Poetry and Songs Inspired by Lord of the Rings
- Roots of the Rocks
- This is a song about Smeagol the Stoor Hobbit who is corrupted by the Ring and becomes Gollum. I've been really hesitant to write about this because Gollum is the most complex character in Tolkien's writing (Maybe with the exception of Feanor, but it's the same principle) but unlike Feanor, has a voice that's extremely difficult to write for. After writing for Fingolfin, The Last Strokes of Ringil, (an equally hard piece), I guess I've been motivated to try new challenges. Written February 24, 2005.
- Battle at the Black Gates
- This poem is about Return of the King, telling the tales of Aragorn leading the Army of the Dead after the Battle of Helm's Deep, Frodo and Sam's trek into Mordor, Merry's valiant attack on the Witch-King of Angmar, and Pippin and Beregond saving Faramir's life. Written December 1-10(?) of 2004.
- Ring Bearer
- This is a song about Frodo, for the most part based on the last stretch of his journey from leaving Faramir until he finally reached Mount Doom. Written December 22-30, 2004.
- Ride of the Rohirrim
- Telling of the Rohirrim, including the treachery of Saruman and Grima Wormtongue, the stand at Helm's Deep, and the ride to Gondor until King Theoden was killed by the Witch-King. Written Late May or Early June 2004.
- What's a Hero?
- This song was specifically written for my first solo gig. It tells of Samwise the Brave, and how he stood by his master until the very end. Written June 6-12, 2004.
- The Elf of the Wand
- An ode to Gandalf. 'Gandalf' can be translated from Northern Tongues of men of Middle Earth to mean 'Elf of the Wand,' because his powers over the unseen led men to believe he was an elf, and his staff was referred to (incorrectly) as a wand. 'Mithrandir' is his elvish name, which is Sindarin (A form of Elvish) for 'the Grey Pilgrim.' Gandalf came to Middle Earth in the year 1000 of the Third Age with 4 companions of his order, sent by the Vala to aid the free people of Middle Earth to fight Sauron. Gandalf is the only one of the 5 Istari (Wizards) to complete his task, Radagast the Brown slacked off to live among the animals, Sauruman the White (who later became Sauruman of Many-Colors) was cast out for his betrayal, and the two Blue Wizards, Alatar and Pallando, who were lost to the East (Nothing is certain of these two wizards, they journeyed east and either died, found distant, unchartered lands in which they settled, or became servants of Sauron). Written February 7, 2005.
- Hand me Down From Heaven
- The tale of Beren and Luthien, an elf princess and man who were doomed to never live in peace and at the last were joined together in a place where no mortal or immortal knows of save themselves and Mandos, the doomsayer of the Valar. Beren was a mortal man, son of Barahir which made him wanted by Melkor. He was escaping Melkor's servants when he chanced upon Luthien in the realm of Dior. She was daughter of Melian, a maiar (demi-God) and Thingol, one of the first-born elves, and is said to be the most beautiful being to ever grace Middle Earth. When Beren saw her, he named her 'Tinuviel,' or 'Nightingale.' Written May of 2004.
- The Last Strokes of Ringil
- The valiant last stand of Fingolfin. An Elven-King of Noldor blood, his people were attacked at unawares by the hosts of Morgoth and was fighting a losing battle against Orcs, Balrogs, and the Dragon lord Glaurung. When he realized he was defeated, he rode alone to Morgoth's fortress Angband in such a fury men thought it was the coming of a God. He challenged Morgoth and gave him seven wounds before he was thrown down and killed at the last. At his death, no orcs ever made any boast, and elves sang no songs as their sorrow was so deep. Written February 8, 2005.
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