The song of the Lannisters and their enemies

And who are you, the proud lord said, that I must bow so low? Only a cat of a different coat, that’s all the truth I know

One of the most beautiful and frightening songs in Westeros is about a devastating event. With melody by Ramin Djawadi and lyrics by George R.R. Martin, she talks about two conflicting houses.

“And who are you, the proud lord said, That I must bow so low? Only a cat of a different coat, that’s all the truth I know. In a coat of gold or a coat of red a lion still has claws and mine are long and sharp, my Lord, as long and sharp as yours”

It’s only if you’ve never watched Game of Thrones that you don’t immediately know who we’re talking about here. In a universe full of dubious, selfish, vengeful and manipulative characters, Twyin Lannister has stood out as one of the most terrifying villains of the series (brilliantly played by Charles Dance). It’s not little. The most famous song in Westeros is about him. And it’s not just any song. It is one of the most beautiful in the entire saga.

Tywin Lannister only appears in the series from the second season on. He’s so powerful and smart that he doesn’t want to be King. He knows the real command is behind the scenes… and Rains of Castamere, a Lannister anthem, tells us why he’s famous.

The symbol of House Lannister is the golden lion mentioned in the song. The lion in red was of House Reyne, imperiously destroyed by a young Tywin. The story behind the song is that the Reynes, who lived in Castamere, rebelled against the Lannisters, threatening their prestige. So it represents the opening of the song, Roger Reyne putting himself on an equal footing with his masters. The feud between families began generations before and Tywin, knowing his father was weak, took it upon himself to restore the Lannisters’ prestige.

Now the rains weep over his hall and not a soul to hear

After bloody battles and Lannister victories, Roger Reyne managed to return to Castamere, where he hid with his men and the last Reynes in the mines. There were about 300 people. Tywin ignored the acknowledgment of defeat. He ordered the mines to be sealed and diverted the waters from the canals to the mines, drowning all who were there. The cries for help were soon silenced. Nobody got out alive. As the song says.

“And so he spoke, and so he spoke, that lord of Castamere. But now the rains weep o’er his hall with no one there to hear. Yes, now the rains weep o’er his hall and not a soul to hear”

From there, Tywin Lannister became one of the most feared lords of Westeros. The song, Rains of Castamere went on to be one of the popular in the seven realms. An anthem was born. And Tywin, he knew how to make use of it.

Rains of Castamere is a worldwide success, becoming the theme of the Lannisters. The first time the tune was recognized by a family member on the show was in the first episode of season two, with Tyrion whistling the tune. The ninth episode credits SPOILER ALERT with the Lannisters’ victory at Blackwater, with The National‘s version singing the full song and Bronn also singing it in the episode. After that, the band Sigur Rós appeared at Joffrey’s wedding, singing a depressed version of the hit. In Season 3 Episode 2, Thoros of Myr also sings Rains of Castamere, making Arya suspicious. When Cersei wants threats from the Tyrells, she also “reminds” Margaery of the lyrics (season 3 episode 8).

Review Bronn singing with the soldiers

The episode that turned GOT into a phenomenon is named after the song, but is dubbed “Red Wedding”. As the band plays the first notes of the song, Catelyn Stark realizes the danger. Too late.

No other house, neither Stark nor Targaryen inspired a song like Rains of Castamere, so it was ironic when Tywin said in the series that he didn’t care about Robb Stark’s victories and whether they would write songs about Ned Stark‘s heir. Tywin, the “muse” behind Rains of Castamere, knew that all it took was a single, undeniable victory to inspire fear and admiration. No other was like him.