The Fall of Gil-galad: Difference between revisions

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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]]. [[Sam]] sings the first lines of it in the [[The Lord of the Rings]].  
{{disambig-more|The Fall|[[The Fall (disambiguation)]]}}
[[File:Jenny Dolfen - Gil-galad was an Elvenking.jpg|thumb|''Gil-galad was an Elvenking'' by [[Jenny Dolfen]]]]
'''The Fall of Gil-galad''' was a lay that told of the loss of [[Gil-galad|Ereinion Gil-galad]], the last Great Elf-king of Middle-earth, in the [[Siege of Barad-dûr]] at the end of the [[War of the Last Alliance]].  


Little is known of the lay itself. According to [[Aragorn]], it was originally written in 'an ancient tongue' (presumably [[Quenya]]), but [[Bilbo Baggins]] later translated it into the [[Common Tongue]], and taught it to [[Samwise Gamgee]] in his younger days. It seems to have told the story of the War of the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men|Last Alliance]], at least to the point where [[Gil-galad]] aided in the overthrow of [[Sauron]], and was himself slain. Its contents, though, are largely unknown to us: Sam confirms that it was a long poem, but apart from three introductory stanzas, the text of the lay is lost.  Aragorn does say that he knows more of the text, as does Frodo, but he refuses to share it at the time he discusses it with the hobbits.
==History==
According to [[Aragorn]], it was originally written in an ancient tongue. It seems to be a long poem, 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's verses of the song are given in Book 1, Chapter XI of The Lord of the Rings ([[A Knife in the Dark]]).
[[Bilbo Baggins]] later translated it into the [[Westron|Common Tongue]], and taught it to [[Samwise Gamgee]] in his youth, who mistakenly thought that Bilbo was the composer.  


A musical version of those three verses was recorded by the [[Tolkien Ensemble]] on their album A Night in Rivendell.
Sam narrated the three introductory stanzas while approaching [[Weathertop]], but he did not recall the following verses, which were "all about [[Mordor]]". Aragorn and Frodo knew more of the text.<ref name="FKnife">{{FR|Knife}}</ref>


[[category:Events]]
==Song==
<poem style="font-style:italic; margin-left:20px;">
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.
</poem>
 
==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''1981: [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1981 radio series)]]:'''
: Sam sang the song during his trip to Rivendell.
 
{{references}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fall of Gil-galad}}
[[Category:Poems in The Fellowship of the Ring]]
[[Category:Songs]]
 
[[de:Gil-galad#Sonstiges]]
[[fi:Gil-galadin tuho]]
[[fi:Gil-galadin tuho]]

Revision as of 02:47, 9 December 2021

The name The Fall refers to more than one character, item or concept. For a list of other meanings, see The Fall (disambiguation).
Gil-galad was an Elvenking by Jenny Dolfen

The Fall of Gil-galad was a lay that told of the loss of Ereinion Gil-galad, the last Great Elf-king of Middle-earth, 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 seems to be a long poem, 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.

Bilbo Baggins later translated it into the Common Tongue, and taught it to Samwise Gamgee in his youth, who mistakenly thought that Bilbo was the composer.

Sam narrated the three introductory stanzas while approaching Weathertop, but he did not recall the following verses, which were "all about Mordor". Aragorn and Frodo knew more of the text.[1]

Song

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.

Portrayal in adaptations

1981: The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series):

Sam sang the song during his trip to Rivendell.

References

  1. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "A Knife in the Dark"
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