Frodo to Gollum

[bnewman]

Critics seem to think that the climax of The Lord of the Rings is a bit... arbitrary.  Why does Gollum just happen to fall into the Crack of Doom with the Ring?  Also, why do we never see the Ring used as the Ring?  But, in fact, Frodo does use the Ring as the Ring, to dominate Gollum, and Gollum's fate is explicitly foreshadowed, with the Ring serving to make that foreshadowing causal.  In effect, the Ring destroys itself.

lyrics and music by Benjamin Newman

listen to this song

 

/ Am C G Am / - G Am - / F G C Am / G - E - /

 

I asked the Council why the Ring

Did not grant the power to me

To know and command the will and the hand

That bore the Nine and the Three.

 

/ " / " / " / G E Am - /

 

They said in answer, I must not try,

Lest I should myself be undone:

My will I must custom to dominate

If ever I'd master the One.

 

Then you came to me and you swore to serve —

And truly I needed your aid —

And you swore the only oath you could swear,

And so was your destiny made.

 

Did you think on how it might twist your words,

When first you swore by this thing?

Will you serve the Precious's Master

Or will you serve the Lord of the Ring?

 

Do not say again you shall have it back —

I tell you this cannot be so!

You swore to serve the Precious's Master,

And it mastered you long ago.

 

In the last need I should put it on,

And wearing it I would command,

And you would obey, even to your death,

If ever the Fire were at hand.

 

Those were the words that I spoke to you

When we stood at the Enemy's gate.

I spoke them in pity and warning then,

But now I will speak them in hate:

 

If ever again you lay hand on me,

Then into the Fire you shall fall!

And so, by this Ring, I command your doom,

And so — by this Ring? — save us all.