The Old Walking Song

home | lord of the rings | other books | characters | gallery | poems | quizzes | links | guestbook | email me


This poem appears at the very star of LotR, quoted both by Bilbo and Frodo. It then appears at the end, being said by Bilbo. Later Frodo sings a slightly different version before he and Sam meet Elrond, Galadriel and Bilbo. This last verse sounds more like the Walking Song that the hobbits sing at the start, but it is under The Old Walking Song in the Appendices.


The Old Walking Song

The Road goes ever on and on
      Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
      And I must follow, if I can,
Persuing it with eager feet,
      Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
      And whither then? I cannot say.

The Road goes ever on and on
      Out of the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
      Let other follow it who can!
Let them a journey new begin,
      But I at last with weary feet
Will turn towards the lighted inn,
      My evening-rest and sleep to meet.

Still around the corner there may wait,
      A new road or a secret gate:
And though I oft have passed them by,
      A day will come at last when I
Shall take the hidden paths that run
      West of the Moon, East of the Sun.