at Lasting Integrity). Balance in all things is important and I think it’s pivotal to have some kind of standards that we adhere to that are finitely defined to give us stability and order.
Szeth is a guy who got caught in the middle of some tragic circumstances and traditions. He reminds me of our veterans who have also been put into some impossibly difficult situations where making the perfect moral choice is complicated. We also see Szeth plagued by PTSD from his past. I am grateful to those who wade in these challenging waters so many of us don’t have to.
This song, while probably the most catchy and single-worthy of these songs I’ve written, aims to capture that loss of innocence and the spiraling propulsion towards adulthood and having to make peace with difficult choices. It’s a little sad, a little emo, but so we all are at times (to some extent). I hope we can feel some empathy for our boy Szeth and those who are trying to do the right thing in tragic situations. We’ve all been there and have some measure of regret, confusion, or lack of assurance in our past choices. But we can take solace knowing that there’s always the future where we can try to do better by ourselves and by others, like Szeth is trying to do.
V1 (Am, C, G)
As he who adds,
Carried water on my fathers farm
Amid our valley,
Sheltered from the eastern storms
I miss those days of old, living such a simple life
What happened to my simple life?
PreCH (Am, C, G)
I was trained with the blade,
A keeper of secrets
Heard a voice in my head,
A return of the ancients?
Made known my mind
An errant mistake
Truthless became my name
CH1 (Am+a3, Am7, e3+a5)
I’m wide awake
But tired of waking up
I hear their screams at night
thinking of the things I’ve done
Am I absolved
Or can you solve my sins
Let Justice take its course
Don’t leave me to myself again
Oh no
Don’t leave me to myself again
V2 (Am, C, G)
In a foreign land
No honor for the sacred stone
Bound to do their will
Yet I’m the one disgraced the most
The least of humankind
A warrior beneath the slave
Depraved beyond all other slaves
PreCH (Am, C, G)
Commanded to act,
First the servant of merchants
Then the death of a king
Brought down by my own hand
Clothed in light
Assassin in white
Led princedoms to their end
CH2 (Am+a3, Am7, e3+a5)
BRIDGE (E, F, F+a3)
Enslaved by tradition
The people’s volition
Assassin
Dead pawn of the masses
Reborn from the ashes
Madness
Now sworn to the Bondsmith
A choice of my own will
I will
CH3 (Am+a3, Am7, e3+a5)
Cleanse this land
The hand of vengeance calls
The guilty stand to fall
CH4 (Am+a3, Am7, e3+a5)
III. ENEMY
Dustbringer (4:39)
SYNOPSIS
I broke the rules a little bit here as this should be a song centered around an actual Dustbringer, but the only one we know jack squat about is Malata. I started with her in mind but couldn’t really get it to take off. So I changed course and decided to make a song about The Diagram and Taravangian, both of which fairly capture the feeling of danger and secret strategy whilst executing a deadly plan with shockingly effective results from a person who is morally corrupted.
Oddly enough, I’m not too interested in writing songs about my own feelings, but I am very interested in telling stories or exploring other viewpoints. “Enemy” was a special challenge because I find some of the ideas portrayed (while practically understandable) pretty detestable by my own worldview.
The core of the lyrics I came up with in this song challenge those who have dubbed Taravangian an enemy of humankind because his methods are morally malnourished – being the very definition of “by any means necessary” or “the ends justify the means”. Like Dalinar, I (and many of us) take some issue with that line of reasoning from a moral standpoint, but I find value in exploring and debating the ideas to better understand my own belief and commitment to what I think is a better approach.
The interesting thing with Taravangian (and even Sadeas) is that you can see the effectiveness of their results. To challenge their approach, you must attack it with a strong sense of conviction and morality.
To depict the chaos and stratagem that the diagram and Taravangian present, I wanted a song written in a somewhat chaotic way, but executed with a level of instrumental mastery befitting of a Dustbringer who seeks ultimate improvement of the self. I wrote the song in 5/4 time to get the feel of this, with a drum beat that actually alternates and loops every 2 measures. If you try to count it right off the bat, it can be confusing, but I think if you just enjoy the music you’ll feel the groove that, while weird, is woven in gracefully. At least, that’s how I felt I could depict mastery and precision musically.
I had a lot of fun putting together the post choruses that each explore Taravangian’s good and bad days where his intelligence robs him of humanity, but his stupidity blesses him with compassion. What a fascinating way by BSands to show, yet again, how a lack of balance in our lives can cripple us. Anyway, I hope you dig it!
