Lyrics for the LOTR Soundtracks

The Fellowship of the Ring:The ProphecyThe Hobbit Drinking SongO Queen Beyond the Western Seas   The Black RiderLay of LuthienAnironThe Bridge of Khazad-Dum   ,with commentaryLament for GandalfA Elbereth GilthonielMay it BeIn Dreams

The Two Towers:Foundations of StoneThe FallenEowyn's LamentEvenstar / The MissingBreath of LifeHaldir's LamentEntmootIsengard UnleashedGollum's Song

The Return of the King:Hobbit Drinking Song: Edoras Table versionRetreat from OsgiliathThe Last SonAndúrilThe Dimholt RoadThe Way is ShutThe Steward of GondorThe Argument   Not Once, Not EverDon't Let GoThe Mountain of FireThe Destruction of the RingThe EaglesAragorn's CoronationInto the WestUse Well the DaysThe Houses of Healing

Thanks especially to:The Elvish Linguistic FellowshipTolkien's Languages in the LOTR SoundtrackSoundtracks Lyrics Sourceand Danijel Legin, for permission to use the Khazad-Dum lyrics reconstruction.

Excerpt from David Salo regarding the Khazad-Dum lyrics is from  this   Q&A session with Unofficial Muse - many thanks!

The Fellowship of the Ring 

The Prophecy

The Seer Speaks...

Yénillor mornetulinte I quettartercáno nuruva

Hlasta! QyetesHfirimain:

The Ringspell...

(English translation)

The Seer Speaks...

Out of the Black Yearscome the wordsthe Hearld of Death

Listen --- it speaks tothose who were not born to die

The Ringspell...

Music by Howard Shore, lyrics by Phillipa BoyensTranslation by David Salo

The Hobbit Drinking Song

Hey, ho, to the bottle I go,To heal my heart and drown my woe!Rain may fall and wind may blow,But there still be many miles to go!

Sweet is the sound of the pouring rain,And stream that falls from hill to plain!Better than rain or rippling brook,Is a mug of beer inside this Took!

Tolkien's text that it was based off of:

Ho! Ho! Ho! To the bottle I goTo heal my heart and drown my woe,Rain may fall and wind may blow,And many miles be still to go,But under a tall tree I will lie,And let the clouds go sailing by.

O Queen Beyond the Western Seas

Sindarin:

A Bereth thar Ennui Aeair!A Galad ven i reniarhí 'aladhremmin ennorath.A Elbereth Gilthonieli chin a thûl lîn i gelair... Translation:'O Queen beyond the Western Seas!O light to us that wander here amid the world of woven-trees.O Gilthoniel! O Elbereth!the eyes and breath your which are brilliant...'

Taken from the poem "Snow-white, snow-white..." in the 3rd chapter of FOTR.Sung by the departing Elves seen by Frodo and Sam in the Shire.

The Black Rider

Chorus in Adûnaic: Nêbâbîtham Magânanê Nêtabdam dâurad Nêpâm nêd abârat-aglar îdô Nidir nênâkham Bârî 'n Katharâd English translation:

'We deny our maker. We cling to the darkness. We grasp for ourselves power and glory. Now we come, the Nine,

Lords of Eternal Life.'

Featured in The Black Rider, At the Sign of the Prancing Pony, A Knife in the Dark.Lyrics by Philippa Boyens, translated into Adûnaic by David Salo. 

Lay of Luthien (Song to Tinuviel)

Sindarin:

Tinúviel elvanui Elleth alfirin edhelhael O hon ring finnil fuinui A renc gelebrin thiliol... Translation: 'Tinúviel the elven-fair,Immortal maiden elven-wise, About him cast her night-dark hair,And arms like silver glimmering...' Lyrics by J.R.R. Tolkien, performed by Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn), translated into Sindarin by David Salo

Aníron

O môr henion i dhû:Ely siriar, êl sílaAi! Aníron Undómiel

Tiro! Êl eria e môr.I 'lîr en êl luitha 'urenAi! Aníron...

From darkness I understand the night:dreams flow, a star shinesAh! I desire Evenstar

Look! A star rises out of the darknessThe song of the star enchants my heartAh! I desire...

