Bilbo's Last Song by J.R.R. Tolkien | A Tribute to Christopher Tolkien & Sir Ian Holm by Tony Meade

#tolkien #tribute #tributesong
This is my musical adaptation of the J.R.R. Tolkien's poem, "Bilbo's Last Song", which describes the old Hobbit's thoughts as he embarks on his final journey into the West, leaving Middle-earth forever. Of course, this both a metaphor and a direct representation of death in the Middle-earth legendarium, and the ultimate hope of the those within it.
It seemed fitting that Christoper Tolkien, who worked so hard for so many decades, to both protect and expand his father's legacy far beyond what could be published in his father's lifetime, be honored with a send-off of his father's poem on just this subject.
The melody is adapted from the traditional medieval Christmas folk song, "The Wexford Carol". Just as Tolkien said that Bilbo would set his poetry to the tunes of older songs, it seemed justice to do this with one of Tolkien's own poems about Bilbo to honor his own son.
I hope you enjoy it!
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Lyrics (by J.R.R. Tolkien):
Day is ended, dim my eyes,
but journey long before me lies.
Farewell, friends! I hear the call.
The ship's beside the stony wall.
Foam is white and waves are grey;
beyond the sunset leads my way.
Foam is salt, the wind is free;
I hear the rising of the Sea.
Farewell, friends! The sails are set,
the wind is east, the moorings fret.
Shadows long before me lie,
beneath the ever-bending sky,
but islands lie behind the Sun
that I shall raise ere all is done;
lands there are to west of West,
where night is quiet and sleep is rest.
Guided by the Lonely Star,
beyond the utmost harbour-bar,
I'll find the heavens fair and free,
and beaches of the Starlit Sea.
Ship, my ship! I seek the West,
and fields and mountains ever blest.
Farewell to Middle-earth at last.
I see the Star above my mast!
Day is ended, dim my eyes,
but journey long before me lies.
Farewell, friends! I hear the call.
The ship's beside the stony wall.
Foam is white and waves are grey;
beyond the sunset leads my way.
Foam is salt, the wind is free;
I hear the rising of the Sea.

[@raenellbailey4770]

Wow. I'm speechless. Amazing.

[@tonymeademusic]

Thank you so much!

[@MarkPutt]

I Love it, Tony!!!!

[@tonymeademusic]

Thanks, Mark!