V1 (D, g2+e3, Open)
I find that things are quiet here
(though bells do ring)
Misunderstood by those most near
(not what I seem)
How deeply I do care for you
(make no mistake)
But I fear what it calls me to do
(your heart will break)
CH1 (Em, G, c1+a1, G)
So it seems, you’ve made me the enemy
Afraid to see the ends justify the means
Release me
And save what we can
The burden of command is mastery
Usurp the gathered sins of society
POST CH (c3+e3)
Insanity
Takes a hold of me
Consuming
My weapon of choice
Acumen precise
V2 (D, g2+e3, Open)
Our prophets give their dying breath
(death rattling)
I gather up the grave’s secrets
(so silently)
Now future sight begins to clear
(see pain severe)
Salvation has a cross to bear
(don’t interfere)
CH2 (Em, G, c1+a1, G)
POST CH (c3+e3)
Compassion
Grips the heart of me
The grieving
To do what must be done
I’ll weep every night
BRIDGE (c3+e3, c3+e4, c3+e2)
Seeking
Control
CH3 (Em, G, c1+a1, G)
Though innocents are claimed by calamity,
We must wear the stains of morality
The price to pay
For the greater good
Preserve the state of man from catastrophe
A calculated chance at viability
Oh Diagram
Remove the unknown
CH4 (Em, G, c1+a1, G)
Outro (c2+e3 chromatic up)
IV. FOR THOSE FORGOTTEN
Edgedancer (3:20)
SYNOPSIS
I was joking with my buddy that I would dedicate this song to him since he was telling me how much he couldn’t stand Lift as a character. Ironically, she’s not my favorite character either, BUT I do really enjoy her in small doses like we got in OB and ROW. She brings a certain “too real” level of childishness to Stormlight and I’ve come to appreciate that dynamic.
Even more so, I knew this was a character my kids would love because of her goofy, child-like nature. I wanted to write a song they could connect with that was fun, a little serious, but also contemplative. As we mature and grow older, we think deeper and we love more intentionally. Being a teenager is incredibly hard these days – it’s difficult to find your way and figure out who you are with all these opinions suffocating us. Couple that with the optimism and brave naivety of youth and BAM, you got a Lift.
This is a tough song for me to sing. My best friend gave me some input on singing it and that dude can sing anything. I struggle with singing so his ideas challenged me and helped me get better, though I’m less confident about it. But that fits with Lift and being young and unsure of ourselves. So I’m grateful for that push.
I wanted this song to feel fun and upbeat. For probably that reason, a drum beat like you find in Ballroom Blitz landed here. And the bridge transition drum feature I can’t help but feel like bobbing my head to. I would hope it appeals to Edgedancers too with the whole “dancing” vibe here. I’ve heard it called a “bop” which I’ll accept!
I told my 6 year old daughter all about Lift then showed her this song. Next thing I knew, she was singing the “because I’m awesome” line over and over again absentmindedly. That was the confirmation I needed to warm my soul that I did this one somewhat right. So as per usual: I hope ya dig!
V1 (Dm, C, G)
A taste for cakes and raging hunger
The slickest thing you’ve ever seen
So why’m I stuck here having you haunt my life?
You look like a voidbringer to me
CH1 (D, A5, C, G)
Maybe it’s ‘cause I’m broke
Maybe it’s ‘cause the world will change while I just stay the same
For those forgotten
Maybe I don’t belong
Maybe it’s ‘cause I’m constantly remembering
Or maybeeee
Because I’m awesome, whoa oh
Because I’m awesome , whoa oh
V2 (Dm, C, G)
See, you and me, we’re storming different
Hate to bring you to that truth
You whine and complain about your stupid garden
Sound like a voidbringer to you?
CH2 (D, A5, C, G)
V3 (Dm, C, G)
Dumbest thing you can’t believe
Deep in the palace late that night
I found myself part of a rare chance to act
And brought the boy back with your light
You might not be a voidbringer at all…
CH3 (D, A5, C, G)
V. Enlighten Me
Truthwatcher (4:58)
SYNOPSIS
I would call this the third and final single from this album I’ve been putting together.
Renarin is our Truthwatcher perspective in “Enlighten Me”. I’ve really enjoyed the added depth we get with Renarin, especially in Oathbringer seeing even more of how much he’s endured living in the shadow of everyone else. Here’s a good dude who I’m sure many of us empathize with.