Composed and performed by Enya Lyrics by Roma Ryan

The Bridge of Khazad-Dum

1:06 – 1:25URKHAS TANAKHI! LU! LU!TANI TARAHI LU! LU! (sounds like TANI TARAHI, but there is no such text in the published poem) UGRÛD TASHNIKI KURDUMÂ LU! LU! 1:30 – 1:39URUS NI URUS NIURUS NI BUZRALU!_______ 1:46 – 1:56Ah_______URUS URUS NIURUS BUZRALU! LU! LU! LU!URKHAS URUS NI BUZRA 1:56 – 2:07LU! LU! LU! LU!URKHAS TALBABITALBABI URKHASURUS NI BUZRAURKHAS TALBABILU! LU! LU! LU!URUS NI URUS NIURUS NI BUZRA 2:07 - 2:37(very unclear, working on that part momentarily) 2:37 – 2:51URUS URUS NI, ASKAKARE BUZRA (This is one of very problematic places because it sounds like ASKAKARE, and also, in the movie, in this scene music is very loud, especially men's choir, so you can hear lyrics better, and there is very clear

that they pronounce ASKAKARE. On the soundtrack it could also be URKHAS ARRÂS because it is very unclear, but I don't think thats what they are singing.) URUS URUS NI, ASKAKARE BUZRAURUS URUS NI, TANI TARAHITANI TARAHI, ASKAKARE BUZRAURUS BUZRA, URUS BUZRA 2:55 – 3:36URKHAS TANAKHI, URUS NI BUZRAARRÂS TALBABI FILLUMÂ, FILLUMÂUGRÛD TASHNIKI, KURDUMÂ, KURDUMÂURUS URKHASURKHAS TANAKHI, URKHAS TANAKHIARRÂS TALBABI ~ÂS TANAKHI (not quite sure about this)URUS URKHAS TANAKHIURKHAS TANAKHI, URKHAS TANAKHIURUS NI BUZRAURKHAS LU! 3:54 – 4:03URUS NI BUZRA, URKHAS TALBABIGURD! GURD! GURD! GURD! (I'm little puzzled about this, because GURD! [Have fear!] is part of The Abyss poem, but it is possible that The Abyss was written earlier, before Howard was composing for Two Towers,or it could be part of the second poem in Khuzdul used in A Journey in the Dark.) ASKAKARE URKHAS TALBABIASKAKARE URKHAS, ASKAKARE URKHAS Many thanks to Danijel Legin, who put together this hypothetical reconstruction.

We can't know are the words correct. Translation is, of course, unknown because this is neo-Khuzdul( David Salo's reconstruction of Khuzdul language)and until exact lyrics are published translation will remain unknown.

Update 12/03 Additional commentary by David Salo:The language you heard is what I sometimes call "Neo-Khuzdul" or New Dwarvish. It's based on or inspired by the few Dwarvish words and names which Tolkien created and which have been published; but since Tolkien did not provide us anything regarding the grammar of Dwarvish (except a vague hint that it might be like Hebrew), and only gave us a very small vocabulary, something like 90% of this language is a new invention--by me. It sounds like Khuzdul, but I am sure that in structure and vocabulary it is much more different from what Tolkien would have created than any of the Elvish.

Part of what you hear goes like this:

Fire in the deep!         Urus ni buzra!Flames lick our skin!  Arrâs talbabi fillumâ!Fear rips our heart!    Ugrûd tashniki kurdumâ!No! No! No!             Lu! Lu! Lu!The demon comes!    Urkhas tanakhi!

Some of the things you can see here are the construction of verbs with the prefix ta- (for third person): talbabi "lick", tashniki "rips", tanakhi "comes"; the suffix -mâ for "our": fillumâ "our skin", kurdumâ "our heart". We have some related words, like urus "fire", arrâs "flame"; and some words that should look familiar, e.g. buzra "deep" (cf. bizar "valley, deep place" in Azanul-bizar), and urkhas "demon, balrog", related to rukhs "orc" much as Quenya rauco "demon" is related to urco "orc". So there is real linguistic structure there, and an homage to Tolkien's languages; but very little of it is genuine Tolkien.  - David Salo

Lament for Gandalf

(Verse 1: Quenya)

A Olórin i yáresseMentaner i NúmeheruiTírien i RómenóriMaiaron i OiosailaManan elye etevanneNórie i melanelye?

