Led Zeppelin: The Battle of Evermore Meaning

The Battle of Evermore Lyrics

Queen of Light took her bow, And then she turned to go,
The Prince of Peace embraced the gloom, And walked the night alone.

Oh, dance in the dark of night, Sing to the morning light.
The dark Lord rides in force tonight, And time will tell...

1. 1TOP RATED

   #1 top rated interpretation:
   anonymous

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   Nov 23rd 2012 !⃝

   I think Zeppelin (gods amongst men) were just as interested in Tolkien as they were with other popular mythologies, folk-lore, scripture and the current events of their time. First of all, I am not religious nor am I a Tolkien fan, but I love Zeppelin and I am attempting to illustrate the meaning of this song. Tolkien is very popular and as a British author, his writings would have certainly affected Zeppelin members as they grew up in England. While referencing the epic battle in LOTR, Zeppelin is also illustrating the personal struggles between the forces of good and evil each person experiences. “Oh well the night is long, the beads of time pass slow. Tired eyes on the sunrise, waiting for the eastern glow.” The cosmic dance between light and darkness, as the earth rotates and day becomes night, is the theme of this war ballad. Almost each line references how fears are consuming and contrast the hopes for a brighter future. I love the line, "The Queen of light took her bow, and then she turned to go." It could be this Tolkien elfish queen, any deities associated with the sun or even the life giving force of the Universe (The Holy Spirit in Scripture). Arguably, this life giving entity, having breathed life into the world/this individual, willingly remits which then ushers a period of darkness. In her absence, mortals find themselves at the mercy of this encroaching darkness; but they do not cower, they choose to sing and fight. They even rejoice as they refine their efforts, with a song of hope resonating from their hearts, they strike against the darkness with greater efficiency, “Sing as you raise your bow, shoot straighter than before.” This next line offers insight to the prevalence of temptation in this world of darkness seeing how anything produced by the darkness, even if it looks helpful, is false and consumes the soul’s warmth. “No comfort has the fire at night that lights the face so cold. Oh dance in the dark of night, sign to the morning light.” The last line here could illustrate how lamenting in sin offers everyone a chance to break habit and strive for a brighter future. This line, "The Prince of Peace, embraced the gloom and walked the night alone," may signify the strength residing within each of us. (Just as Frodo being a small and otherwise feeble creature was entrusted to carry the hopes of Middle-earth, Jesus was forced to carry his own cross, both sacrifices lead to worldly salvations. By the way, both complained about having been selected to save the world fairly often, but they both overcame their doubts and did so all the same.) Similarly, everyone must harness their inner strength in order to conquer their fears and eradicate evil. Jesus himself spoke of how the Kingdom of God can only be obtained on earth once people are selfless and forfeit their worldly possessions. I would argue that "The Battle of Evermore" alludes to these internal struggles between good and evil as an eternal battle. I believe Zeppelin uses Tolkien references and other mythologies to reiterate this cosmic dynamic between light and darkness. While we may occupy our time with menial tasks, "throw down your plow and hoe, rest not to lock your homes," this eternal warfare requires our immediate attention if we hope to usher an age of Justice.

2. 2TOP RATED

   #2 top rated interpretation:
   anonymous

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   Jul 4th 2008 !⃝

   Yes, the references to the Lord of the Rings are apparent.
   But like the Vikings "from the land ice and snow" in the "Immigrant Song"....there is a deeper level also to these lyrics.
   
   The "Overlords" there also refer to a previous angelic civilization, a war in heaven causing it's destruction and the remnants of which are found controlling every nation on ancient earth before it was left to mortal men, and "our" written history began.
   The Bible warned men not to worship these "hosts of heaven".
   
   "The sky is filled with good and bad that mortals never know."
   
   This is also refenced here ..."I'm waiting for the angels of Avalon, waiting for the eastern glow"
   "Queen of Light took her bow, And then she turned to go,
   The Prince of Peace embraced the gloom, And walked the night alone."
   A comong change of dispensations.
   
   The dawning of a new day, a 1000 year millienia in which the true "Prince of Peace" who embraced the gloom alone for us all, shall have His government set up here and rule the Earth "with a rod of iron" in open sight of all...
   
   But beware first there shall come an "impersonation".
   
   "At last the sun is shining, The clouds of blue roll by,
   With flames from the dragon of darkness, the sunlight blinds his eyes."
   
   The dragon of darkness, the present god of this earth blinds our spiritual sight with the natural light of the sun. All we percievce with our natural senses are subject this deception, which is only an upside down, inside out anti-type of the real.
   
