Seven fathers of iron and stone

In the days before the children of Iluvatar arose
When elves and men lay sleeping underneath the frozen snows
As Arda lay in solemness, beneath the empty skies
For mortal men and firstborn elves were still yet to arise

The mighty smith of Arda, the lord of craft and skill
Grew restless in the Timeless Halls, against his master's will
And so he came to his secret hall, beneath the newborn earth
And there he forged the mighty dwarves to bring about their birth

Seven Fathers of iron and stone
Wrought of flesh, sinew and bone
In caverns of darkness, sleeping alone
But to Iluvatar they were known

Iluvatar knew of the ironsmith's plan, to awaken his dwarves before elf and man
To bring his creations into existence, and bring them to life against his insistence
To pass on his knowledge of craftwork and stone, freedom and power, this they were shown
To give them the caverns beneath Middle Earth, their metals and jewels, show them their worth

The mighty smith of Arda, the lord of craft and skill
Had brought about his secret children against his master's will
And in their golden secret hall, beneath the newborn earth
The mighty dwarves which he had forged, he brought about their birth

Seven Fathers of iron and stone
Wrought of flesh, sinew and bone
In caverns of darkness, sleeping alone
But to Iluvatar they were known

Why would you exceed your authority and power
Your children are but imitations, born before their hour
I gave them life and taught my ways, the way you did to me
I only wished to spread my knowledge and how the world shall be
I submit my children to you, do with them what you will
I take them to their cavern home, their fate i will fulfil
No, i take them as my children, take them by my side
They will sleep under the earth til firstborn elves arise