The Rains of Castamere (song)

The Rains of Castamere is a famous song in the world of Game of Thrones. The version used in the TV series was recorded by the American rock band The National, and appears on the Game of Thrones Season 2 Soundtrack, as well as over the closing credits for the episode "Blackwater." The song is the basis of the Lannisters' leitmotif in the TV series's musical score.

Origins
The Rains of Castamere immortalized the destruction of House Reyne by Tywin Lannister. House Reyne was obliterated after they rebelled against their liege lord, Tytos Lannister, who was perceived as weak by his own vassals. To restore Lannister dominance, Tytos' son, Tywin, marched against the upstart Lord Reyne. By the end of the rebellion, Castamere had been put to the torch and all members of House Reyne executed. The title is thus a play on words, as the "rains" fall over the empty halls of the "Reynes" who have been killed to the last man.

The lyrics heavily reference the fact that the sigil of House Reyne was also a lion, but a red one instead of the golden lion used as the sigil of House Lannister. The rebellion of the Reynes against the Lannisters was thus seen as a clash of lions.

In the decades since young Tywin reasserted House Lannister's dominance by crushing the Reynes, The Rains of Castemere went on to become very popular with soldiers of the Westerlands, becoming an "anthem" of sorts for House Lannister. This extends to the point that even Western soldiers sometimes refer to it simply as, "the Lannister song".

Season 2
Tyrion can be heard whistling the tune to the song when he arrives at the Small Council in King's Landing for the first time. Tyrion is heard whistling it again while on his way to visit Shae, when he is surprised to find that Varys is there with her.

Bronn and a number of Lannister men-at-arms sing the song while drinking and whoring prior to the Battle of the Blackwater. When they ask how he came to know "the Lannister song" he simply replies, "Drunk Lannisters."

Lyrics

 * 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.

In the books
In the A Song of Ice and Fire novels, The Rains of Castamere was composed after Tywin Lannister's victory over their rebellious bannermen: House Reyne of Castamere and the ancient House Tarbeck of Tarbeck Hall. Lord Tytos Lannister, Tywin's father, had been a kind but weak ruler. He loaned money to lords who never bothered to repay him and his vassals openly ignored his orders and mocked him in court. When Lord Reyne, known as the Red Lion of Castamere, and Lady Ellyn Tarbeck rose in rebellion, Tywin took it upon himself to deal with the rebellion and wiped out both of the upstart lords, their families and households and put their seats of power to the torch.

Later when another lord and Tywin Lannister had a disagreement over a matter, Tywin Lannister's reply was a minstrel sent with a harp to play the song to this lord who immediately changed his mind and complied.

It is noted as being one of the few songs that the stern Tywin Lannister seems to enjoy, as he is fond of the lyrics.