Where There's a Whip, There's a Way

From Tolkien Gateway

Where There's a Whip, There's a Way is a song, written by Glenn Yarbrough for the 1980 animated movie The Return of the King. The title is a pun on the proverb "Where there's a will, there's a way" and the orc-driver's comment "Where there's a whip, there's a will"[1]. The tune and tone are very similar to Down, Down, To Goblin Town, which had appeared in The Hobbit (1977 film).

The song is sung during the trip Frodo and Sam make through Mordor.

Lyrics[edit | edit source]

Where there's a whip, there's a way.
Where there's a whip, there's a way.
Where there's a whip...[continues in second voice]

We don't wanna go to war today
But the Lord of the Lash says: "nay, nay, nay!"
We're gonna march all day, all day, all day!
Where there's a whip there's a way!

Where there's a whip, there's a way!
Where there's a whip, there's a way!
Where there's a whip, there's a way!
Left, right, left, right, left
Where there's a whip, there's a way!
Left, right

The crack on the back says we're gonna fight
We're gonna march all day and night and more
For we are the slaves of the Dark Lord's war.
Left, right, left, right, left, right

Where there's a whip, there's a way!
Where there's a whip, there's a way.
Where there's a whip...[continues in second voice]

We don't wanna go to war today!
But the Lord of the Lash says: "nay, nay, nay!"
We're gonna march all day, all day, all day!
Where there's a whip there's a way!
Left, right, left right!

[scene of Frodo and Sam]

Where there's a whip!
We don't wanna go to war today!
But the Lord of the Lash says: "nay, nay, nay!"
We're gonna march all day, all day, all day!
Where there's a whip there's a way!

Covers[edit | edit source]

  • World Without Sundays recorded a more electronic/rock version for the DVD, Ringers: Lord of the Fans.
  • Clamavi De Profundis released a more orchestral cover on YouTube.

External links[edit | edit source]

References