Well, we can't say we saw this one coming, but in many ways, it's not all that surprising either. After contributing music to Portal 2, perpetual indie rock sad-sacks the National have gone high fantasy by doing a track for the second Game of Thrones soundtrack.
The Brooklyn outfit take on George R.R. Martin's ballad "The Rains of Castamere," which is featured in the novelist's A Song of Ice and Fire series. The song is referenced more than a few times in the books and tells the tale of Lord Tywin Lannister's crushing victory over the rebellious House Reyne of Castamere.
If you have troubles keeping your characters straight, Tywin is the father of Tyrion (aka the Imp), who's of course played by Peter Dinklage. If you're still confused, Tywin was until recently featured in Arya Stark's storyline on the TV show. And if you're still lost, well, you're on your own.
Below, you can find the lyrics to "The Rains of Castamere," which Matt Berninger croons in that baritone of his. However, don't worry about any spoilers, as the Tywin's defeat over House Reyne happens before any of the events of Game of Thrones even take place.
Game Of Thrones: Season Two the soundtrack will be released on June 19 via Varese Sarabande. Listen to the National's take on the ye olde ballad below. Hear me roar, National. Hear me roar.
"The Rains of Castamere":
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.
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.
The Brooklyn outfit take on George R.R. Martin's ballad "The Rains of Castamere," which is featured in the novelist's A Song of Ice and Fire series. The song is referenced more than a few times in the books and tells the tale of Lord Tywin Lannister's crushing victory over the rebellious House Reyne of Castamere.
If you have troubles keeping your characters straight, Tywin is the father of Tyrion (aka the Imp), who's of course played by Peter Dinklage. If you're still confused, Tywin was until recently featured in Arya Stark's storyline on the TV show. And if you're still lost, well, you're on your own.
Below, you can find the lyrics to "The Rains of Castamere," which Matt Berninger croons in that baritone of his. However, don't worry about any spoilers, as the Tywin's defeat over House Reyne happens before any of the events of Game of Thrones even take place.
Game Of Thrones: Season Two the soundtrack will be released on June 19 via Varese Sarabande. Listen to the National's take on the ye olde ballad below. Hear me roar, National. Hear me roar.
"The Rains of Castamere":
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.
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.
