Dwarvish and Valaam Chant

Far over the misty mountains cold,

To dungeons deep and caverns old,

We must away, ere break of day,

To claim our long-forgotten gold.

The pines were roaring on the height

The winds were moaning in the night

The fire was red, it flaming spread

The trees like torches, blazed with light.

If you're having trouble getting this song out of your head after watching The Hobbit this weekend, or if you want something in the same style, I got it.  I was wondering, what it was, besides the depth of the dwarves' range, that resonated with me in this song.  Then I realized, dwarvish "chant" has the same thick and haunting bass drones (ison) as the Russian Orthodox chant from Valaam.

Both styles of chants have a single distinct melody, but rather than shadow the lead with some kind of harmonious parallel melody, the basses simply and deliberately shift up and down to change "the ground of the sound."  I don't know if Howard Shore or the other composers were inspired by Valaam, but it is interesting to note that monks, like dwarves, are bearded men, who enjoy singing and ale (Trappists), but who are more profoundly united by a common mission: their longing return to their true home, which was lost long ago.

The Beatitudes

Rejoice, Thou Bride Unwedded

A little more polyphonic