(Verses 2 & 3: Sindarin)

Mithrandir, Mithrandir, A Randir Vithrenú-reniathach i amar galenI reniad lín ne mór, nuithannenIn gwidh ristennin, i fae narchannenI lach Anor ed ardhon gwannenCaled veleg, ethuiannen.

(English translation)

Olorin, who once was...Sent by the Lords of the WestTo guard the lands of the EastWisest of all MaiarWhat drove you to leaveThat which you loved?

Mithrandir, Mithrandir O Pilgrim GreyNo more will you wander the green fields of this earth

Your journey has ended in darkness.The bonds are cut, the spirit brokenThe Flame of Anor has left this WorldA great light, has gone out.

Words and music by Philippa Boyens and Howard Shore Performed by Elizabeth Fraser

A Elbereth Gilthoniel (featured in Lothlórien.) 

Chorus in Sindarin A Elbereth Gilthoniel,silivren penna mirielo menel aglar elenath,na-chaered palan dirielo galadhremmin ennorathnef aear, sí aearon,Fanluilos, le linnathonNef aear, sí aearon! Translation of the Sindarin text: 'O Elbereth Star-kindler,(white) glittering slants-down sparkling-like-jewelsfrom firmament glory [of] the star-host,to-remote-distance after-having-gazedfrom tree-tangled middle-lands,on-this-side [of] ocean, here [on this side of] the Great Ocean,Fanuilos, to thee I will chanton-this-side [of] ocean, here [on this side of] the Great Ocean!' Lyrics by J.R.R. Tolkien, music by Howard Shore, performed by Elizabeth Fraser.

Namárie   (featured in The Great River) Chorus in Quenya1. Ai! laurie lantar lassi súrinen,yéni únotime ve ramar aldaron!yéni ve linte... Translation:Alas! golden leaves fall in the wind,

long years numberless as [the] wings of trees!Long years like swift... 2.

Et Eärello Endorenna utúlien. Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn' Ambar-metta! Translation:Out of the Great Sea to Middle-earth I am come. In this place I will abide, and my heirs, unto the ending of the world

Verse 1 is a fragment of the Galadriel's Lament (FOTR text), verse 2 are Elendil's words when he came to Middle-earth after the Downfall of Númenor, repeated by Aragorn at his coronation (ROTK text).  Verse 1 is sung during the Fellowship's departure from Lórien, verse 2 during the passing of Argonath.

May It Be

May it be an evening starShines down upon youMay it be when darkness fallsYour heart will be trueYou walk a lonely roadOh! How far you are from home

Mornie utúlië (darkness has come)Believe and you will find your wayMornie alantië (darkness has fallen)A promise lives within you now

May it be shadows callWill fly awayMay it be your journey onTo light the dayWhen the night is overcomeYou may rise to find the sun

Mornie utúlië (darkness has come)Believe and you will find your wayMornie alantië (darkness has fallen)A promise lives within you now

A promise lives within you now

Composed and performed by EnyaLyrics by Roma Ryan

In Dreams

When the cold of Winter comesStarless night will cover dayIn the veiling of the sunWe will walk in bitter rain

But in dreamsI still hear your nameAnd in dreamsWe will meet again

When the seas and mountains fallAnd we come, to end of daysIn the dark I hear a callCalling me thereI will go thereAnd back again

Words and music by Fran Walsh and Howard Shore,Based on the song for the Entwives by Tolkien.Performed by Edward Ross

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The Two Towers

Foundations Of Stone (Quenya and Dwarvish)

(Quenya)

Mettanna Irkat-lukhud makatabrikihuUlfat-atam matanakhi uduhubin-nât aznân tarsisi

(Dwarvish)

Bazar udu agânî-furkhînGurd!

Ma nîd sakhu!Ma satf unkhai!Atkât zatagrafizuZatablugi sulluzu 

(Quenya)

MettannaNárendur!An mauya mahtie.Mettanna! 

(English translation thanks to Lady Wildcat):

No shaft of lightCan breach itNo breath of airComes from itOnly an endless dark rises

Deep from the beginningsOf the world.Have fear.Do not look downNor step too closeThe silence will take you.It will swallow you whole.

