DUEL OF THE FATES

Duel of the Fates is a song from the soundtrack of Star Wars Episode I : The Phantom Menace. It is played in the movie during the fight between Darth Maul and Qui-Gon Jinn / Obiwan Kenobi. This fight scene and the music made quite an impression on me. It is perhaps my favorite part of the movie. Naturally, I was interested in knowing more about this piece of music, so I searched on the net, and the results were even more intriguing than I had imagined.

John Williams is the composer of the music for the Star Wars movies. For this song, he took one line from the Robert Graves poem "The Battle of the Trees", aka "Cad Goddeu" / "Cad Goddeau", aka "Battle of Achren". This poem comes from an old Welsh tale. Robert Graves published his version of the poem in his work The White Goddess. The line used for Duel of the Fates is:

"Under the tongue root a fight most dread, and another raging, behind, in the head."

"A fight most dread" certainly goes along with the action during this scene of the movie, where the Jedi and sith are fighting to the death. "Another raging, behind, in the head" also goes along with the movie, though not as literally. It could reflect the mental/emotional struggle between good and evil that each person, Jedi or not, faces.

In Episode 2: Attack of the Clones, Duel of the Fates is played briefly during the scene where Anakin is racing along on the speeder bike to find his mother Shmi, who has been abducted by Tusken Raiders. In this part of the movie, Anakin is filled with grief, anger, and hatred. There is definitely a battle raging within his head, a battle between the violent emotions he is feeling, and the cool unemotional calm that he is supposed to strive for as a Jedi.

As for "under the tongue-root", this phrase did not make much sense to me, not even when looking within the context of the whole Graves poem. However, when I read another, probably older version of the story, it seems to have something to do with a fight going on with a large monster of some sort. Apparently, part of the fight was located at the monster's neck, at the root of its tongue. That is my interpretation at least; it still may not be what was originally meant.

John Williams had this line of the poem translated into several languages, and took the one that sounded the best. This was the version in Sanskrit or a similar language. He then used those words to form the lyrics for the song, which begin:

Korah Matah Korah Rahtahmah
Korah Rahtamah Yoodhah Korah...

The original version of Duel of the Fates appears on Star Wars Episode I : The Phantom Menace, the movie soundtrack released on the Sony label in 1999. It also appears on The Ultimate Edition, Star Wars The Phantom Menace Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, released by Sony in 2000. This double-CD album contains all the music from the movie, plus additional tracks including a dialogue version of Duel of the Fates.

A CD single called Duel of the Fates - The Dance Remixes was also released in 1999 by Updego/Beloved Entertainment Group, under the artist name 'Wasabees'. It seems to now be out of print. This CD has 4 dance remixes of the song. While not having the same quality as the original (with the vocals seeming noticeably different), these remixes are fun if you like the original music and also like dance music. You can check for the availability and price of this item at various online music stores at gemm.com
 

Below are various related links, including ones from where I gathered some of the above information:

*** - a review of The Phantom Menace soundtrack, by Andreas Lindahl; also includes lyrics

*** - detailed review including lyrics and translations of some of the words

*** - 2 versions of lyrics plus word translations and links to online Sanskrit translators

*** - lyrics (alternate spelling) plus translations of some individual words, as posted to UseNet

**1 - **2 - **3 - **4 - these pages all contain the same Robert Graves version of Cad Goddeu

**1 - Cad Goddeau, an older version of the poem
**2 - same version as above. This page indicates it is "a mid-Victorian translation of the original ... from the book "Fairy Wicca" by Kisma Stepanich.
**3 - same as above, as posted to UseNet

*** - a different older version of the poem, from Taliesin by John Matthews

*** - The Battle of Godeu, a different older version of the poem by Revd. Robert Williams

*** - *** - Mabinogion, Welsh mythology

*** - "Duel of the Fates" FAQ from the alt.fan.starwars newsgroup.

Various old UseNet posts related to Cad Goddeu (found by searching Google Groups for "Cad Goddeu"):
**1 - **2 - **3 - **4 - **5 - **6 - **7 - **8 - **9 - *10

*** - the official Star Wars site;
has the Duel of the Fates video and various teasers/trailers online, but you need the Quicktime plugin installed AND a good connection to view them.

Here is a midi version of the song. Naturally, if you listen to the original version that appears on the movie soundtrack, it will sound much better and you will also be able to hear the vocals!

Duel of the Fates
by John Williams
midi sequenced by Chris McMartin.

I've decided to copy these Usenet postings to this page, since Deja-news kept moving them, and now Deja-news is gone. Google Groups has them now.

