Lament of the Mountain

Lament of the Mountain, or "ii Nurna ii Orod" in gnomish, is a folk song popular in the Gnome Lands of the Santeem Republic.
It was first written in the early Third Age. Though uncredited, the original composer of the song is believed to be Elder Wilgrim Geddrinelgath, who is said to have been a close friend to an elf of prominence.

Historical Context

The song is commonly believed to refer to a tragic loss that occured in the Torana Mountains and speaks of a bond between a gnome and an elf who fought against a coming darkness together. It is said these two were bound by a Gnomish Gem Binding ritual, which the song appears to allude to.
Certain scholars and historians believe the text of the song refers to a specific champion of Avianor, The Timefather. However, the text of the song in the Fifth Age only refers to them by the elven title Erani'stel, meaning "One or First of the Faith".
The song ends with references to a hidden valley "touched by sunset" where the Erani'stel was laid to rest, though where this valley may be is unknown, and no such burial site has been found.

in the Fifth Age

Gnomes often tinker, and songs and performances are no exception. As such, no two performances of Lament of the Mountain are the same. The closest approximation for the style of the music is often akin to a Brancan waltz, though the music accompaniment is faster and often more jovial. The music is usually composed of light and fast strings, with onlookers clapping or stomping to the three-step rhythm.
Different renditions can play with the number of syllables in each verse, either to amplify the melodic tones in cyclic falling patterns for lighter, party fare, or to perform a more regimented rhyming scheme for serious, dirge-like renditions.
In their youths, Mortimr Gwathagoldrin used to sing a version of the "Lament of the Mountain" to his younger brother, Borli, which was Borli's favorite song.
On 4 Adroth 5A 352, Mortimr asked Chaka if he could perform this song. While the song was recognized by another member of their group, Demitri, Chaka did not know it.

Content

Gnomish

Morn ar fung gung dim lûthaim gôr i orod
Ar warn arulthar ador golda ar cwent dôr
Gwass uf ni brigothra anthorin i orod
Tilithli ar golda hebon hath topaz fed hôr

Bil i sacthaol, had ôth ragarn i orod
I glarw guin ari erani’stel hisgî fecthir ari gung
Fa so lim hisen gla tathn ultharol i orod
En gui ain thig mort drin-

hŷr dai hisgî yrin ar dont ar gung ar gwed haug

Fa driog hath topaz fed yrin or i orod
Cara i erani’stel gôtha tanc areven fintha gurth
I gung îriol lebi falm ar lûith i orod
Fa adrhos aista glarw, u egiont ogriol lî curth

Golda ged haithin ontha pridind ged i orod
Bil min inthi saith, ar golda ged îriol nurna-on
On lebi ontha gofedhrog'in bast mu i orod
Ar golda ged cara pâ-

ontha doldrin ar cwas nurna ar nîriol glingon

Bil i tûm fab hath aura-nûmin, lenc mu en orod
Tubrin bil gwig, had erwed i goldoth ar tug sai
On ôth ontha ged go hŷr cingra fodra guin or i orod
Bóra ontha bada îriol cluim hath ontha dai

Common translation

Black and dark spiders overcame all the mountain
And threatened to spill across gnome and elf lands
Rushing forth without fear up the mountain
Elven and gnome bound by topaz oath ascended

In the fighting, as chasm rocked the mountain
The light held by the Erani’stel proved bane to the spiders
But so many were their number spilling over the mountain
That even the god-champion of -

sun and sky fell to spiders and was made low

But dedication by topaz vow sworn on this same mountain
Did the Erani’stel hold firm to even sundered in death
The arachnids would take the cliffs and passes of the mountain
But through holy light, no further could they sin

Gnome friend had lost his truest friend on that mountain
In selfless sacrifice, and gnome friend would lament for him
He recovered his ally’s body from the mountain
And gnome friend did put -

his deep and whole lament to somber song

In the valley touched by sunset, far from that mountain
Hidden in remembrance, for only the gnome's gem to find
He buried his friend with sun blade last held on the mountain
So that ever his form would be warmed by His sky

Type

Manuscript, Musical

Medium

Oral Tradition / Word of Mouth