The Fallen (Theoden Grieves for his Son)

Old English (Rohirric)

Hé laered hine rídanAnd wealdan méceAnd standan fæstAnd féond ne forhtian.Nú hé sceal leornianÐæt hearde sóð:Hé raerede his cnapaOf cilde tó mennÐæt hé his déað geséo.

Sé féond wæs simble mid heom.Sé féond ne reccede ege.

English

He taught him to ride,To wield a sword.To stand strong And show his enemy no fear.Now he must learnThe hard truth:That he had brought his boyFrom childhood.So that he might face his deathLike a man.

The enemy was always with them.The enemy did not care about fear.

Words by Philipa Boyens,translated into Old English (Rohirric) by David Salo,music by Howard Shore

Eowyn's Lament

Bealocwealm hafað fréone frecan forth onsended (An evil death has set forth the noble warrior) giedd sculon singan gléomenn sorgiende on Meduselde (A song shall sing the sorrowing minstrels in Meduseld) þat heo mano arer his þruc ne deores (That noble cousin who always held me dear) on meagorinc deorcas, belu (now is held in darkness, enclosed) 

Translation into Rohirric by David Salo, Performed by Miranda Otto

Evenstar / The Missing

Heo naefre wacode daegredTo bisig daegeweorcumAc oft heo wacode sunnanwanungThonne nihtciele creap geond moras

And on thaere hwile

Heo dreag tha losingaEalra thinga the heo fortas.

Heo swa oft dreag hire sawle sicendeHeo ne cuthre hire hertan lust

English

She never watchedthe morning rising,Too busy with thedays first choresBut oft she would watch the sun's fadingAs the cold of night swept across the moorsAnd in that momentShe felt the lossOf everything that Had been missedSo used to feelingthe spirit sinkShe had not felther own heart's wish

Performed by Isabel Bayrakdarian

Breath of Life

Uich gwennen na 'wanath ah na dhín. An uich gwennen na ringyrn ambar hen. Boe naid bain gwannathar,Boe cuil ban firitha.Boe naer gwannathach, [...]

English

You are not bound to loss and silence.For you are not bound to the circles of this world.All things must pass away,All life is doomed to fade…Sorrowing you must go, [and yet you are not without hope].

Sindarin text by Fran Walsh. Performed by Sheila Chandra.

Haldir's Lament

Solo [by Elisabeth Fraser] in Quenya

Ar sindarnoriello caita mornie,Ar ilye tier undulave lumbule...

And grey-country-from lies darkness,And all roads down-licked [the] clouds...

This verse is a fragment of the Galadriel's Lament (FOTR text). Quenya text by J.R.R. Tolkien. Performed by Elizabeth Fraser.

Entmoot

Sindarin

Naur vi eryn,lanc i dalaf.Mathach vi geven?Nostach vi 'wilith?Mâb le i nagor,Bâd gurth vi ngalad firiel.Dorthach vi mar han?Dagrathach go hain?

English

'The woods are burning,the ground lies bare.Do you feel it in the earth?Can you smell it in the air?The war is upon you,Death moves in the fading light.Are you part of this world?Will you join their fight?'

Words by Philippa Boyens, translated into Sindarin by David Salo,Music by Howard Shore.

Isengard Unleashed / The Ents

Sindarian

rithannen i geventhangen i harnna fennas i daurol dûr ristannenEryn echuianneni ngelaidh dagrarristar thyn, cúa tawarDambedir enyd i ganedSi linna i waew trin ylfIsto i dur i chuiyli ngelaidh dagrar

English

Earth shakes,Stone breaksThe forest is at your doorThe dark sleep is brokenThe woods have awokenThe trees have gone to warRoots rend, wood bendsThe Ents have answered the callThrough branches now the wind singsFeel the power of living thingsThe trees have gone to war

Music by Howard Shore, lyrics by Phillipa Boyens based on Tolkien's text.Translation by David SaloVocals feature Elizabeth Fraser & Ben Del Maestro

Gollum's Song  

Where once was lightNow darkness fallsWhere once was loveLove is no moreDon't say goodbyeDon't say I didn't try

These tears we cryAre falling rainFor all the lies you told us

The hurt, the blame!And we will weep to be so aloneWe are lostWe can never go home

So in the endI'll be what I will beNo loyal friendWas ever there for me

Now we say goodbyeWe say you didn't try

These tears you cryHave come too lateTake back the liesThe hurt, the blame!