   Before the coming age of peace, the nations are told to "beat their spears and swords into plows and hoe's"
   
   There will be a thousand years of peace and then according to the conditions of the "contest" in the Bible.
   
   But after that 1000 years of enforced peace on the earth.... war breaks out and the cycle starts again.
   
   Oh, throw down your plow and hoe, Rest not to lock your homes.
3. anonymous

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   Nov 16th 2022 !⃝

   I'm coming at it my HAWAII perspective.
   
   >The apples of the valley hold
   >The seeds of happiness
   
   The Unseen force or Mana from Apples bring good health to the people.
   
   
   >The ground is rich from tender care
   >Repay, do not forget, no, no
   Compare to Hawaii's "Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ʻĀina i ka Pono" the life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness
   
   >Oh, dance in the dark of night
   We Serve the Chief (the Chief is the Land) it's the greatest blessing.
   
   >Sing to the morning light
   bless the world each morning and by it you'll be blessed
   
   
   >The apples turn to brown and black
   >The tyrant's face is red
   
   Plan the way to live your life and Walk your plan Everything is flexible
   
4. anonymous

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   Oct 21st 2018 !⃝

   It’s about the Lord of the rings. Period. Half of Led Zeppelin songs are about Lord of the rings, so stop making it out to be more than it is, it’s a great song beautiful music phenomenal singing but it is nothing more and nothing less than the Lord of the rings
5. anonymous

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   Sep 26th 2017 !⃝

   It's referring to LOTR. LOTR like all epics is about the ultimate war between good and evil.
6. anonymous

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   Nov 16th 2016 !⃝

   It's not retelling the Lord of the rings. It's using mythic references to say something else. You would have to research each one. Then put it all back together like a riddle.
   (
7. anonymous

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   Feb 10th 2015 !⃝

   This song was written by Robert Plant and Jimmy Page at the height of Led Zeppelin band during the time of the cold war days between east and west in the mindset of the collective Norse mythologies of the pagan gods and the vikings of long ago who fought in battles between good and evil that has been going on in the world for a long time, even before and then after the birth of JESUS CHRIST who wanted to lead the battle for us from the darkness into the light. Back then he was probablly on a parallel course to the Esseens who lived in the wilderness desserts believing one day in the future there will be a battle between the sons of light and the sons of darkness that would take place in a prophetic revelation in the battle for our souls from the world that was out of balance wich led to the destruction of the temple. And now to keep in mind whare in ROMANS 12:17-21 when Paul says in the name of JESUS CHRIST ''Repay no one evil for evil,but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all'' and last ''Vengeance is mine, I will repay says the Lord''.
8. anonymous

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   Jun 5th 2014 !⃝

   The battle of evermore is a song best understood by young acid casualties of the 70's, the 80's and especially those tripping 1990's era! doses and the availability of mushrooms amongst other crap to hallucinate on where very abundant and usually pretty good back then. If you wanna know what the battle of evermore is really about ask any true child of the 80s born 1978 or shortly there after. They probably know where to score some mushrooms and will probably strongly not recommend or know where to get you any acid. That shit probably scares the bejesus out of them by now unless they are just complete burnt operators.
   
   Nonetheless, they know that if you eat some good boomers and listen to the battle of evermore you will jet propel into outer space where you will be turned around by an unseen force to see the blue glow of earth.
   
   While the battle of evermore song plays on and all time loses it's perception time will soon speed up astronomically! zeppelin battle with evermore will just keeps on jammin on slowly and malodically continuing on playing mandolin guitar killer vocals and acoustic guitar righteousness that is the battle of evermore right on time. It's at this time that things get strange. Like your hair begins to grow at an anormous speed. We're talking like 20 inches per drumkick. By now you realize that your acid casualty guru battle of evermore dude made you put on a space helmit when he gave you the mushrooms to which at the time made since but was forgotton about because jimmy page is rad, and trancelike on that mandolin. Of course it's at this point that things will probably start to suck because as the song draws on and your hair grows longer it's starts destroying your view of the earth and slowly the lights on the planet you were born on begins to go out. Just when your about to totally freak out and the song nears to it's inevitable end. You realize what a douche you've been as a human being and you freak out mentally believing that instead of gaining the understanding of the battle of evermore. You just ate mushrooms with satin and your being cast into eternal darkness by the creator of the universe who up until now you were unsure even existed. You like will most likely think that this is really Happening and it's final. You can't talk or negotiate your way out hell. So you just do what's natural and gnash your teeth In pure terror! Then the song ends and the cat that gave you the mushrooms takes off the space helmet he gave you and removes the fake hair he's been stuffing inside it during the song. he will probably turn the lights in whatever room or space you are listening to the jammin jimmy page jams in and laugh at you.
   
