First, a confession: I'm no J.R.R. Tolkien.
And by that I mean I'm not all about creating entire languages for my fictional races in my worlds, I don't necessarily have enough layers of fictional mythology and world history to fill another entire book, (see: The Silmarillian), and I'm definitely not a poet.
So when I realized what I had done in Betrayer by creating the Kantra, a system of symbols and lyrics that hold power over creation itself, I panicked. Seriously- me- the one who HATES poetry, and I just came up with these magical songs that are essential to the book's plot. NOOOOOO!!!!!! But by that time it was too late to turn back. I couldn't not put them in, because that would just be weird, and I couldn't remove the whole idea, because that would require rewriting tens of thousands of words and coming up with a new plot.
My forced stint in songwriting began with a look at what type of lyrics I wanted. Something rhythmic, obviously, otherwise it would just be a poem, not a song. Something that rhymed (horror!) - with the exception of the naiad song, which isn't actually part of the Kantra, and doesn't conform to human standards of music and verse. The Kantra is somewhat of a parallel to the Bible in our world, and so to the Bible I went for some inspiration for at least two of the songs.
There was also some music that inspired me. First, the song "Morning has Broken." Love that one. I play it on my tinwhistle all the time. And I admit that was the melody and rhythm that inspire Evie's oft-used healing song.
Second, the work of Fernando Ortega, a contemporary Christian singer/songwriter, whose songs many times echo out of the pages of Psalms. I love how he forms some of my favorite psalms into songs. Psalm 104 especially, in his "Creation Song."
Psalm 130 was the psalm I used for the scene when Breac is held prisoner inside Leazor's mountain of Al Kazam.
Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice: let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications... I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in His word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning...
And from Psalm 139: If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from Thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to Thee.
It was no picnic for this rhyme and rhythm challenged gal, but in then end, that particular song and scene turned out to be one of my all time favorite parts in the book.
From depths of sorrow I have cried
My voice in anguish raised.
Terrors surround on every side;
To You my cry is raised.
Starlight and sunlight have failed me
Darkness swallows my sight.
Yet darkness cannot hide from Thee,
Creator of day and night.
Though in despair, I will wait for You
More than watchmen at the wall,
Waiting for dawn to break anew,
You will hear and
answer my call.
The Creator of all, he heard me
Delivered me from my fears.
Death is swallowed in victory
Out of darkness my hope appears.
My enemies’ power He subdued
At His command, all is well.
He restored my soul, my strength renewed
He spoke and the mountains fell.
