
Durin’s Folk | Voices Beneath the Mountain
[Intro – SPOKEN | very low male voice | ancient tone with breathy delivery | Background: echoing hammers, slow drums, deep murmurs] (Spoken slowly and clearly) “These are the voices of Durin’s Folk— Bound by stone, and forged in smoke.” (Brief pause, then immediate musical entry with Verse 1) [Verse 1 – SUNG | deep, Nordic male voice | chant-like rhythm | Background: bowed strings, drones, echo accents] I sang the halls from flame and stone, My hands were ash, my voice alone. I carved the names, I lit the fires— The mountain heard our bold desires. [Verse 2 – SUNG | gravel male voice with warrior tone | slightly breathy | Background: harp echoes, percussion, whispers] Through grief and gold, we bore the weight, Our axes swore to guard each gate. The dragon came, the dark grew wide— Still proud we stood, still deep our stride. [Instrumental Bridge | murky strings, pulsing war drums, no melody | whispered murmur echoes] (Whispered chant fades in, low and echoing:) “Bah-rook… Khah-zahd… ai… meh-noo…” (Echoes trail off into the next verse) [Verse 3 – SUNG | low warrior male voice, harsh and rhythmic | dry vocal tone | Background: stone percussion, layered murmurs] From forge to tomb, we held our lines, With blood and song beneath the mines. The drums have stopped, the halls are dim— But echoes rise with every hymn. [Verse 4 – SUNG | aged female alto voice | proud and steady | no vibrato, deep tone | Background: harp, ambient rumble, mmhmm hums] I walk the paths the fallen knew, Where runes still shine in silver hue. I hear their steps, I feel the flame— And whisper still my father’s name. [Final Chorus – SUNG | deep layered male choir | slow but rising tempo | Background: echo swells, low brass, bass drums] We are stone, and stone remembers— We are fire, and fire burns on. From the deep our vows awaken— From our silence, comes the song. Raise your voice, the halls are waiting— Lift your axe, and strike the chord! Durin’s folk shall rise forever— In the echo of the sword! ([Final echo on: “...of the sword… sword…”])

