The Bear and the Maiden Fair (song)

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For the episode, see The Bear and the Maiden Fair.
"The Bear and the Maiden Fair"
Theholdsteadythebearandthemaidenfair.jpg
Single by The Hold Steady
from the album Game of Thrones: Season 3
ReleasedJune 4, 2013
Recorded2012-2013
GenreTelevision soundtrack
Length2:56
LabelWaterTower Music
Songwriter(s)Ramin Djawadi, George R. R. Martin
Producer(s)Ramin Djawadi
Audio sample
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"The Bear and the Maiden Fair"
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"The Bear and the Maiden Fair" is a folk song in A Song of Ice and Fire novels, and it is sung in its television series adaptation Game of Thrones. The lyrics are provided by George R. R. Martin in the original novel; Ramin Djawadi composed the tune's music in 2012, at the request of the series creators David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, and the recording, by The Hold Steady, was arranged by Tad Kubler.

History[]

The US indie rock band The Hold Steady recorded "The Bear and the Maiden Fair" for season 3. Brienne and Jaime's captors (who include musician Gary Lightbody from Snow Patrol, in a cameo appearance) sing the song in episode 3 of that season ("Walk of Punishment"), and The Hold Steady's recording is played over the end credits.[1] The recording was released on a seven-inch record on April 20, 2013.[2]

In the A Song of Ice and Fire novels, "The Bear and the Maiden Fair" is a traditional song popular among people of all social classes throughout Westeros. It recounts the story of a bear, "All black and brown / And covered with hair", who traveled to a summer fair, and smelled "on the summer air ... The maid with honey / In her hair!" Although she vowed that she'll "never dance / With a hairy bear", he "lifted her high / Into the air", and "licked the honey / From her hair", until she "sighed and squealed / And kicked the air", eventually agreeing to go off with her "bear so fair".[3]

Credits[]

  • The Hold Steady – band, primary artist[4]
  • Ramin Djawadi – composer, primary artist, producer[4]
  • David Benioff – liner notes
  • George R.R. Martin – lyricist
  • D.B. Weiss – liner notes
  • Tad Kubler - arrangement

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Power, Rob (April 16, 2013). "Game Of Thrones 3.03 "Walk Of Punishment" REVIEW". SFX. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  2. ^ Hibberd, James (March 5, 2013). "'Game of Thrones' and the Hold Steady team for season 3 song". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
  3. ^ Eakin, Marah (March 3, 2013). "The Hold Steady record a rowdy drinking song for the new season of Game Of Thrones". AV Club. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b "Game of Thrones: Season 3 by Ramin Djawadi". Allmusic.com. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
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