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{{disambig-more|The Road Goes Ever On|[[The Road Goes Ever On (disambiguation)]]}}{{book
{{disambig-more|The Road Goes Ever On|[[The Road Goes Ever On (disambiguation)]]}}{{book
| image=[[Image:The Road Goes Ever On (2002).gif|225px]]
| image=[[Image:The Road Goes Ever On (1968).jpg|275px]]
| title=The Road Goes Ever On (3rd edition)
| title=The Road Goes Ever On:<br><small>A Song Cycle</small>
| author=[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] and [[Donald Swann]]
| author=[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Donald Swann]]
| isbn=0007136552
| illustrator=J.R.R. Tolkien
| publisher=[[Houghton Mifflin]] (US)<br/>[[Allen and Unwin|George Allen and Unwin]] (UK)
| publisherUK=[[George Allen and Unwin]]
| date=[[31 October]] [[1967]] (US)<br/>[[1968]] (UK)
| publisherUS=[[Houghton Mifflin]]
| format=Hardcover
| date=[[31 October]] [[1967]] (US)<br>[[28 March]] [[1968]] (UK)
| pages= 84
| format=Hardcover; paperback
| pages=80
| isbn=0047840099
}}
}}


'''''The Road Goes Ever On''''' contains poems by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]], all appearing in his writings on [[Middle-earth]], set to music by [[Donald Swann]]. The book is divided in two major sections: (1) a collection of sheet music (2) the final chapter ''Notes and Translations'' written by Tolkien. The latter consists of scripts, translations and comments on the Elvish texts for "[[Namárië]]" and "[[A Elbereth Gilthoniel]]", and is an important document in being a "glossary of Elvish terms and lore that appears nowhere else"<ref>Quote from the cover of the 3rd edition of ''The Road Goes Ever On''.</ref>. For example, it contains one of the longest samples of the language [[Quenya]].
'''''The Road Goes Ever On: A Song Cycle''''' is a book of sheet music, the poems are by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]], the music by [[Donald Swann]].


The book was richly decorated by Tolkien.
The first edition was published in [[1967]], containing six poems from ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' and one from ''[[The Adventures of Tom Bombadil]]''. Within the book are included Tolkien's own notes and translations on two Elvish text: "[[Namárië]]" and "[[A Elbereth Gilthoniel]]", thus it is also an important document of the glossary and lore of [[Elvish]].
 
The second edition was released in [[1978]], adding the "[[Bilbo's Last Song]]", in the foreword Swann recounts his collaborations with J.R.R. Tolkien; and the third edition in [[2002]], adding the poem "[[Song of Parting|Lúthien Tinúviel]]" from ''[[The Silmarillion]]''.
 
The book is reprinted, along with the CD, in September 2023.
 
==Overview==
[[File:The Road Goes Ever On tailpiece.jpg|thumb|center|400px|A decorative tailpiece in the book]]
This book has been valued even by those uninterested in music, since it helps Tolkien's readers to better understand the cultures of the various mythological beings presented in [[Middle-earth]], and helps linguists analyse Tolkien's poetry. As well as the poems, notes, and translations, Tolkien contributed decorations in the form of [[Elvish]] script for the top and bottom of every page of sheet music, and tailpieces for the spaces at the ends of the poems.
 
The book contains one of the longest samples of the language [[Quenya]], in the shape of the song "''[[Namárië]]''" (which appears on the cover in [[Tengwar]]), as well as the Sindarin prayer "''[[A Elbereth Gilthoniel]]''" with grammatical explanations. Tolkien's notes in the book provide information about the [[First Age]] of Middle-earth that was not otherwise publicly available until the publication of ''[[The Silmarillion]]''.<ref>{{HM|A}}Robert Foster, ''[[A Guide to Middle-earth]]''</ref>


==Contents==
==Contents==
* Introduction
* Foreword by Donald Swann
* Foreword to the Third edition


Contents from the third edition.
* 1. [[The Road Goes Ever On (song)|The Road Goes Ever On]]
* 2. [[Upon the Hearth the Fire is Red]]
* 3. [[In the Willow-meads of Tasarinan]]
* 4. [[In Western Lands beneath the Sun|In Western Lands]]
* 5. [[Namárië|Namárië (Farewell)]]
* 6. [[I Sit beside the Fire and Think|I Sit beside the Fire]]
* 7. [[Errantry]]
* 8. [[Bilbo's Last Song]]