Google Groups page for the following UseNet thread.



 >> Forum: rec.arts.sf.starwars.misc
 >> Thread: Duel of the Fates Lyrics 
 >> Message 1 of 1

 Subject: Re: Duel of the Fates Lyrics
 Date:    09/08/1999
 Author:  Anne Marsden


 Here's the best post I remember from deja.com. There was a little 
 discussion on exactly how the Sanskrit
 should be, but this is the best complete post.
  
 Sorry if it wraps.
  
 Anne M
  
 >>>>>>>>>>>>>
  
  
 There are three kinds of Sanskrit. Vedic, classical
 and Hollywood.
  
 Here are "Duel of the Fates" Sanskit lyrics from
 Star Wars, Eposode 1.
  
       Khara Matha Khara Rath Amah
       Khara Rath Amah Yuddha Khara
       Khara Syada Rath Amah Dai Ya
       Khara Ki La Dan Ya
       Niha Ki La Khara Rath Amah
       Syada Ki La Khara Rath Amah
       Khara Dan Ya Khara Rath Amah
       Khara Dan Ya Khara Rath Amah
       Niha Ki La Khara Rath Amah
       Syada Ki La Khara Rath Amah
         Khara
         Khara Matha Khara Rath Amah
         Khara Dan Ya Khara Rath Amah
         Niha Ki La Khara Rath Amah
         Syada Ki La Khara Rath Amah
         Khara
  
         Supposed meanings:
  
             Khara = dreadful
             Matha = head
             Rath = speak
             Amah = give
             Yuddha = battle
             Syada = raging
             Dai = purify
               Ya = going
               Ki = like
               La = taking
               Dan = separate
               Niha = loss
  
       Williams used just one line -literally transcribed into
       Sanskrit- from Robert Graves' translation of the Celtic
       Poem "Cad Goddeu" ("The Battle of the Trees"): 
  
       "Under the tongue root a fight most dread, and another
         raging, behind, in the head."
  
         Choral music appearing at the end of the film
           (track 16 of the CD):
  
           Mahdhurah swehpna
           Go rahdomah swepna
           Mahdhurah swehpna
             Go rahdomah swepna
             Moorittioo mahdurah swehpna
  
             and here are the supposed meanings:
  
           Go = to set out for battle
             Swepnah, Swapna = dream, dreaming
             Madhura, Madhurah = sweet
             Moorittioo = death
  
             Here is the challange. Can anyone reconstruct
             the actual Sanskrit texts?
  
             Yashwant
  
 >>>>>>>
 End included text.





Google Groups page for the following UseNet thread.



>> Forum: alt.toys.gi-joe
>> Thread: Cad Goddeau
>> Message 1 of 1

Subject: Re: Cad Goddeau
Date:    09/28/1999
Author:  Brian Garcia

 Can we say Waaaaay too much spare time?  Seriosly
 interesting info.

