The Battle of Evermore
27 01 2017The Led Zeppelin song has many references to Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. One of the lines which I like quite a bit is ‘Sing as you raise your bow.’ The implication here is interesting because the arguments that I have been making over the course of the blog are that ‘one good thing about music, when it hits you feel no pain.’ However, if the song is accompanied by an arrow, brings a bit more to the process, wouldn’t you think?
Interestingly, it also brings to light what I have been thinking about so much and why it has taken me so long to write this particular blog. A friend was discussing with me how the ring in Tolkien’s books was the A-Bomb, even though Tolkien himself said otherwise. For a moment, I was considering if technology itself is ‘the One Ring,’ which would be curious to argue on an electronic blog. I remember having a conversation with the same friend, pointing out that technology is a subset of nature, and as a result of that, there can be no computational device which can work through the mathematics faster than nature, since at the very least, it is starting form a seriously disadvantaged point in time.
We have just gone through a somewhat radical change here in America, and I believe that there will be interesting times ahead, for all of us, as we face the future of our country. I believe that as we look for answers in our lives to our current dilemmas, that relying on the lessons and examples provided by nature will allow us as emotional beings, to flow like water and to follow the best course to the sea. One of the reasons that I like this song, The Battle of Evermore, is the example that it provides for the strength to do battle, yet reminding that ‘The pain of war cannot exceed the woe of aftermath.’ As far as I am concerned, that is an absolute.
The difficulty then, is who to follow, how to choose, and where does the hope begin? I hold the opinion that, as music is a language, that the time, attention to detail, control of one’s body, and patience required to learn to play any instrument are also the skills that are required to be in leadership positions. As far as I know, the most famous musician to have held public office is Clint Eastwood, though he is more recognized for his other artistic skills. Maybe only musicians can be allowed to run for office, until such time as our current structure of government can be properly overhauled.
In the end though, once the journey has begun, there must be change, and as Led Zeppelin communicates to us ‘The magic (music) runes are writ in gold to bring the balance back, bring it back.’
