LYRICS
Uther,
What about Mother?
My birth
On Earth
Son of the head dragon
Born of pain
To Ygraine
Mother tires
Over irresponsible pursuit of desires
Arthur pauses
Addressing the root causes
Man’s confusion
Over magical deception and illusion
Will we see
Intergenerational responsibility
Our decisions
Impact profoundly
All that is mine
Deteriorate in decline
Unchecked desires
Mother tires
Wildfires
Rising seas
The future sees
The future seize
- Uther-Pendragon.mp3
- Uther-Pendragon-Unplugged.mp3 (unplugged to conserve energy)
- Uther-Pendragon-Instrumental.mp3
- Uther-LH-Casio-WK-3500.MID (Left Hand / also controlled Korg PS60)
- Uther-RH-Yamaha-PSR-740.MID (Right Hand / also controlled microKorg and miniNOVA vocorder)
Chords: G F E / B E F# / F# B / B C D E / C D E / G F E / B E F# / F# F E C G / C D E; Musette @ 200 BPM
Instrumentation: Vocals (TC-Helicon VOICELIVE and MiniNova Vocorder), Keyboards (Korg PS60, Casio WK-3500, Yamaha PSR-740, MiniNova, MicroKorg)
ABOUT UTHER
Uther Pendragon served as the King of Dumnonia and held the esteemed title of High King of Britain in a bygone era. His tale is steeped in the annals of history, a narrative that unfolds with his profound love for Lady Igraine (Ygraine). Described as a stalwart monarch and a protector of his people, Uther’s leadership left an indelible mark on the kingdom.
The epithet “Pendragon,” originating from Brittonic, translates to “head dragon.” Uther, embodying the strength and resilience symbolized by the dragon, led his fellow warriors to Ireland under the guidance of Merlin. Their mission: to transport the ancient stones of Stonehenge from Ireland to Britain, a testament to Uther’s commitment to his realm.
The course of Uther’s life takes a fateful turn when he becomes captivated by Igraine, the wife of his vassal Gorlois. This forbidden love sparks a war between Uther and Gorlois, leading to a series of events orchestrated by the enigmatic Merlin. Through magical disguise, Uther assumes Gorlois’ appearance, ultimately resulting in the birth of Arthur, the destined “once and future king” – an illegitimate heir.
In the face of ongoing conflicts with the Saxons, Uther makes a poignant decision to ensure Arthur’s safety. Entrusting Merlin with his son’s upbringing, Uther separates from Arthur to confront the challenges posed by the Saxons head-on.
As Uther’s health deteriorates and the Saxon wars take a grim turn, he remains steadfast in leading his army, even earning the moniker “Half-Dead King” from his adversaries. Despite a victorious encounter against Hengist’s son Octa at Verulamium, the Saxons employ treacherous means, poisoning a spring near Verulamium that Uther drinks from, leading to his eventual demise. Uther Pendragon’s legacy endures in the tales of Arthurian legend, reflecting the complex interplay of love, power, and sacrifice in the realm of Camelot.
Uther Pendragon, a legendary figure in Arthurian lore, can be metaphorically linked to the phenomenon of climate change in several ways:
- Irresponsible Pursuit of Desires: Uther’s obsessive love for Lady Igraine, despite the consequences it brings, mirrors humanity’s relentless pursuit of desires that contribute to climate change. The unbridled pursuit of economic and personal interests, often at the expense of environmental well-being, draws parallels to Uther’s singular focus on Igraine.
- Magical Deception and Illusion: Uther’s use of magical deception, facilitated by Merlin, to achieve his desires reflects the illusionary nature of short-term gains in the face of long-term consequences. Similarly, society’s reliance on quick fixes and temporary solutions without addressing the root causes of climate change can be seen as a form of collective illusion.
- Illegitimate Consequences: The birth of Arthur, an illegitimate child resulting from Uther’s actions, symbolizes unintended and often detrimental consequences. Climate change, triggered by human activities, has spawned unintended environmental repercussions, affecting ecosystems, weather patterns, and biodiversity.
- Generational Responsibility: Uther’s decision to entrust Merlin with the upbringing of Arthur signifies the acknowledgment of a need for intergenerational responsibility. In the context of climate change, the current generation’s actions and decisions profoundly impact the well-being of future generations, emphasizing the importance of responsible stewardship of the planet.
- Deterioration and Decline: Uther’s gradual decline in health, exacerbated by the challenges posed by the Saxons, mirrors the gradual deterioration of the Earth’s health due to climate change. The metaphor of the “Half-Dead King” reflects the compromised state of the environment and the urgent need for collective action to address climate-related issues.
In this metaphorical interpretation, Uther Pendragon becomes a symbol representing the consequences of unchecked desires, the importance of responsible decision-making, and the intergenerational implications of climate change.