Red Diamond is one of the most catchy songs in all of Tamriel.
Instead of cutting the grass or doing a myriad other chores around the house this Labor Day weekend, I slacked off and spent my free time binge gaming in The Elder Scrolls Online. I should feel guilty, but Shor’s bones I had a lot of fun. I joined a new guild, completed a handful of backlogged quests, and crafted dang near what seemed to be a thousand daggers in an effort to increase my neglected blacksmithing skill from 6 to 29.
To craft that many daggers I spent a lot of time buying ingots and supplies from guild traders throughout Tamriel. One of my favorite places to shop for materials was Stormhold — not only because I tended to find the best deals on Orichalc and Dwarven metal, but because I enjoyed listening to the marketplace bard.
Red Diamond
The Stormhold bard plays a trio of songs, but my favorites by far is Red Diamond. This catchy song quickly became my number one Elder Scrolls Online earworm. The song has been playing over and over in my head for days! It’s like some cruel trick of Molag Bal. Make it stop, please!
When Akatosh slew Lorkhan, He ripped his heart right out,
He Hurled it across Tamriel, And the heart was heard to Shout:
Red Diamond! Red Diamond!
The heart and soul of Men.
Red Diamond! Red Diamond!
Protect us till the end.
The laughing hearts sprayed blood afar, A gout on Cyrod fell,
And like a dart shot to its mark, Down in an Ayleid Well.
Magicka fused the Lorkhan Blood To crystal red and strong
Then Wild Elves cut and polished it down To Chim-el Adabal.
Red Diamond! Red Diamond!
The heart and soul of Men.
Red Diamond! Red Diamond!
Protect us till the end.
When Elves lost Nirn to Men, Akatosh gave the stone
To Saint Alesh in token of Her right to sit the throne.
Red Diamond! Red Diamond!
The heart and soul of Men.
Red Diamond! Red Diamond!
Protect us till the end.
I posted a picture below of my Templar listing to the bard. My character even dressed up for the show, sporting a new set of dyed red heavy armor in honor of the performance.
So how about it? Do you like song Red Diamond? How do the music and lyrics compare to other songs in The Elder Scrolls franchise? Share your opinions in the Speak Your Mind section below, and please be sure to include any earworm cures. I sure could use them! Until next time fellow travelers.
P.S. If you still can’t get enough of the song, here’s another YouTube video with Malukah singing Red Diamond.
Shane Scarbrough is the founder of the Skyrim Fansite. He's a business owner, video game journalist, and role playing game aficionado. When he's not working he enjoys reading, writing, and playing video games. He's currently on his third playthrough of Skyrim, and is playing as a Templar in The Elder Scrolls Online. You can find Shane on Google+ and FaceBook.
Agreed. It’s insidious. Can’t get it out of my head. I’m a guitarist, and a student of music, and I’m positive they stole this melody from somewhere. I wanna say its a tears for fears song, or maybe duran duran. particularly the refrain. If someone can remember, you would put my mind at ease.
Agreed. It’s insidious. Can’t get it out of my head. I’m a guitarist, and a student of music, and I’m positive they stole this melody from somewhere. I wanna say its a tears for fears song, or maybe duran duran. particularly the refrain. If someone can remember, you would put my mind at ease.
SLP, Josh.
The chorus is clearly based on the Elder Scrolls (Morrowind) theme. Listen to the notes at Dia-, Dia-, heart, Man and you’ll hear it.