 Brian
 Pat Kelley wrote in message
 news:7srfaj$u17$1@nntp4.atl.mindspring.net...
 > THOR
 >
 > Sanskit is not my native tongue
 > Nor is my Gael very good.
 > Somthing I should remedy as the greatest Warrior Poets are celts;-)
 > Your lyics are the Sanskrit ( an Indian language)
 > Per my finacee's research,(She is the gaelphile of the family)
 > John Williams had the Robert Grave's translation of "Cad Goddeu" aka Battle
 > of the transalted into several ancient languages. He chose the sanskit
 > version as the score for Duel of The Fates.
 > I have found a full version of the the Epic Poem
 > Thanks for the challenge.
 > It was very informative.
 >
 > Pat Kelley
 >
 >
 >
 >    I have been in many shapes,
 >    Before I attained a congenial form.
 >    I have been a narrow blade of a sword.
 >    (I will believe it when it appears.)
 >    I haye been a drop in the  air.
 >    I have been a shining Star.
 >    I have been a  word in a  book.
 >    I have been a book  originally.
 >    I have been a light in a lantern.
 >  10 A year and a half.
 >    I have been a bridge for passing over
 >    Three-score rivers.
 >    I have journeyed as an eagle.
 >    I have been a boat on the  sea.
 >  15 I have been a director in battle.
 >    I have been the string of a child's swaddling clout.
 >    I have been a sword in the hand.
 >    I have been a shield in the fight.
 >    I have been the string of a harp,
 >  20 Enchanted for a year
 >    In the foam of water.
 >    I have been a poker in the fire.
 >    I have been a tree in a covert.
 >    There is nothing in which I have not been.
 >  25 I have fought, though small,
 >    In the Battle of Goddeu Brig,
 >    Before the Ruler of Britain,
 >    Abounding in fleets.
 >    Indifferent bards pretend,
 >  30 They pretend a monstrous beast,
 >    With a hundred heads,
 >    And a grievous combat
 >    At the root of the tongue.
 >    And another fight there is
 >  35 At the back of the head.
 >    A toad having on his thighs
 >    A hundred claws,
 >    A spotted crested snake,
 >    For punishing in their flesh
 >  40 A hundred souls on account of their sins.
 >    I was in Caer efynedd,
 >    Thither were hastening grasses and trees.
 >    Wayfarers perceive them,
 >    Warriors are astonished
 >  45 At a renewal of the conflicts
 >    Such as Gwydion made.
 >    There is calling on Heaven,
 >    And on Christ that he would effect
 >    Their deliverance,
 >  50 The all-powerful Lord.
 >    If the Lord had answered,
 >    Through charms and magic skill,
 >    Assume the forms of the principal trees,
 >    With you in array
 >  55 Restrain the people
 >    Inexperienced in battle.
 >    When the trees were enchanted
 >    There was hope for the trees,
 >    That they should frustrate the intention
 >  60 Of the surrounding fires....
 >    Better are three in unison,
 >    And enjoying themselves in, a circle,
 >    And one of them relating
 >    The story of the deluge,
 >  65 And of the cross of Christ,
 >    And of the Day of judgement near at hand.
 >    The alder-trees in the first line,
 >    They made the commencement.
 >    Willow and quicken tree,
 >  70 They were slow in their array.
 >    The plum is a tree
 >    Not beloved of men;
 >    The medlar of a like nature,
 >    Over coming severe toil.
 >  75 The bean bearing in its shade
 >    And army of phantoms.
 >    The raspberry makes
 >    Not the best of food.
 >    In shelter live,
 >  80 The privet and the woodbine,
 >    And the ivy in its season.
 >    Great is the gorse in battle.
 >    The cherry-tree had been reproached.
 >    The birch, though very magnanimous,
 >  85 Was late in arraying himself;
 >    It was not through cowardice,
 >    But on account of his great size.
 >    The appearance of the ...
 >    Is that of a foreigner and a savage.
 >  90 The pine-tree in the court,
 >    Strong in battle,
 >    By me greatly exalted
 >    In the presence of kings,
 >    The elm-trees are his subjects.
 >  95 He turns not aside the measure of a foot,
 >    But strikes right in the  middle,
 >    And at the farthest end.
 >    The hazel is the judge,
 >    His berries are thy dowry.
 > 100 The privet is blessed.
 >    Strong chiefs in war
 >    And the ... and the mulberry.
 >    Prosperous the beech-tree.
 >    The holly dark green,
 > 105 He was very courageous:
 >    Defended with spikes on every side,
 >    Wounding the hands.
 >    The long-enduring poplars
 >    Very much broken in fight.
 > 110 The plundered fern;
 >    The brooms with their offspring:
 >    The furze was not well behaved
 >    Until he was tamed
 >    The heath was giving consolation,
 > 115 Comforting the people -
 >    The black cherry-tree was pursuing.
 >    The oak-tree swiftly moving,
 >    Before him tremble heaven and earth,
 >    Stout doorkeeper against the foe
 > 120 Is his name in all lands.
 >    The corn-cockle bound together,
 >    Was given to be burnt.
