Iphigene here. What is fantasy without some Tolkien? Absurd isn’t it? Since, I don’t think any of us would be able to review any of Tolkien’s work I thought it would be great to feature one of the many ballads/songs in his books.
It is characteristic of The Lord of the Rings series to include a ballad into the story whether its a song of an old myth or that of Bilbo Baggins’ travels, the reader would have to take time to enjoy one of the many songs Tolkien inserted in his stories. Today, for Poetry Friday I share the ballad Far Over the Misty Mountain. If you have seen the recent Peter Jackson Film, The Hobbit, you would have heard this sung by Thorin Oakenshield and the other dwarves. I’m including the music/video at the end for those interested in hearing the music. Thanks to today’s host at Carol’s Corner.
Far Over the Misty Mountain
Far over the misty mountains cold
To dungeons deep, and caverns old
We must away ere break of day
To seek the pale enchanted gold.
The dwarves of yore made mighty spells,
While hammers fell like ringing bells
In places deep, where dark things sleep,
In hollow halls beneath the fells.
For ancient king and elvish lord,
There many a gleaming golden hoard
They shaped and wrought, and light they caught
To hide in gems on hilt of sword.
On silver necklaces they strung
The flowering stars, on crowns they hung
The dragon-fire, in twisted wire
They meshed the light of moon and sun.
Far over the misty mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away, ere break of day,
To claim our long-forgotten gold.
Goblets they carved there for themselves
And harps of gold; where no man delves
There lay they long, and many a song
Was sung unheard by men or elves.
The pines were roaring on the height,
The winds were moaning in the night.
The fire was red, it flaming spread;
The trees like torches blazed with light.
The bells were ringing in the dale
And men looked up with faces pale;
Then dragon’s ire more fierce than fire
Laid low their towers and houses frail.
The mountain smoked beneath the moon;
The dwarves, they heard the tramp of doom.
They fled their hall to dying fall
Beneath his feet, beneath the moon.
Far over the misty mountains grim
To dungeons deep and caverns dim
We must away, ere break of day,
To win our harps and gold from him!
Gathering Books 
I probably shouldn’t confess here that I’m not a fantasy fan and have never read much of Tolkien (or Harry Potter either). You make me think I should add LORD OF THE RINGS to my reading list for 2015. I loved the ballad- I couldn’t get your link to work, but I found it on Youtube.
LikeLike
Hi Carol,
I don’t read that many fantasies either. I read a few here and there, but I’m not particularly interested in it. Tolkien is worth the read. Some find it long and winding, as he sets up the stories and the various races in his books, but its a wonderful book with equal parts adventure, drama, humor and thrill.
LikeLike
Like Carol, I’ve never read much (any??) Tolkien, but I loved the ballad!
LikeLike
Growing up my reading highly depended on what books my older siblings own. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings was one collection that everyone in the family read. It was inevitable I was going to read it. Glad you enjoyed the ballad.
LikeLike
My family is soo excited about the last Hobbit movie. This is quite a description:
“On silver necklaces they strung
The flowering stars, on crowns they hung
The dragon-fire, in twisted wire
They meshed the light of moon and sun.” — no wonder the dragon wanted it!
LikeLike
Same here Tabatha! We can’t wait for the last installment.
There’s been a little changes from the book, but all in all its wonderful.
LikeLike