And you will weepWhen you face the end aloneYou are lostYou can never go homeYou are lost You can never go home

Music by Howard ShoreWords by Fran Walsh, Janet Roddick, David Donaldson, Steve Roche, David LongPerformed by Emiliana Torrini

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The Return of the King

Hobbit Drinking Song: the "Edoras Table version"

Oh you can search far and wideYou can drink the whole town dry,But you'll never find a beer so brown,As the one we drink in our home town...You can keep your fancy ales,You can drink them by the flagon,But the only brew for the brave and trueComes from the Green Dragon!

performed by Billy Boyd and Dominic Monaghan.(lyrics only from memories of movie-goers - may or may not be accurate at this time.)

The Retreat from Osgiliath (featured in Minas Tirith)

Sindarin

Revaíl vyrn dan mínuíalú galad, ú vín anor henCano an dregad ú natha oredGwanwen ost in giliath Dannen Osgiliath 

English

Black wings against a pale morningThere is no more light, not in this sunCall the retreatThere will be no warningThe citadel of the stars is goneOsgiliath is fallen

Words by Philippa Boyens, translated into Sindarin by David Salo, music by Howard Shore.

The Last Son featured in The Steward of Gondor

Sindarin

Boe le henio E sí car athad ynAne ah a phenI ú athelítha. English 

You must understand.He does the duty of two sons now.For himself; and for the onewho will not return.

Words by J.R.R. Tolkien.Adapted by Philippa Boyens, translated into Sindarin by David Salo, music by Howard

Shore. 

Andúril

Sindarin

Elo! Andúril;Lach en AnnûnI chathol asgannenAd echannen

English

Behold! Andúril;Flame of the West.The blade that was broken,Has been remade!

Music by Howard Shore,  text by J.R.R. Tolkien.Adapted by Phillipa Boyens, translated by David Salo.

The Dimholt Road (?)

Sindarin

Go vegil tolo hi Egor íriel firi 'Ni men hen ú veth 'war. 

English

Come armed,or prepared to die.There is no other end to this road.

Words by Philippa Boyens, translated into Sindarin by David Salo, music by Howard Shore. 

The Way is Shut

Sindarin

Hollen i ven

In gyrth han agorera han beriar in gyrthHollen i ven.

English

The way is shut.It was made by those who are deadand the Dead keep it.The way is shut.

Words by J.R.R. Tolkien, adapted by Philippa Boyens, translated into Sindarin by David Salo, music by Howard Shore.

The Steward of Gondor

Home is behind The world is ahead. And there are many paths to tread Thru shadow to the edge of night Until the stars are all alight Mist and shadows, cloud and shade. All shall fade. All shall fade. 

Based on text by J.R.R. Tolkien.  Composed and performed by Billy Boyd.

The Argument featured in The Black Gate  [?]

Sindarin

Caedo, losto. Ú-erin davo.Amman harthach? Anim únad.Le tûg nach. O hon ú-wannathon.Ú-moe le anno nad. Ónen a hon beth nín.Gurth han ristatha. Ta han narcho Gurth.Gar vethed e-chúnen, go hon bedithon na meth.

English

Lie down, sleep. / I cannot yield.Why do you still hope? / I have nothing else.You are a fool. / I will not leave him.

You owe him nothing / I gave him my word.Death will break it. / Then let death break it.He has the last of my heart. / I will go with him to the end.

Words by Philippa Boyens, translated into Sindarin by David Salo.Music by Howard Shore. 

Not Once, Not Ever  featured in The End of All Things  [?]

Sindarin

Dannen leA ú-erin le regiRang ail le iestannenLû ail le tegin na hen.Gwannach o innen uluiÚ lû erui, ului.

English

You have fallen.And I cannot reach you.Ever step I willed you on,Every moment I lead you to this.You never left my mind,Not once, not ever.

Words by Philippa Boyens, translated into Sindarin by David Salo.Music by Howard Shore. 

Don't Let Go  featured in The End of All Things  [?]

