Bilbo's Last Song

Bilbo's Farewell Song (English Bilbo 's Last Song, Bilbo's last song ) is a poem by JRR Tolkien. 1966 Tolkien gave his secretary Joy Hill this poem. After Tolkien's death in 1973, Hill showed the poem the composer Donald Swann, who liked so that he immediately transposed it in music and it einbaute in the second edition of The Road Goes Ever music cycle on 1979. The poem was by Pauline Baynes, Tolkien's favorite artist, illustrated and published in 1974 a color poster. In 1990, the poem was published eventually in the form of a book, again with images of Baynes. The song is sung by Bilbo Baggins at the Grey Havens, as he takes the path to the West. Chronologically, it can be stringed to the third and final part of the Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King.

Adaptations

Radio

The song is included in the radio adaptation of the Lord of the Rings (1981 ) BBC Radio 4, with music by Stephen Oliver. The first verse is in this case performed by John Le Mesurier, the second verse was cut out and the third is sung by a boy soprano in.

Film trilogy

In the Lord of the Rings film trilogy by Peter Jackson, the poem does not occur. It is replaced at the end of the song Into the West by Annie Lennox.

Content

In Bilbo's last song is about his departure from Middle-earth. The day (or his life ) ends soon, his eyes started to fade and a final journey is still before him now; the drive to the west. He wishes everyone good-bye, because the call of the sea, he can not resist. Far to the west of the West is a peaceful country, where the night is quiet and sleep recovery brings. Guided by a lonely star he will reach the blessed land beyond the farthest port. He is ready to sail to the West and to leave Middle-earth forever.

Maybe the song is a play on the English phrase "go West ," which is a euphemism for dying.