I tried to capture a few dynamics here. The verses are contemplative while the pre choruses are dark and ominous, capturing Renarin’s experiences with the corrupted visions he’s having. The choruses break through all of that chaos and reflect his inner thoughts on his insecurities and feelings of being overwhelmed.
All of this culminates in a final chorus with slightly altered lyrics now filled with hope, despite the fact that life’s problems don’t magically disappear. Often, we find new perspective to take on the challenges we’re stuck with.
I had a close friend (and fellow band mate in another project) listen to the super rough demo I had of this song probably close to 3 years ago. He’s a much more refined musician when it comes to melodies so I was surprised to hear that the chorus hit him pretty hard. He said it resonated with what he was going through at the time, his insecurities and doubts, but also gave him hope that it will be ok. Hearing stuff like that as a songwriter means the world to me!
Honestly that’s what I’m hoping for with many of these songs – that listeners can connect with them on a personal level that has value even without knowing all of the intricacies of the story. A band who’s incredibly good at that is Twenty One Pilots – those dudes nail that balance.
Anyway, here’s “Enlighten Me”. Hope ya dig.
V1 (Em, G, Em, Cm)
Truth
Is a scary thing, it seems
Try
As I might to disguise
Until I saw it
PreCH (g5+c4, Cm)
A new and devastating storm
The night of sorrows
Sung from the heavens, it was born
To hate, it rides a different way
And we’re too late
V2 (Em, G, Em, Cm)
I find
It hard to accept these things
Succumb
No more to pretend
My eyes are open
PreCH 2 (g5+c4, Cm)
Unmade corruption creeping in
Enlighten me, my friend
Blood sickness never comes again
I see, but can’t believe – why choose me?
CH1 (g5+c4, e1, C, c2+e3+a4)
I know I’m never meant to fit
I’ve always been the quiet one
Living in the world’s shadow
So go
Assuming you know who I am
I fear I’ll never measure up
Why can’t I just be enough?
Yet the bond still beckons me
Still beckons me
V3 (Em, G, Em, Cm)
Mist
Coalesced and empowering
Lies
Whispered in my ear
A future telling
PreCH 3 (g5+c4, Cm)
I saw my fate would come to this
Pailiah’Elin
No longer can I hide this lie, inside, of me,
Now all will see
CH2 (g5+c4, e1, C, c2+e3+a4)
BRIDGE (Cm, c4+e3)
As battles rage outside
Herein I fight a war inside my mind
Multicolored light
Depicts a most horrifying sight
A man falls on bended knee
While a cousin takes up the blade
But the cut never found its place
And the man never fell from grace
CH3 (g5+c4, e1, C, c2+e3+a4)
Maybe I will find my place
Although I’ve been the quiet one
Still living in the world’s shadow
But I’ll go
I think I’m seeing who I am
I still fear I’ll never measure up
But maybe I can be enough
I find the bond still beckons me
Outro (g5+c4, Cm)
VI. The Girl Who Looked Up
Lightweaver (5:15)
SYNOPSIS
I have the great honor to have my super old sister sing on this song with me!
Possibly my favorite parts in all of the Stormlight books are the Wit story chapters – nothing I’ve read yet has more gripped me than the story of Fleet – especially in how it was told. The Girl Who Looked Up is no exception. Not only is it interesting and layered, but it feels like an old story passed down in the world of Roshar where some of it is legit and some of it is made up and all of it is abstract. I love it.
On top of that, it’s a great lens to look at Shallan through, our main character in this song! She is adventurous and always wanting to learn about the next thing in her world. With this song, I wanted to capture her curiosity.
But even more so, I wanted to capture how we start to witness her fracturing personalities. When the bridge hits, I purposefully change from 4/4 time to 5/4, introducing a slight change in feel of the song. The notes are similar but the time isn’t right. Then part two of the bridge we go to 6/4 time – again, similar notes but another odd switch to the feel. Each of these are metaphorical to how Shallan’s identities begin splitting into Veil and Radiant.
Additionally, the lyrics start to weave in Shallan’s personal life and fears while being juxtaposed with the story of The Girl Who Looked Up. Suddenly it’s not so clear if the song is about an old story or Shallan herself.
Of course, Wit ties Shallan into the story beautifully, which is also the climax of this song. I love that dynamic and how stories aren’t perfectly analogous to our lives, but they are certainly insightful when we start to relate with them in how we see ourselves within and can benefit from their lessons.
I’ve had the pleasure of working on a lot of music with my (super old – inside joke) sister, our first ventures primarily in a progressive metal band with our brother and friends. Then she helped with vocals on my Bardsman album that came out last year. And now this! Her voice is amazing and a very nice distinction to have in a song about many identities. Hope ya dig!
