Wanderer's Tale (5:50)
by Eterman in 30.11.2000 for the Merregnon compo
With this tune, and the yet unreleased "Knights of Whispers", I'm
getting back to my older habits of 4/4 with three accents in each.
Lately, my music has rather been almost precisely 3/4 (sometime 6/8 and
such as well) quite a lot due to the way I play piano. I find it easier
to compose music using a very familiar bass structure. (of which some
glimpses are seen in the way I handle cello in Northern Shimmer, for
instance and also plainly seen in Midnight Tempest Concerto; the piano
work I play myself, apart from the most difficult ones, of course)
Here, however, it is evidently 4/4 (or 12/8, of course). This
rhythm you find here I learned in the early phases of my tracking
from some Skaven's songs, especially "War in the Middle Earth". Now, what
a great track that one still is!
Whoa, I made it in time! I knew I could do it! And not a lousy
track at all, I suppose. I even think there are some of the very best
harmonies here I've ever created and as to the enjoyability angle, I
can't tell you reasonably well how stunnignly inspiring it is to me,
listening to this song, that is. I doubt anyone could enjoy this piece as
much as I do, but feel free to try anyhow. :)
"On that hard, cold pier this wanderer lay motionless, giving the
last breaths of his long joyrney. I knew his name. Darom seemed to
know his person. Yet only our beloved King had admitted knowing his soul.
The expression in his so often stern face, was now an uncertain battle
between grief and delight, something none of us could fully
understand. I still wonder, if I ever will.
"Nevertheless, the old man had not yet departed from our presence,
but opening his eyes he silently began to talk. Although his voice
was weak in volume, it intruded my very mind in an instant. It felt
certain that he did not only speak to our ears, but he spake into our
minds in a power, nobility and authority both scarcely less in power than
those of the King himself.
"So powerful was the impression, that not only did I listen to the
words spoken, but I could also see in my mind what the Wanderer was
telling us all. In the next moment the images were not in my mind
anymore, but I beheld them even with my very eyes, not making a
difference between that which was part of the tale, and that which was
happening at the moment, for all my senses had ascended from the present
occurences into observing those from the past.
"Both sorrow and joy were represented in the narration, as the old
man, much older than we all had though first, it now seemed, took us all
into this long journey of his, which, as we soon noticed, was not only a
story of one man's life, but was closely linked with the recent history
of this very continent we inhabitate. Verily, this was a story of a force
drawing peoples towards the paths of peace, and as this all became
clear to me, I swiftly gained a better understanding of the grievous
manner the story was told in.
"Then, as I was in the verge of weeping myself in this sudden
burst of sympathy, we were all presented with acts of great nobility and
a tremendous delight that was brought within in the heart of the
Wanderer, who, although clearly possessed a strong feeling of longing,
enjoyed greatly in his recollections of the souls once proving such noble
qualities and strength in their devotions.
"However, this nobility, a quality I only recently had learned to
value, was soon somewhat overshadowed in the narrative voice by another
kind of emerging tone, which brought immense emotional warmth into us
trying to help us understand the most precious feelings the Wanderer had
carried with him during the long journey. It was nothing else than a pure
love that had given strength for this honorable old man to carry on with
his task. This experience was instructing chiefly for myself, who never
before had quite conceived any love based on honor.
"The nature of many those things present, was somewhat
incredible to the natural mind of humankind, not less due to many actions
our written history had never provided the least indication to. Still,
despite all the new knowledge that was rather difficult to accept, I can
not recall one moment of uncertainty in my mind, as the confining
manner by which the narration was brought before us, was in all senses
undeniable for any honest soul not apt to deceiving oneself. For one
thing I have learned in this world of deception and distrust, is that
although people usually believe in what they are willing to believe, the
scant number of people that have a frank intention to believe in the
truth because of it's relieving nature, tend not to be deceived.
"However, one must not be distracted by the delusion, that
this new information we were given, was the most precious gift the
Wanderer delivered us that very moment. Nay! Surely none of us ever
valued any of the knowledge, as far as sheer historical events are
considered, for the gift we were granted in addition was truly much
greater indeed.
"For as we were allowed to follow on his trail, we experienced the
very feelings the Wanderer himself went through, and that was something
none of us could ever forget. Verily, in those moments I learned more
than I had learned before during all my years that far. We were truly
allowed to taste something that clarified our glances, purified our
minds, and made our hearts burn in delight, and this is the thing I will
forever be grateful for.
"The story drew nigher to its end, and we saw the steps that
brought both armies into this battle, this sorrowful event we had
considered so victorious just some moments ago. Now we saw - in the
eyes of the Wanderer, whose narrative voice grew ever weaker bringing
us smoothly back to the present - the true nature of nobility: the true
nature of commitment and devotion. Then, in a swift moment, he was gone,
and we, with our shattered, hollow honors, were left standing alone
with but one clear thought in our minds: this old man, this commonly
unknown wanderer, had with his recent actions saved us all from an
evident perdition. A true kind of peace was now established, which was a
glorious thing itself, but more momentous for my knowledge and further
growth was to become aware of this fundamental truth: The Wanderer's
mission was not abolished by his departure in any way.
"These things I often discuss with my King, as we go on with
our lives now, as far as such term is appropriate here, for our lives
were not comparable to those we had lived before this wonderful
experience took place. These discussions are mostly to my own account, as
the King had met the Wanderer before and appeared to understand
something I was yet to learn. I have still many miles afore me until I
can completely perceive his world, a world which I was not born in, but
which I have a flaming desire to explore.
"Darom, however, I saw never since, but as I have studied these
recent occurences and also those from the farther past, I have grown most
certain, that he has finally found a just, true devotion for himself,
following which he incessantly wanders throughout the land."
-Harri Kivisto
eterman@writeme.com
That story above is not ment to represent the song structure, but
rather some of the feelings and insights brought to my consciousness
during the tracking process. That's only one story from one angle ment
to, to.. well I don't know what it is ment to do. I just wrote it. You,
as a listener, may imagine whatever you wish.
I'm not saying this program is totally wrong, but in this case its
suggestions are getting frustrating. Song message too long?! Who does it
think it is trying to tell me anything about thi
