George Boyle
The song that plays during the Red Wedding in *Game of Thrones* is called The Rains of Castamere. The song is a Lannister family song and its lyrics foreshadow the Red Wedding. The song is based on the downfall of House Reyne at the hands of Tywin Lannister. The song was performed by a band during the wedding of Edmure Tully and Roslin Frey, which is when the Red Wedding took place.
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What You'll Learn
The Red Wedding Song by Peter Hollens
Peter Hollens' "The Red Wedding Song" is a ballad about the infamous Red Wedding from the beloved fantasy series, *Game of Thrones*. The song is told from the perspective of a travelling bard, recounting the tragic events that took place during the wedding feast of Edmure Tully and Roslin Frey.
The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the violent betrayal that unfolded:
> "There were arrows and daggers, and the touch of them burned;
> From players to slayers in an instant were turned
> And the foreigner queen was the first to fall under the knife."
The song describes how the joyous celebration turned into a bloody massacre, with the "king" (Robb Stark) and his "foreign queen" (Talisa Maegyr) falling victim to the treacherous plot orchestrated by Lord Frey and the Lannisters.
Hollens' haunting vocals and the evocative lyrics capture the shock, grief, and fury of the Red Wedding, making it one of the most memorable and poignant songs inspired by *Game of Thrones*.
The song, also known as "Timbers & Wind (Red Wedding)," was released in 2019, ahead of the eighth and final season of the show. It is a fan-created work, with the original ballad written and posted on Tumblr by Paola Bennet, and Hollens' rendition produced by One Voice Productions.
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Rains of Castamere
"The Rains of Castamere" is the song that plays during the Red Wedding scene in the medieval fantasy television series Game of Thrones. The Red Wedding is the common name for the wedding of Edmure Tully and Roslin Frey, during which Robb Stark and his banner-men are massacred.
The song is a Lannister family song and its lyrics foreshadow the Red Wedding. The tune itself evokes a sense of loss and terror. The lyrics immortalize the brutal downfall of House Reyne at the hands of Tywin Lannister, showcasing his ruthless pursuit of dominance. The song serves as a testament to the power and cunning nature of the Lannisters, but it also foreshadows their eventual downfall and demise.
In the episode, after Edmure marries Roslin, Walder Frey calls for the bedding ceremony and the couple are taken away. Talisa tells Robb that she wants to name their son Eddard. The doors to the hall are then locked and "The Rains of Castamere" begins to play, signaling to Catelyn that they have been betrayed by Roose Bolton and Walder Frey. The Freys attack, killing many of the Starks, including Talisa and her unborn child.
The song was also used cynically and ironically in later seasons, contrasting with the moments of the Lannisters' downfall. For example, during King Joffrey's wedding, a band performs a slower version of the song before being dismissed by him. Soon after, Joffrey dies. The song was heard one last time in the final episode of the show, as Tyrion finds the dead bodies of his siblings, Jaime and Cersei.
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The Lannisters' downfall
The song "The Rains of Castamere" is a Lannister song that carries a lot of weight in the world of Game of Thrones. Its lyrics immortalize the brutal downfall of House Reyne, which was caused by Tywin Lannister, showcasing his ruthless pursuit of dominance. The song is a testament to the power and cunning nature of House Lannister. However, it also foreshadows their eventual downfall and demise.
During the Red Wedding, the song is played by a band before the massacre of Robb Stark and his bannermen. This is a crucial moment in the series, as it marks the betrayal and assassination of the Stark forces during a marriage ceremony. The song's lyrics and melody evoke a sense of dread, sorrow, and loss, making it one of the most memorable and popular tunes in the series.
The Red Wedding was a challenging chapter for George R. R. Martin to write, as he felt attached to the characters, including the minor ones. He even joked that he would visit a country without television when the episode aired. The adaptation of the scene for television was so powerful that it convinced Benioff and Weiss to pursue the rights for a TV series.
