The Fall of Gil-galad

The Fall of Gil-galad is sung by Sam Gamgee before he and the other hobbits, led by Strider, reach Weathertop. While Sam believed that Bilbo Baggins wrote the song, Strider tells them that Bilbo translated it from an older tongue. The song is incomplete, as Sam didn't want to learn the rest of the verses, which deal with Mordor.


 * Gil-galad was an Elven-king.
 * Of him the harpers sadly sing:
 * the last whose realm was fair and free
 * between the Mountains and the Sea.


 * His sword was long, his lance was keen.
 * his shining helm afar was seen;
 * the countless stars of heaven's field
 * were mirrored in his silver shield.


 * But long ago he rode away,
 * and where he dwelleth none can say;
 * for into darkness fell his star
 * in Mordor where the shadows are.