J.R.R. Tolkien

13 Must-Read J.R.R. Tolkien Poems

J.R.R. Tolkien is celebrated for his monumental works ‘The Lord of the Rings‘ and ‘The Hobbit,’ he also crafted poems that resonate deeply with the themes and settings of his narratives.

Among his most famous poems are ‘All that is gold does not glitter,’ ‘Far over the misty mountains cold,’ and’ ‘The Road Goes Ever On.’ These pieces not only enrich the lore of Middle-earth but stand as captivating reads on their own, showcasing Tolkien’s mastery over language and his ability to weave profound meaning into every line.

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The Road Goes Ever On

‘The Road Goes Ever On’ by J.R.R. Tolkien consists of only two verses, but the structure and approach within them are sufficient to highlight the epic journey before and after the song surfaces in the book.

This is one of J.R.R. Tolkien’s most popular poems/songs. The poem appeared in The Lord of the Rings trilogy as well as within The Hobbit. The song is generally recited while characters are walking or traveling somewhere. The song is appealing due to its very steady rhythm and the heavy use of alliteration and repetition. Such as in the lines “Roads go ever ever on / Under cloud and under star”.

Roads go ever ever on,

Over rock and under tree,

By caves where never sun has shone,

By streams that never find the sea;

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I Sit and Think

Tolkien’s ‘I Sit and Think’ delves into an elder’s reflections on past seasons and the stark reality of mortality.

This poem navigates the introspective thoughts of an aging individual, mulling over vibrant memories and the inevitable approach of death. Tolkien weaves a narrative that transcends time, capturing the universal essence of human existence. Through the poignant reflection of lost times and the contemplation of a future unseen, the piece resonates deeply, highlighting the shared destiny of all life in the face of mortality.

I sit beside the fire and think

of all that I have seen,

of meadow-flowers and butterflies

In summers that have been;

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Far over the misty mountains cold

‘Far over the Misty Mountains Cold’ by J.R.R. Tolkien depicts the destruction of Thorin Oakenshield’s home and his desire to win it back.

The haunting refrain of the poem, “Far over the misty mountains grialm / To dungeons deep and caverns dim / We must away, ere break of day,” first appears among images of blazing forges, gold, and ancient kings. Then, the story gets darker and the beautiful mountain referenced in the first lines is “smoked beneath the moon.” The dragon came and spread his fire throughout the lands. The dwarves were forced to abandon their homes.

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.

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All Ye Joyful

‘All Ye Joyful’ celebrates Bilbo’s return and the dwarves’ victory, embodying the world’s goodness through lively natural imagery.

An uplifting and light-hearted poem, ‘All Ye Joyful’ is sung by the Elves of Rivendell when they welcome Bilbo Baggins back to their home. They celebrate his arrival, the victory of the dwarves over the dragon, and the general goodness that exists in the world, at least for time. The poem contains a great deal of natural imagery, much of which is personified. The elves directly address the trees asking them, towards the end of the poem, to stop sighing so that Bilbo can get some sleep.

Sing all ye joyful, now sing all together!

The wind’s in the tree-top, the wind's in the heather;

The stars are in blossom, the moon is in flower,

And bright are the windows of Night in her tower.

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All Woods Must Fail

A short poem addressing “Wanderers in the shadowed land,” urging hope amidst darkness and despair, reminding that “All Woods Must Fail”.

This piece is a short, seven-line poem that speaks about darkness, light, and the end of both. The speaker directs his words to “Wanderers in the shadowed land”. He is specifically interested in those who are feeling despair. He tells them not to, and to remember that nothing goes on forever, “all woods must fail” sometimes.

O! Wanderers in the shadowed land

Despair not! For though dark they stand,

All woods there be must end at last,

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Upon the Hearth the Fire is Red

‘Upon the Hearth the Fire is Red’ explores travel and excitement of unseen sights, reflecting on the journey’s allure and the notion of home.