*''Introduction'' (by Leon Berger, executor of Donald Swann's estate)
* Notes and Translations
*''Foreword to the Second Edition'' (by Donald Swann)
*''Foreword to the Third Edition'' (by Donald Swann)
*[Songs: sheet music and poems]
** [[The Road Goes Ever On (song)|The Road Goes Ever On]]
** [[Upon The Hearth The Fire Is Red|Upon the hearth the fire is red]]
** [[In The Willow-meads Of Tasarinan]]
** [[In western lands beneath the Sun|In western lands]]
** [[Namárië]]
** [[I sit beside the fire and think|I sit beside the fire]] (including [[A Elbereth Gilthoniel]])
** [[Errantry]]
** [[Bilbo's Last Song]]
*''Notes and Translations'' (by J.R.R. Tolkien)
*''Appendix''
** [[Lúthien Tinúviel (song)|Lúthien Tinúviel]] [sheet music and poem]


==Editions==
* Appendix
===1st===
** 9. [[Song of Parting|Lúthien Tinúviel]]
[[Image:The Road Goes Ever On (1968).gif|right|150px]]
''The Road Goes Ever On'' was first published on [[31 October|October 31]], [[1967]] by [[Houghton Mifflin]] in the United States.
* ISBN 0047840099 (from the 3rd impression)
* Hardback with dustwrapper
* Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien and [[Samuel Hanks Bryant]].
* Includes a Foreword by Donald Swann.
* Includes music for seven poems: The Road Goes Ever On, Upon the Hearth the Fire is Red, In the Willow-meads of Tasarinan, In Western Lands, Namárië, I Sit Beside the Fire and Errantry.
* Includes translations of Namárië and A Elbereth Gilthoniel with commentary.
* British impressions ([[Allen and Unwin|George Allen & Unwin]]):
** 1st - 1968
** 2nd - 1969
** 3rd - 1972
** 4th - 1974


===2nd===
A CD is issued with the third edition, containing the song cycle performed by Donald Swann, William Elvin, and Clive McCrombie.
[[Image:The Road Goes Ever On (1978).gif|right|150px]]
The 2nd edition was published in 1978 by George Allen and Unwin.
* ISBN 0047840110
* Includes an updated Foreword by Donald Swann.
* Includes all the poems from the first edition, as well as [[Bilbo's Last Song]].
{{clear}}


===3rd===
==Publication history and gallery==
[[Image:The Road Goes Ever On (2002).gif|right|150px]]
;UK editions
The 3rd edition was published in 1993 by HarperCollins.
{{Gallery
* ISBN 0007136552
|width=128
* Hardback in dustwrapper.
|height=125
* Includes an Introduction by Leon Berger, as well as Forewords to the Second and Third editions, by Donald Swann.
|lines=2
* Includes all the poems from the first and second editions, as well as Lúthien Tinúviel (first published in The Songs of [[Donald Swann]]: Volume I)
|File:The Road Goes Ever On (1968).jpg|1968 first edition
* Includes a CD with The Road Goes Ever On song cycle performed by Donald Swann, [[William Elvin]] and Clive McCrombie.
|File:The Road Goes Ever On (1978).gif|1978 second edition
* Reprinted in 2002 as a hardcover by [[HarperCollins]]
|File:The Road Goes Ever On (2002).gif‎|2002 third edition
* Canadian version issued with titling and style similar to the 1st and 2nd editions.
}}
* [[George Allen and Unwin]], hardcover ([[1968]]), pp. 80. ISBN 0047840099
* [[George Allen and Unwin]], hardcover ([[1978]]), ISBN 0047840110
* [[HarperCollins]], hardcover ([[2002]]), pp. 96. ISBN 0007136552
 
;US editions
{{Gallery
|width=128
|height=125
|lines=2
|File:Goes Ever On Ballantines Hardcover.jpeg|1968 hardcover
|File:Goes Ever On Ballantines Paperback.jpeg|1975 paperback
}}
* [[Ballantine Books]], jacketless hardcover ([[1968]]), pp. 80. PBN 74550
* [[Ballantine Books]], paperback ([[1975]]), ISBN 0345247337
 
==External links==
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvFWMHuDg_Q A lecture recital of the song cycle] on YouTube


{{references}}
{{references}}
 
{{Publishedmajorbooks}}
{{title|italics}}
{{title|italics}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Road Goes Ever On}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Road Goes Ever On}}

Latest revision as of 14:17, 23 December 2023

The name The Road Goes Ever On refers to more than one character, item or concept. For a list of other meanings, see The Road Goes Ever On (disambiguation).
The Road Goes Ever On:
A Song Cycle
The Road Goes Ever On (1968).jpg
AuthorJ.R.R. Tolkien, Donald Swann
IllustratorJ.R.R. Tolkien
PublisherGeorge Allen and Unwin (UK)
Houghton Mifflin (US)
Released31 October 1967 (US)
28 March 1968 (UK)
FormatHardcover; paperback
Pages80
ISBN0047840099

The Road Goes Ever On: A Song Cycle is a book of sheet music, the poems are by J.R.R. Tolkien, the music by Donald Swann.