   You will understand what the song means after this and you won't need ask again. You'll probably need to Go to church. Find The Lord and never take hallucinogens again especially after you have one or more bad trips like this. But hey you will know what the battle of evermore is about. Knowledge is power. My suggestion is if your half tuned in and grounded. Believe in Jesus Christ. He loves you the best. Listen to the grateful dead more and not Zeppelin. It gets old and serves best to remind you of a pre internet time when You weren't watching the original MTV. The one that was only on one channel and played nothing but awesome music videos most of the time. Later skaters. Wow I'm never tripping again....hopefully.

   This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
9. Martha Clayton Spurlock

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   Sep 24th 2011 !⃝

   Led Zeppelin alludes to Tolkien's works in Ramble On -- "in the deepest depths of MORDOR I found a girl so fair. . .but GOLLUM and the evil one (Sauron). . ."
   
   Also the Battle of Pelennor Fields (Evermore) is from Return of the King.
   
   That Alistair Crowley stuff is way overblown. And tells us more about the listeners than the composers.
10. Martha Clayton Spurlock

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    Sep 24th 2011 !⃝

    the Prince of Peace is a name for Jesus in Isaiah 9:6. Tolkien was an evangelical Roman Catholic. His trilogy is an allegory of salvation.
    
    John 14:27, where Jesus says, "My Peace I give to you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
    
    Evermore -- meaning ETERNITY.
    
    The final battle from Revelation -- the warrior King -- who brought man peace with God through His incarnation, vicarious life in perfect obedience -- wages the final battle against Satan and His minions -- those who have rebelled against the King.
    
    In an allegory, fictional characters stand in for a story that mirrors another.
11. anonymous

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    May 14th 2011 !⃝

    According to an ex-occultist the lyrics are not only based on Tolkien, but also Aleister Crowley’s teachings, which especially Jimmy Page were well versed in. Including: the queen of light is the female godhead of satan. The Prince of Peace is Jesus, the gloom is the Bible.
12. anonymous

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    Apr 17th 2011 !⃝

    The song is based on The Lord Of The Rings.
13. anonymous

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    Mar 23rd 2011 !⃝

    All this lord of the rings stuff is ridiculous! It's simply a battle of good and evil and how its been around since the beginning of time and always will be around...

    This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
14. anonymous

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    Mar 2nd 2011 !⃝

    This song doesn't only talk about Lord Of The Rings, it also talks about British and Scottish folklore from the 5th and 6th centuries and other novels by J.R.R. Tolkien. Some parts aren't clearly a reference to Tolkien, the folklore, or actual events in history and could easily be referring to more than one. There are no clear bible references that I know of... but I don't know the bible. this is just my interpretation. yes the Queen of Light is obviously Galadriel for many reasons (it was her nickname in another book by J.R.R. Tolkien, she ruled in a city that was lit by her, and she gave Frodo the vial for light which the song is coincidentally talking about in the first line) and the Prince of Peace could be a few different characters, but is most likely Frodo because he was the protagonist of the Lord Of The Rings novels and in the first line it is talking about Galadriel giving Frodo the light and then how he left alone at night time in the beginning of The Return Of The King. the line repeated "dance in the dark of night, sing to the morning light" is talking about the hobbits of the Shire. Avalon is latin for "place with apples" and the "seeds of happiness" that the "valley" holds is probably talking about the other hobbits of the Shire, and other friends around the area, and the "angels of avalon" are probably referring to the same people. when it is said that the "sun is shining, and the clouds of blue roll by" talking about the defeat of Sauron's army and how when the battle (Pelennor Fields) was fought the sky was dark, and once he was defeated the sky went blue again.
15. anonymous

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    Feb 18th 2011 !⃝

    It's based on an old scottish battle, sandy denny sings on this track..
16. anonymous

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    Feb 23rd 2010 !⃝

    yeah! Its a song inspired by The Lord of the Rings, it may also have some Celtic or Norse Mythology References and a few from the bible and legends of King Arthur. At the end of the day its just a beautiful song and we don't need to analyse every word and its deepest darkest meanings, lets just enjoy it and stop turning everything into how we can relate it to the bible! The bible isn't the only story book ever written, Lord of the rings is just as good!
    
    Hehehehe
17. anonymous

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    Nov 18th 2008 !⃝

    Why does every damn thing have to be about the Bible. Galadriel gives Frodo a vile to use as light....duh...the Queen of Light.Frodo is obviously the Prince of Peace. He alone bears the burden. This is about The Rings...period...there is no hidden coming of the Anti Christ meaning for God's sake

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