Intro (A, c2+e2, c2+e3+a3, c2+e3)
V1 (A, c2+e3, c2+e3+a3)
I remember the first time that
I danced before the wall
It’s shadow cast all around my world
Terribly tall
I wondered aloud, what’s behind its glare?
How could something reach so high?
But was warned not to go far beyond its sight
For fear I would die
CH1 (A, c2+e2, c2+e3+a3, c2+e3)
The girl who looked up
And never looked back
The girl who looked up
V2 (A, c2+e3, c2+e3+a3))
I traveled far over unlit plains
With the darkness as my guide
I feared what I’d find if I scaled it all
The wall now beside
I started my climb towards an unseen sky
Sleeping nights inside my scarf
Within days I had finally reached the top
And saw beyond far
CH2 (A, c2+e2, c2+e3+a3, c2+e3)
BRIDGE 1 (c2+e2, c2+e3)
Eyes waking
I finally see a face unveiled
Mind breaking
Radiating my fear, I call my sword
Forsaking
Murder the past, and don my masks
I’m taking
(All lies) This divine light
BRIDGE 2 (A, c4+a3)
I fled for my crime
Bringing back the shine
The storms I brought with me
There’s no turning back
No return to past
Once you’ve tasted the lightning
Do you hear me?
Telling a truth, and leaving a lie
Can you love me?
Broken in three, so now who am I?
INTERLUDE (A, Am, Open)
Now who am I?
A monster too
Accept the pain
But do I deserve it?
CH3 (A, c2+e2, c2+e3+a3, c2+e3)
The girl who fell down
And never got up
The girl who fell down
No
CH4 x2 (A, c2+e2, c2+e3+a3, c2+e3)
The girl who stood up
And never gave in
The girl who stood up, and up, and up
VII. The Contest
Elsecaller (4:58)
SYNOPSIS
This song started very differently. An idea came to me with the line “You don’t have the spine” along with a certain melody. I tried for weeks to fit this into a song about Jasnah because it feels like something she would say with a totally cool head. Plus it’s hardcore. And she’s hardcore, most obvs.
Howeeeeever, that never ended up clicking. That particular line and melody slowly found its way into song #9 about Stonewards (you’ll see in that song, much better fit). So I started fresh with the song closer to how you hear it now. I went a totally different direction with it, instead not trying to capture Jasnah’s true personality at all. Rather, I wanted to capture how she feels she must portray herself as a queen to her people: a courageous leader who inspires confidence and strength despite making others uncomfortable.
It took a long time for me to be happy with the song after a lot of work. It actually only clicked with me a few days before I released it which is shockingly late in the writing and recording process. But it didn’t click due to my changing the song so much as it had to do with my circumstances at the time.
Things had been difficult, overwhelming, and stressful at work. And I mean for a while. But as I was sitting in my car (we call it the Toaster) doing another sound check of the mix while feeling totally burnt out, those encouraging lines about not giving up, hanging in there, and seeing things through punched me in the face.
With so much in our amazing world to distract us, we can become addicted to escaping discomfort wherever possible. We look at our phones all the time to get away, for example. I’m certainly guilty of it. While it’s obviously healthy to escape bad situations, I’m talking more about challenges that we are often tempted to run away from instead of facing head on. Jasnah is a character who is willing to do the hard and necessary things and to lead people to do the same, especially when it may be mired in discomfort. Plus, this song ties in her efforts to help set up possibly one of the most impactful moments in the Cosmere with the contract that drives the contest. I’ll keep that vague for anyone catching up.
Anyway, I hope this can be a pick-me-up for anyone out there who needs it. Hope ya dig!
V1 (c4+a2, Em7, Cmaj7, Open)
When monarchies fall, who will heed the call
to arms
One is too afraid, the other too brave, and the rightful heir too small
It now falls upon me to rise
Ascend to the station most high
CH1 (B, A)
A knife in the dark won’t keep me down
A cowardice heart can’t bear the crown
So take courage
Take courage
Don’t give up now
Our victory rests upon your vows
Let the contest begin
V2 (c4+a2, Em7, Cmaj7, Open)
An excursion to the east, To quell the enemy’s
advance
My authority in question
An Illusion of perception
Let’s put this all to rest
Employing our power of mind
Then the fate of Roshar we’ll decide
CH2 (B, A)
BRIDGE 1 (Dbm, Gbm, G, Db)
So now it’s come to this
We mount our last defense
By pen
And writ
A contract to confine him
Our final chance to bind him
A contest
Of champions
CH3 (B, A)
VIII. Rhythm of Change
Willshaper (7:09)
SYNOPSIS
When I listen to and write music, I am very much someone who prefers the full album experience. I like to get in that headspace and invest in the music for a longer period of time than a single song offers. Because of this, I try to pace my songs differently for an album experience. Rhythm Of Change is the most dramatic when it comes to pacing. This one slows it way down and really leans on a progressive and simple approach. This was a unique, out of style choice for me.