The song "The Rains of Castamere" makes a few more significant appearances in the series, often associated with the Lannisters' downfall. During King Joffrey's wedding, a slower and drier version of the song is played before he abruptly dismisses the band. Soon after, Joffrey dies a painful death. In the final episode, a heart-wrenching rendition of the song plays as Tyrion discovers the dead bodies of his siblings, Jamie and Cersei, under the rubble of the Red Keep. The song's full-circle journey in the series emphasizes the fall of House Lannister.
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The Red Wedding's hardest scene to write
The Red Wedding, one of the most memorable events of the Game of Thrones series, was also the hardest scene for George R.R. Martin to write. In fact, he found it so challenging that he skipped over it and finished writing the entire rest of the book before forcing himself to go back and write the Red Wedding scene.
The Red Wedding occurs in the third book of the A Song of Ice and Fire series and the third season of the TV show. It involves the betrayal and assassination of the Stark forces during the wedding of Edmure Tully and Roslin Frey. Several major characters, including Robb Stark and his bannermen, are massacred, making it one of the most shocking plots of the series.
Martin struggled with killing off characters he had created and lived with for so long. He also felt attached to even the minor characters who were killed during the massacre. In an interview, he said, "I knew it was coming but it was very hard to write and was the hardest thing I've ever written. I went back and made myself write that scene because it was painful to kill these characters I'd created and lived with for so long."
The Red Wedding episode, titled "The Rains of Castamere," received universal acclaim from critics and is considered one of the best and most harrowing episodes of the show. The director, David Nutter, spent weeks planning the scene's blocking and set coordination, and insisted on a vital rehearsal period to allow the cast to perfect their performances. The episode is known for its powerful and emotional scenes, including Robb Stark's final goodbye to his wife and Catelyn Stark's gut-wrenching final moments.
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The Red Wedding's inspiration
The Red Wedding from *Game of Thrones* was inspired by real-life events. George R.R. Martin, the author of the book series *A Song of Ice and Fire*, on which the show is based, has said that the inspiration for the Red Wedding is based on two dark events in Scottish history: the Black Dinner of 1440 and the Massacre of Glencoe from 1692.
The Black Dinner took place in November 1440 when the 16-year-old newly appointed 6th Earl of Douglas and his younger brother, David, were invited to dine with the 10-year-old King of England and Scotland, James II, at Edinburgh Castle. The invitation was issued by Sir William Crichton, Chancellor of Scotland, who, along with James Douglas, Earl of Avondale, and Sir Alexander Livingston of Callendar, conspired to break the power of the late Archibald Douglas's family. During the dinner, the boys got along well, enjoying food and entertainment. However, at the end of the meal, the head of a black bull, symbolising the death of the Black Douglas, was dropped on the table. The two brothers were dragged outside, given a mock trial, found guilty of high treason, and beheaded.
The Massacre of Glencoe in 1692 occurred when all Scottish clans were called upon to renounce the deposed King of Scotland, James VII, and swear allegiance to King William of Orange. The Highland Clan MacDonald faced challenges due to the Secretary of State, John Dalrymple, who was a Lowlander and despised the MacDonalds. Maclain, the chief of the MacDonald clan, was detained by the rival Clan Campbell, causing him to deliver the oath several days late. The Secretary of State's legal team rejected the late document, and they set out to cut down the clan "root and branch".
The Red Wedding song, performed by Peter Hollens, retells the deadly tale of the Red Wedding, providing a beautiful ballad that captures the shock and brutality of the event.
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Frequently asked questions
The song played at the Red Wedding is called "The Rains of Castamere".
The Red Wedding scene depicts the betrayal and assassination of the Stark forces during a marriage ceremony.
"The Rains of Castamere" is a Lannister song with lyrics that foreshadow the Red Wedding. The song also serves as a testament to the power and cunning nature of the Lannisters.
The song was written by executive producers David Benioff and D. B. Weiss for the HBO series Game of Thrones.
Fans of the show associate the song with the unpleasant memories of the Red Wedding, where multiple leading characters were slaughtered. The tune itself evokes a feeling of loss and a sense of terror.
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