 >    Others were rejected
 >    On account of the holes made
 > 125 By great violence
 >    In the field of battle.
 >    Very wrathful the ...
 >    Cruel the gloomy ash.
 >    Bashful the chestnut-tree,
 > 130 Retreating from happiness.
 >    There shall be a black darkness,
 >    There shall be a shaking of the mountain,
 >    There shall be a purifying furnace,
 >    There shall first be a great wave,
 > 135 And when the shout shall be heard,
 >    Putting forth new leaves are the tops of the beech,
 >    Changing form and being renewed from a withered state;
 >    Entangled are the tops of the oak.
 >    From the Gorchan of Maelderw.
 > 140 Smiling at the side of the rock
 >    (Was) the pear-tree not of an ardent nature.
 >    Neither of mother or father,
 >    When I was made,
 >    Was my blood or body;
 > 145 Of nine kinds of faculties,
 >    Of fruit of fruits,
 >    Of fruit God made me,
 >    Of the blossom of the mountain primrose,
 >    Of the buds of trees and shrubs,
 > 150 Of earth of earthly kind.
 >    When I was made
 >    Of the blossoms of the nettle,
 >    Of the water of the ninth wave,
 >    I was spell-bound by Math
 > 155 Before I became immortal.
 >    I was spell-bound by Gwydion,
 >    Great enchanter of the Britons,
 >    Of Eurys, of Eurwn,
 >    Of Euron, of Medron,
 > 160 In myriads of secrets,
 >    I am as learned as Math....
 >    I know about the Emperor
 >    When he was half burnt.
 >    I know the star-knowledge
 > 165 Of stars before the earth (was made),
 >    Whence I was born,
 >    How many worlds there are.
 >    It is the custom of accomplished bards
 >    To recite the praise of their country.
 > 170 I have played in Lloughor,
 >    I have slept in purple.
 >    Was I not in the enclosure
 >    With Dylan Ail Mor,
 >    On a couch in the centre
 > 175 Betueen the two knees of the prince
 >    Upon two blunt spears?
 >    When from heaven came
 >    The torrents into the deep,
 >    Rushing with violent impulse.
 > 180 (I know) four-score songs,
 >    For administering to their pleasure.
 >    There is neither old nor young,
 >    Except me as to their poems,
 >    Any other singer who knows the whole of the nine hundred
 > 185 Which are known to me,
 >    Concerning the blood-spotted sword.
 >    Honour is my guide.
 >    Profitable learning is from the Lord.
 >    (I know) of the slaying of the boar,
 > 190 Its appearing, its disappearing,
 >    Its knowledge of languages.
 >    (I know) the light whose name is Splendour,
 >    And the number of the ruling lights
 >    That scatter rays of fire
 > 195 High above the deep.
 >    I have been a spotted snake upon a hill;
 >    I have been a viper in a lake;
 >    I have been an evil star formerly.
 >    I have been a weight in a mill.(?)
 > 200 My cassock is red all over.
 >    I prophesy no evil.
 >    Four score puffs of smoke
 >    To every one l who will carry them away:
 >    And a million of angels,
 > 205 On the point of my knife.
 >    Handsome is the yellow horse,
 >    But a hundred times  better
 >    Is my cream-coloured  one,
 >    Swift as the sea-mew,
 > 210 Which cannot pass me
 >    Between the sea and the shore.
 >    Am I not pre-eminent in the field of blood?
 >    I have a hundred shares of the spoil.
 >    My wreath is of red jewels,
 > 215 Of gold is the border of my shield.
 >    There has not been born one so good as I,
 >    Or ever known,
 >    Except Goronwy,
 >    From the dales of Edrywy.
 > 220 Long and white are my fingers,
 >    It is long since I was a herdsman.
 >    I travelled over the earth
 >    Before I became a learned person.
 >    I have travelled, I have made a circuit,
 > 225 I have slept in a hundred islands;
 >    I have dwelt in a hundred cities.
 >    Learned Druids,
 >    Prophesy ye of Arthur?
 >    Or is it me they celebrate,
 > 230 And the Crucfixion of Christ,
 >    And the Day of Judgement near at hand,
 >    And one relating
 >    The history of the Deluge ?
 >    With a golden jewel set in gold
 >    I am enriched;
 >    And I am indulging in pleasure
 >    Out of the oppressive toil of the goldsmith.
 >
 >
 >
 >
 > THOR wrote in message
 <7sp7jj$3eb$1@nntp8.atl.mindspring.net>...
 > >Korah Matah Korah Rahtahmah
 > >Korah Rahtamah Yoodhah Korah
 > >Korah Syahdho Rahtahmah Daanyah
 > >Korah Keelah Daanyah
 > >Nyohah Keelah Daanyah Rahtahmah
 > >Syadho Keelah Daanyah Rahtahmah
 > >Korah Daanyah Korah Rahtahmah
 > >Korah Daanyah Korah Rahtahmah
 > >Nyohah Keelah Daanyah Rahtahmah
 > >Syadho Keelah Daanyah Rahtahmah
 > >Korah
 > >Korah Matah Korah Rahtahmah
 > >Korah Daanyah Korah Rahtahmah
 > >Nyohah Keelah Daanyah Rahtahmah
 > >Syadho Keelah Daanyah Rahtahmah
 > >Korah
 > >
 > >C'mon Pat Kelley, let's see ya translate thou native tongue.
 > >
 > >Say you not know the Battle of the Trees?
 > >
 > >When bards' harps are still, so to rest our warriors deeds.
 > >
 > >THOR
 > >
 > >
 > >
 >
 >