I really wanted to make this unique for the Listener race in Stormlight who embody the very concept of rhythm – it penetrates everything in their existence, especially their communication. As I am primarily a drummer, this was exciting to me. To capture and make rhythm surround this song in every way, there are tons of different rhythms that build into each other while gaining momentum. It starts slow but escalates pretty dramatically.
There’s an almost metronome-like click through the whole song. Next comes in a low heartbeat thumping (gathered from pounding on my bedroom floor, fyi). When the bridge hits, the tambourine is slowly introduced. Then add shaker, cajon, djembe, until the full drum kit comes in for the final chorus. A part of this constant building of rhythms makes me think about the unrelenting procession of time which leads us to big changes in our lives, or sometimes escalates to war in our societies. The beats are always there, but what are we building with it?
Venli is our focus character in this one. It’s mournful and full of regret, but also resolute in accepting and embracing change in ourselves. Venli isn’t the most likable, but she does make some changes that start her on the path to building the people around her. My hope for myself is to allow sorrows to help me build others instead of focusing on myself. Venli gives us a glimpse of that, even if she’s been a bit of a butt.
Anyway, you’re in for the long haul on this one – stay till the end, it pays off!
V1 (e3+a1)
After all the things I’ve done
This shatters the illusion
Of the one I thought I was
My ambition my delusion
CH1 (c2+e3, c2+e1, e1+a2, Cmaj7)
I
I can hear their confusion
I can feel all their pain
I can see what’s inside
Caused by the darkness in me
I
I will build something new then
I will rekindle the flame
I’ll give them something to fight
Attune the rhythm of
War
V2 (e3+a1)
As I gaze upon your corpse
The storm inside me trembles
In the dark, a solemn force
Finds refuge in my sorrow
CH2 (c2+e3, c2+e1, e1+a2, Cmaj7)
The Lost
BRIDGE 1 (Em, A7)
What have I become this time
How did we fall so far
Light cuts through my shame
I don’t think I will feel the same again
I’ve sewn the seeds of death here, no
I never meant for it
I never wanted this
I
will seek to free
To break the bonds
Confining me
Turn
To those I lead
Rise up and be
The one they need
Embrace
The will to shape
Unmake mistakes
I’ll find a way – a better way
Choose
To take the day
Shake off these chains
Reclaim our place – we’ll sing to praise
All while
CH3 (c2+e3, c2+e1, e1+a2, Cmaj7)
Change
IX. Indomitable
Stoneward (5:19)
SYNOPSIS
The perfect word for a TALN, in my opinion! In this song, I really tried to capture the grounded, steadfastness of a Stoneward. The way to do that seemed obvious to me: the driving force in this song would be some thick and chunky tom beats with the bass taking center over the steel string Ukes. It moves this song’s center of gravity down, making it sturdy and immovable, especially in the chorus where the drums play a type of 4 on the floor beat to give as much consistency and stability as possible.
One of the rarest traits I think a person can have is being dependable. Someone who has the will to get something done, no matter what valid excuses may crop up. Of course, this isn’t always the case for even dependable people because life happens. But owning the responsibility and being committed in this way means you get results. That’s a tricky thing to pursue and even trickier to execute.
Taln is a super interesting character to me because of his commitment to his moral code and responsibility. There’s a lot we don’t know about him still, but from what we read it seems he is a reliable friend and leader. For some reason I felt compelled to put a lot of words down for the bridge of this song (almost a rap??) which is way out of my comfort zone, but I think it’s the best way to effectively describe someone as stalwart as Taln. It’s different, but I’m happy with how it turned out! Hopefully I didn’t read too much into what we don’t know with him. At any rate, hope ya dig!
