The Fall of Gil-galad
From Tolkien Gateway
- "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."
- ― The Fall of Gil-galad, spoken by Samwise Gamgee[1]
The Fall of Gil-galad is the lay that tells of the loss of Ereinion Gil-galad in the Siege of Barad-dûr at the end of the War of the Last Alliance.
History
According to Aragorn, it was originally written in an ancient tongue. It was Bilbo Baggins who later translated it into the Common Tongue, and taught it to Samwise Gamgee in his youth. It seems to be a long pome, telling the story of the War of the Last Alliance, at least to the point where Gil-galad aided in the overthrow of Sauron, and was himself slain.
Sam narrated the three introductory stanzas while approaching Weathertop. Aragorn and Frodo knew more of the text.[1]
Portrayal in Adaptations
1981: The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series):
- Sam sang the song during his trip to Rivendell.