Sing now, ye people of the Tower of Anor

From Tolkien Gateway
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"Sing now, ye people of the Tower of Anor" is a proclamation uttered by a great Eagle to the people of Minas Tirith, announcing the defeat of Sauron and the victory of the King. The Eagle came from the Lords of the West right after a wind had cleased the Shadow in the sky. The people in Minas Tirith was already filled with joy because of this, and answered the Eagle's words with songs in the streets.[1]

Poem

Sing now, ye people of the Tower of Anor,
for the Realm of Sauron is ended for ever,
and the Dark Tower is thrown down.

Sing and rejoice, ye people of the Tower of Guard,
for your watch hath not been in vain,
and the Black Gate is broken,
and your King hath passed through,
and he is victorious.

Sing and be glad, all ye children of the West,
for your King shall come again,
and he shall dwell among you
all the days of your life.

And the Tree that was withered shall be renewed,
and he shall plant it in the high places,
and the City shall be blessed.

Sing all ye people!

Inspiration

Tom Shippey explains the clear inspiration of the poem from the Biblical style and language, specially the Psalms. "Sing and rejoice" resembles the "Rejoice in the Lord" from Psalm 33, while the whole poem resembles Psalm 24: "Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in." The imagery is also reminiscent of the Christian defeat upon the gates of hell and Christ's coming.[2]

See also

References