V1 (A7, a2)
While some were scholars
And others kings
One was full of humility
All caught in the middle
Of and endless spiral
With no where to hide from it all
V2 (A7, a2)
A promise was made
Thus their torture sealed
But our foes would never yield
Until nine became one
Until the stone was set
Bearing the weight of the world because
PreCH1 (g2+c2, C, e3+a2)
You don’t have the spine
You falter every try
How many times you’ve died
But now you see
A chance at freedom
CH1 (g2+c2+a3, A7)
And so you, chose for him
A sacrifice, a gift for humankind
The only one who’s strong enough to
Make it right
This final plight will break your fractured minds
You won’t have to see it if you close your eyes
And turn your backs, and go your separate ways
V2 (A7, a2)
What were these to do
With their oathpact futile
Sanity lost to pain so cruel
Scattered abroad
Identity gone
The herald of war buying time because
PreCH1 (g2+c2, C, e3+a2)
CH2 (g2+c2+a3, A7)
BRIDGE 1 (A7, a2)
He was there
At the fall of each era
He prepared them to fight
For the sake of their lives
Unaware
That he would be
The first one to sleep
Gave his soul to the deep
To relieve all the people
From all of the evil
Overtaking the feeble
And crushing the regal
An Inhuman upheaval
It’s medieval
But there must an end
To pretend
That we can spend forever
In debt To this trend
We gave him up then
To condescend
The most dependable friend
Deserves to be commended
Indomitable
For doing the unthinkable
His will is unbeatable
Cut from stone, though all alone
Indomitable
No, he did not break
Or make a mistake, or forsake
In the wake of the pain, no
Indomitable
And though his mind is now blind
Overburdened by his time
At the hands of the undivine
Indomitable
We pray he can forgive us
Such a breach of our trust,
Paid the price, unjust
Because we
CH3 x2 (g2+c2+a3, A7)
X. UNITER
Bondsmith (6:27)
SYNOPSIS
All right, the last of the 10 radiant songs is upon us with “Uniter”. This one is a favorite of mine because it’s my favorite order and the one I actually scored highest in the radiant order quiz. However, this was also probably the hardest one to finish because it’s long, epic and different in some ways. Oooo and it has bagpipes! And Parshendi language!
Dalinar has one of the most layered and interesting character progressions of any series I’ve read. We’re told he’s a war machine from the beginning of the series but don’t really believe it until reading Oathbringer and it slaps you real hard. Yet somehow, we still love him and root for him to succeed, which is awesome.
The thing I love about this character story is the focus on moving forward, taking the next step. We all have varied pasts full of mistakes and some degree of wrongdoing – but we need to learn and do better in order to truly move forward and find joy and satisfaction in who we are.
I started this song with what I call “dry lightning”, a storm that feels wrong, symbolizing the Everstorm in contrast to “On My Honor” starting with the windy highstorm which is natural and right. Then the drums come in and the War horns (in this case, ancient Celtic war horns) kick off the song. Each verse symbolizes one of Dalinar’s visions from the first book, progressing along with the story.
I love how the story changes your perspective on what it means to “unite”. The beauty in that idea is that we can take it into our own lives, figuring out how we can bring people together in all of our different circles of influence. We all have different lives and beliefs and values – where can we find common ground in such a polarized society? We all benefit collectively from each other when we make this happen. Dalinar captures that vision so well from so many angles which I won’t get into here due to spoilers, but it’s part of what makes his story so interesting to me.
Thank you all for following along as I’ve released a radiant song each week for the last nearly 3 months. It’s been a crazy amount of work but I am happy with how it’s turned out and hope it helps immerse us all a little more in the Stormlight Archive! Let’s get ready for book 5!!!
V1 (Fm, C)
Darkness alive
Engage the night
The stars did fall
Our saving light
CH1 (Fm, C)
I must unite them
Together as one
We fall divided
The strong, the weak, we’re bound forever
Unite them
From desolation
We won’t survive this
If the words die off, untie the tether
Post CH1 (Cm7, e8+a8, C5, e1+a1)
V2 (Fm, C)
The first and last
Betrayed their pacts
Abandoned oaths
Then murderous acts
CH2 (Fm, C)
BRIDGE 1 (C5, C7)
Anak malah kaf,
del makian habin yah
Atop a tower, see the thousandfold dead
The fall of a kingdom, not a family left
We always want that which we cannot have
The way of kings is not easily tread
No, not easily tread
V3 (Fm, C)
Eternal skies
Familiar sights
Dead honor’s cry
Return the knights, of light, tonight, return
Post CH2 (Cm7, e8+a8, C5, e1+a1)
CH3 (Fm, C)
CH4 (Fm, C)
We are United
The radiant ones
Divinely guided
By wind and light, the bond delivers
United
From desolation
We might survive this
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