Found in The Fellowship of the Ring, this song delves into themes of adventure and exploration, capturing the speaker's enthusiasm for new experiences "we alone" have seen. Despite fatigue, he is compelled to journey through nature's beauty, drawn by the future's promise, contemplating the possibility of return. The narrative transitions from shadow to starlight, symbolizing the journey's transformative essence and the speaker's reflections on home versus the vastness of the world.

Upon the hearth the fire is red,

Beneath the roof there is a bed;

But not yet weary are our feet,

Still round the corner we may meet

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All that is gold does not glitter

‘All that is gold does not glitter,’ also known as ‘The Riddle of Strider,’ or ‘Song of Aragorn,’ hints at unseen depth and destinies.

This short poem contains Tolkien’s most commonly quoted line, “Not all those who wander are lost”. The consistent rhyme scheme in the eight lines of the poem alludes to the fact that it should be said out loud, or even sung. It tells of wanderers, specifically the character Aragorn from The Lord of the Rings, who is the “crownless” mentioned in the final line.

All that is gold does not glitter,

Not all those who wander are lost;

The old that is strong does not wither,

Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

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Cat

‘Cat’ explores a house cat’s dreams, hinting at desires for larger prey and a longing for its wild, lion heritage.

One of Tolkien’s lesser-known and simpler poems, depicts the true nature of a sleeping house cat. The speaker describes the animal as only appearing to dream of simple things. We might see it as longing for little mice and milk but in reality, it is dreaming of eating larger prey, including humans. Cats have not, the speaker asserts, forgotten their heritage. They long to be free as lions, as they once were.

The fat cat on the mat

may seem to dream

of nice mice that suffice

for him, or cream;

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In the Western Lands

Contrasting the serene ‘western lands beneath the Sun’ with a grim present, the speaker refuses to ‘bid the Stars farewell.’

This poem contrasts the serene 'western lands beneath the Sun' with the speaker's grim reality, refusing to 'bid the Stars farewell.' The first stanza celebrates safety and beauty through nature and Elven-stars. The second reveals the speaker's dark circumstances but underscores their determination not to lose hope, symbolizing resilience in the face of despair.

In western lands beneath the Sun

the flowers may rise in Spring,

the trees may bud, the waters run,

the merry finches sing.

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Farewell we call to hearth and hall

Sung by Merry and Pippin in ‘The Fellowship of the Ring,’ the poem underscores urgency and alludes to future dangers and Rivendell.

This poem was first published in The Fellowship of the Ring. it is sung by two of the main characters, hobbits Merry and Pippin, after they learn about Frodo’s quest. It is their determination that everyone needs to leave as soon as possible to escape at least some of the danger they are in. The short poem/song alludes to the future, which will be even more dangerous, as well as to the elves and their home at Rivendell.

Farewell we call to hearth and hall!

Though wind may blow and rain may fall,

We must away ere break of day

Far over wood and mountain tall.

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The Shadow Bride

‘The Shadow Bride’ conceptualizes the contrast between light and darkness, as well as stillness and movement through personification.

Tolkien's storytelling skills are clearly visible in the poem. The poet effectively develops characters and builds tension for the climax. The characters are central to the clearly defined plot.

There was a man who dwelt alone

Beneath the moon in shadow.

He sat as long as lasting stone,

And yet he had no shadow.

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Song of Beren and Lúthien

Song of Beren and Lúthien by J.R.R. Tolkien is a poem that features within The Lord of the Rings books. It is a story about a love between a man and an elf, told to the hobbits by Aragorn.

This poem doesn't tell a grand story as some of his other works do but hints at more of a story to be told, which is characteristic of Tolkien's world-building. It features characters who were among Tolkien's favorites, and the story was very personal to him. He saw it as one of the central stories of his legendarium.

The leaves were long, the grass was green,

The hemlock-umbels tall and fair,

And in the glade a light was seen

Of stars in shadow shimmering.

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The Riddle of Strider

‘The Riddle of Strider’ by J.R.R. Tolkien depicts story highlights for one character from The Lord of the Rings. That character is Aragorn, from his heritage to his becoming “king.”

All that is gold does not glitter,

Not all those who wander are lost;

The old that is strong does not wither,

Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

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