Strange that no one has thought of it before...

[Essex]

Zoe + Doug, you would love the 'Use well the days' song by Annie Lennox that uses the words from Frodo's last song you mention above. Mark12_30 found a link to an mpeg version of the song. It's quite brilliant. http://lotrscrapbook.bookloaf.net/ref/menu.html

Hannah, BBC Radio's adaptation of LOTR has some great music to Sam's song, In Western Lands beneath the Sun. Have a listen (if you get the new cd version it has a cd of all the songs seperatly)

Volraphion, the Fall of Gil-Galad song that Sam recites that you mention above goes like this:

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.

Again, BBC Radio has a great version of this poem as a song.

but finally, who could forget Frodo's poem about the old man in a battered hat........

When evening in the Shire was grey
his footsteps on the Hill were heard;
before the dawn he went away
on journey long without a word.

From Wilderland to Western shore,
from northern waste to southern hill,
through dragon-lair and hidden door
and darkling woods he walked at will.

With Dwarf and Hobbit, Elves and Men,
with mortal and immortal folk,
with bird on bough and beast in den,
in their own secret tongues he spoke.

A deadly sword, a healing hand,
a back that bent beneath its load;
a trumpet-voice, a burning brand,
a weary pilgrim on the road.

A lord of wisdom throned he sat,
swift in anger, quick to laugh;
an old man in a battered hat
who leaned upon a thorny staff.

He stood upon the bridge alone
and Fire and Shadow both defied;
his staff was broken on the stone,
in Khazad-dûm his wisdom died.

And finally, Nimikôi, Gimli's poem you mention is one of my favourites. Have a listen to Gimli's recital on the BBC Radio adaptation. It is stunning.

PS No, I don't work for BBC Radio or take any cut in their profits!!!