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Smith of Wootton Major, one of J.R.R. Tolkien's lesser-known works, is a strange and haunting novella about a man who journeys in Faery and seemingly suffers no ill effects just from being there (although he does get into trouble at points). Having journeyed in Faery myself — and not without serious consequences! — that story stands as an inspiration and aspiration. Tom Smith's original song suggested itself some time ago as a tune to fit this tale.

lyrics by Benjamin Newman

ttto: "I Want to Be Peter Lorre" by Tom Smith

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This song continues the theme of "Starlight Through Woven Branches" of finding Jewish associations in Tolkien. Gandalf / Mithrandir is a servant of the divine who for long ages wanders the world in a grey cloak, appearing seemingly at random to help people in need. When facing his enemies he summons divine fire against them. He heralds the coming of the true King. And his sometimes cantankerous demeanor hides an inner goodness. There's only one character in Jewish legend to match him with, and although both of them are worthy of many songs, there was only one possible tune for this one.

lyrics by Benjamin Newman

ttto: "Eliyahu Hanavi", trad. Hebrew

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A scion of a proud house, living in exile and disappointment, takes the advice of a friend and stirs up the courage to return. Of course in Thorin's case he is the rightful heir, the exile is on account of a dragon, the advice to return is good (does Gandalf give bad advice?), and the expedition is ultimately successful — but it still ends with his death.

lyrics by Benjamin Newman

ttto: "Preston Miller" by Dave Carter

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The key turning point that sets off most of the action of the Silmarillion is the terrible oath sworn by the Elf Fëanor and his sons to avenge Morgoth's theft of the Silmarils, magical gems containing some of the first light of creation.

This song has been updated to remove uses of the word "black" as a metonym for "evil".

lyrics and music by Benjamin Newman

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A setting of Tolkien's hymn, in the Elvish language Sindarin, to Elbereth (Varda), the Queen of the Valar (Powers) and Kindler of the Stars.

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This classic from The Muppet Movie always makes me think of the Elves sailing into the West, so I updated it a little.

lyrics adapted by Benjamin Newman

from "I'm Going to Go Back There Someday" by Paul Williams and Kenneth Ascher

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Did you fall asleep reading the Silmarillion? I'll sum it up for you — as an epic rap ballad!

lyrics by Benjamin Newman

after "It's All About the Benjamins" by Puff Daddy

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The song of a younger, spunkier Galadriel, setting out from the West to Middle Earth.

lyrics and music by Benjamin Newman

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lyrics by Benjamin Newman

ttto: "When I Go" by Dave Carter

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In J.R.R. Tolkien, Author of the Century, Tom Shippey highlights the opposition of stars, representing the eternal, and trees, representing the temporal, as a central theme of Elvish poetry. This resonates as well with the themes of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, when we live in booths thatched with branches or leaves through which we can see the stars.

lyrics and music by Benjamin Newman

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The epic backstory of the One Ring required an equally epic source tune.

lyrics by Benjamin Newman

ttto: "American Pie" by Don McLean

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Just as in the source song, the Queen of the Golden Wood "wish[es] the power to stop it all could rest within my hands", and yet, in the end, "I will diminish, and go into the West, and remain Galadriel".

lyrics by Benjamin Newman

ttto: "Lullaby for a Weary World" by TJ Burnside Clapp

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A riddle poem with multiple solutions.

by Benjamin Newman

Mr. Underhill (not his real name)

Is not who you've been told.

He isn't so naive, or tame,

As to play the pawn in your little game;

To mess with him you must be rather bold!

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lyrics by Benjamin Newman

ttto: "The Mountain" by Dave Carter

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A glimpse into the Mirror of Galadriel.

lyrics by Benjamin Newman

ttto: "Lies" by Stan Rogers

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lyrics by Benjamin Newman

ttto: "Builders' Song" by Gary Ehrlich

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What Galadriel might have said to Sam when she tested the hearts of the Fellowship.

lyrics and music by Benjamin Newman

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I've had a big crush on Galadriel ever since reading The Lord of the Rings as a child. In fact, I think I've written more songs for her than for any other individual character.

lyrics by Benjamin Newman

ttto: "Legolas" by Mary Crowell

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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

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In J.R.R. Tolkien, Author of the Century, Tom Shippey contrasts the glory-seeking courage of the Dwarves with Bilbo's quiet, unassuming courage, mostly demonstrated alone in dark places. I imagine Thorin speaking these words to Bilbo.

lyrics and music by Benjamin Newman

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