Sindarin

Anírach únadEgor gurth henHan cenin vi chen línEgor ú-erin le deviTellin men achaeBrennin men anannRago! Ú-erich leithio,Ú-erich o nin gwanno.

English

You want nothing moreThan this death.I see it in your eye.But I cannot let youWe have come too farWe have held on too long.Reach! You cannot let go,You cannot leave me.

Words by Philippa Boyens, translated into Sindarin by David Salo, music by Howard Shore. 

The Mountain of Fire  featured in The End of All Things

Sindarin

Nu dalavÚrui tuiannen na ruithLeithia Orodruin oe in phan.Ristannen i geven,Danna eliad morn.Si, na vethed [choir: 2.17-2.32]Meth i naid bainI wilith úriaI ardhon ban lacha!

English

Beneath the groundSwollen hot with angerOrodruin releases all its ruin.Earth rips asunderBlack rain falls.Here at the end;The end of all things.The air is aflame,All the world is on fire!

Words by Philippa Boyens, translated into Sindarin by David Salo, music by Howard Shore. 

The Destruction of the Ring

Sindarin

Mi naurath OrodruinBoe hedi i VinHan i vangad i moe ben bangoSin eriol natha túr in úgarnenSin eriol ûm beleg úgannen

U cilith 'warU men 'war.Boe min mebi,Boe min bango.

English

Into the fires of OrodruinThe One must be cast;This the price, that must be paid,Only thus its power will be undone,Only thus, a great evil, unmade.

There is no other choice.There is no other way.One of you must take it,One of you must pay.

Music by Howard Shore, words by Phillipa BoyensTranslation by David Salo

The Eagles  featured in The End of All Things

Sindarin

Orthannen im vi ól  Coll e dû  Or hiriath naur Na rovail mae sui 'waew Man prestant i ardhon?  Cerithar aen illiad dim úthenin?  

English

In a dream I was lifted up.Borne from the darknessAbove the rivers of fire.On wings soft as the wind.What's happened to the world?Is everything sad going to come untrue?

Words by Philippa Boyens, translated into Sindarin by David Salo, music by Howard Shore. 

Aragorn's Coronation

Et Eärello Endorenna utúlien.Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn'Ambar-metta!

English 

Out of the Great Sea to Middle-earth I am come.In this place will I abide, and my heirs,Unto the ending of the world.

Melody by Viggo Mortensen, words by J.R.R.Tolkien.

Into the West

Lay down your sweet and weary head Night is falling, you have come to journey's end.Sleep now, and dream of the ones who came before.They are calling from across the distant shore.

Why do you weep? What are these tears upon your face?Soon you will see all of your fears will pass away,safe in my arms you're only sleeping.

What can you see on the horizon? Why do the white gulls call?Across the sea a pale moon rises --The ships have come to carry you home.

Dawn will turn to silver glass A light on the waterAll souls pass. 

Hope fades into the world of nightthrough shadows falling out of memory and time. Don't say, "We have come now to the end."White shores are calling you and I will meet again. 

And you'll be here in my arms Just sleeping. 

What can can you seeon the horizon? Why do the white gulls call?Across the sea a pale moon rises --The ships have come to carry you home.

And all will turn to silver glass A light on the waterGrey ships pass Into the west.

Words and music by Fran Walsh, Howard Shore and Annie Lennox.Performed by Annie Lennox.

Use Well the Days

Around the corner there may waitA new road or a secret gate,

And though I have passed them by,A day will come...I will take the hidden paths that runWest of the moon, and East of the sun.I'm glad that you are here with me,Here at the end of all things.

Night, too, shall be beautiful,And blessed, and its fear will pass.I must leave, must cross this sea;The love you gave is all I take with me.

Use well the days,Use well the days...Turn your face to the green world,Use well the days.

Seven stars and seven stonesAnd one White Tree,From all the sundered seas...

Use well the days,Use well the days...Turn your face to the green world.Use well the days.

Composed by Howard Shore, performed by Annie Lennox.mp3 file of this song.

The Houses of Healing 

With a sigh, you turn awayWith a deepening heart, no more words to sayYou will find that the world has changed forever 

The trees are now turning from green to goldAnd the sun is now fadingI wish I could hold you closer 

Lyrics by Fran Walsh, performed by Liv Tyler.