The Battle of Evermore Lyrics
The Queen of Light took her bow
And then she turned to go
The Prince of Peace embraced the gloom
And walked the night alone
Oh, dance in the dark of night
Sing to the morning light
The dark Lord rides in force tonight
And time will tell us all
Oh, throw down your plow and hoe
Rest not to lock your homes
Side by side we wait the might of the darkest of them all
Oh-oh
[Chorus: Robert Plant & Sandy Denny]
I hear the horses' thunder down in the valley below
I'm waiting for the angels of Avalon
Waiting for the eastern glow
[Verse 2: Robert Plant, Sandy Denny, both]
The apples of the valley hold the seeds of happiness
The ground is rich from tender care
Repay, do not forget, no, no
Dance in the dark of night
Sing to the morning light
The apples turn to brown and black
The tyrant's face is red
Oh, war is the common cry
Pick up your swords and fly
The sky is filled with good and bad
Mortals never know, oh
Oh, well, the night is long, the beads of time pass slow
Tired eyes on the sunrise
Waiting for the eastern glow
[Verse 3: Robert Plant, Sandy Denny, both]
The pain of war cannot exceed
The woe of aftermath
The drums will shake the castle wall
The ring wraiths ride in black, ride on
Sing as you raise your bow (Ride on)
Shoot straighter than before
No comfort has the fire at night
That lights the face so cold
Oh, dance in the dark of night
Sing to the morning light
The magic runes are writ in gold
To bring the balance back
Bring it back
[Outro: Robert Plant & Sandy Denny]
At last the sun is shining
The clouds of blue roll by
With flames from the dragon of darkness
The sunlight blinds his eyes!
Ahhhhh
Ahhhhhhhhhh
Bring it back, bring it back
Bring it back, bring it back
Bring it back, bring it back
Bring it back, bring it back
Oh now, oh now, oh now, oh
Oh now, oh now, oh now
Bring it back, bring it back
Bring it back, bring it back
Ooh now, oh now, oh now, oh
Oh now, oh now, oh now
Bring it, bring it, bring it, bring it
Bring it, bring it, bring it, bring it
Bring it, bring it, bring it, bring it
About
An epic, Celtic folk saga relating a mythological struggle between good and evil, this song is notable within the Led Zeppelin catalogue for several reasons.
It’s the only track the band recorded with a guest vocalist; Robert Plant shares the lead vocals with folk singer Sandy Denny, a member of the British folk band Fairport Convention. Fans think Denny was given a symbol on the album sleeve, like each member of the band.
It’s also notable for its use of mandolin, played by Jimmy Page, and the complete lack of percussion – an ironic departure for this particular album, given that John Bonham’s drumming on the other tracks is legendary.
While not the only Zeppelin song to mention Lord of the Rings, it contains some of their most overt Tolkien references. Whether the song describes events in that fictional universe is the subject of much debate. The lyrics also clearly reference the epic Battle of Camlann in Arthurian legend, and the peace Arthur found afterwards in Avalon — the “isle of apples.”
This intricate call and response narrative weaves together details from existing stories to create something new. It’s about the broader concept that all mythology is built on — the balance between good and evil, and the bloodshed and sacrifice necessary to maintain it.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
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