Namárië

Namárië, also known as Altariello nainië Lóriendessë or the Farewell, was a lament sung in Quenya by Galadriel as the Nine Walkers sailed away from Lothlórien. It was said that she sang of things little known to Middle-earth, suggesting it was either from the Elder Days or regarding Valinor.

Words

Quenya

Ai! laurië lantar lassi súrinen,
yéni únótimë ve rámar aldaron!
Yéni ve lintë yuldar avánier
mi oromardi lisse-miruvóreva
Andúnë pella, Vardo tellumar
nu luini yassen tintilar i eleni
ómaryo airetári-lírinen.

Sí man i yulma nin enquantuva?

An sí Tintallë Varda Oiolossëo
ve fanyar máryat Elentári ortanë,
ar ilyë tier undulávë lumbulë;
ar sindanóriello caita mornië
i falmalinnar imbë met, ar hísië
untúpa Calaciryo míri oialë.
Sí vanwa ná, Rómello vanwa, Valimar!

Namárië! Nai hiruvalyë Valimar.
Nai elyë hiruva. Namárië!

Translation

Ah! like gold fall the leaves in the wind,
long years numberless as the wings of trees!
The years have passed like swift draughts
of the sweet mead in lofty halls beyond the West,
beneath the blue vaults of Varda
wherein the stars tremble in the song of her voice, holy and queenly.

Who now shall refill the cup for me?

For now the Kindler, Varda, the Queen of the Stars,
from Mount Everwhite has uplifted her hands like clouds,
and all paths are drowned deep in shadow;
and out of a grey country darkness lies on the foaming waves between us,
and mist covers the jewels of Calacirya for ever.
Now lost, lost to those from the East is Valimar!

Farewell! Maybe thou shalt find Valimar.
Maybe even thou shalt find it. Farewell!

Etymology

Namárië is a name in Quenya meaning "Farewell", consisting of the words ná- ("be") and márië ("well").

Altariello nainië Lóriendessë is a name in Quenya meaning "Galadriel's lament in Lórien".

Adaptations

In Howard Shore’s piece “The Great River” the start of the vocals is the beginning verse of Galadriel’s song.

Translations

Foreign Language	Translated name
Korean	나마리에