J.R.R. Tolkien is remembered today for his groundbreaking, beloved trilogy, The Lord of the Rings, and the related short novel The Hobbit. His poems, many of which related directly to his stories, are lesser-known but well worth reading on their own. Read more about J.R.R. Tolkien.
Some of Tolkien’s most famous poems include All that is gold does not glitter, Far over the misty mountains cold, The Road Goes Ever On, and The Riddle of Strider.
‘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 from Smaug.
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.
‘The Shadow Bride’ conceptualizes the contrast between light and darkness, as well as stillness and movement through personification.
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.
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.
‘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.”
‘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.
Roads go ever ever on,
Over rock and under tree,
By caves where never sun has shone,
By streams that never find the sea;
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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