The first edition was published in 1967, containing six poems from The Lord of the Rings and one from The Adventures of Tom Bombadil. Within the book are included Tolkien's own notes and translations on two Elvish text: "Namárië" and "A Elbereth Gilthoniel", thus it is also an important document of the glossary and lore of Elvish.

The second edition was released in 1978, adding the "Bilbo's Last Song", in the foreword Swann recounts his collaborations with J.R.R. Tolkien; and the third edition in 2002, adding the poem "Lúthien Tinúviel" from The Silmarillion.

The book is reprinted, along with the CD, in September 2023.

Overview[edit | edit source]

A decorative tailpiece in the book

This book has been valued even by those uninterested in music, since it helps Tolkien's readers to better understand the cultures of the various mythological beings presented in Middle-earth, and helps linguists analyse Tolkien's poetry. As well as the poems, notes, and translations, Tolkien contributed decorations in the form of Elvish script for the top and bottom of every page of sheet music, and tailpieces for the spaces at the ends of the poems.

The book contains one of the longest samples of the language Quenya, in the shape of the song "Namárië" (which appears on the cover in Tengwar), as well as the Sindarin prayer "A Elbereth Gilthoniel" with grammatical explanations. Tolkien's notes in the book provide information about the First Age of Middle-earth that was not otherwise publicly available until the publication of The Silmarillion.[1]

Contents[edit | edit source]

  • Introduction
  • Foreword by Donald Swann
  • Foreword to the Third edition
  • Notes and Translations

A CD is issued with the third edition, containing the song cycle performed by Donald Swann, William Elvin, and Clive McCrombie.

Publication history and gallery[edit | edit source]

UK editions
1968 first edition  
1978 second edition  
2002 third edition  
US editions
1968 hardcover  
1975 paperback  

External links[edit | edit source]

References

  1. ↑ Robert Foster, A Guide to Middle-earth
A J.R.R. Tolkien book guide
Books by or mainly by Tolkien
On Arda Authored by
J.R.R. Tolkien 		The Hobbit · The Lord of the Rings
(i.The Fellowship of the Ring · ii.The Two Towers · iii.The Return of the King) ·
The Adventures of Tom Bombadil · The Road Goes Ever On · Bilbo's Last Song
Edited by Christopher Tolkien The Silmarillion · Unfinished Tales · The History of Middle-earth series
(i.The Book of Lost Tales: Part One · ii.The Book of Lost Tales: Part Two · iii.The Lays of Beleriand · iv.The Shaping of Middle-earth · v.The Lost Road and Other Writings · vi.The Return of the Shadow · vii.The Treason of Isengard · viii.The War of the Ring · ix.Sauron Defeated · x.Morgoth's Ring · xi.The War of the Jewels · xii.The Peoples of Middle-earth · Index) ·
The Children of Húrin · Beren and Lúthien · The Fall of Gondolin
Edited by others The Annotated Hobbit · The History of The Hobbit · The Nature of Middle-earth ·
The Fall of Númenor · The Maps of Middle-earth
Not on Arda Short stories
and poems 		Leaf by Niggle · Farmer Giles of Ham · Smith of Wootton Major · Letters from Father Christmas ·
Mr. Bliss · Roverandom · Tree and Leaf (compilation) · Tales from the Perilous Realm (compilation)
Fictional works The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún · The Fall of Arthur · The Story of Kullervo · The Lay of Aotrou and Itroun
Translations and academic works Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Pearl, and Sir Orfeo · Finn and Hengest ·
The Monsters and the Critics, and Other Essays · Beowulf and the Critics · Tolkien On Fairy-stories ·
Beowulf: A Translation and Commentary · A Secret Vice · The Battle of Maldon
Collected letters and poems The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien · The Collected Poems of J.R.R. Tolkien
Edited old texts A Middle English Vocabulary · Sir Gawain and the Green Knight · Ancrene Wisse · The Old English Exodus
Books by other authors
Biographies J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography · The Inklings · Tolkien and the Great War
Reference works The Complete Guide to Middle-earth · The J.R.R. Tolkien Companion and Guide
Scholarly studies The Road to Middle-earth · The Keys of Middle-earth · The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion ·
The Ring of Words · A Companion to J.R.R. Tolkien · Tolkien's Lost Chaucer ·
Tolkien's Library · Tolkien on Chaucer, 1913-1959
Scholarly journals Tolkien Studies · (The Chronology)
Other works by Tolkien
Linguistic journals Vinyar Tengwar various issues · Parma Eldalamberon issue 11-22
Collections of artwork
and manuscripts 		Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien · J.R.R. Tolkien: Life and Legend · J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator ·
The Art of The Hobbit · The Art of The Lord of the Rings · Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth ·
Tolkien: Treasures · J.R.R. Tolkien: The Art of the Manuscript
This list is only a selection of works, for a fuller bibliography of Tolkien see here or here. See also a timeline and an index.
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