A Elbereth Gilthoniel

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A Elbereth Gilthoniel is an Elvish hymn to Varda in J.R.R Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. There are three versions of this song, the first of which being the largest portion of Sindarin found in the novel:

1. A Elbereth Gilthoniel
   O Elbereth Starkindler,
   silivren penna míriel
   white-glittering, slanting down sparkling like a jewel,
   o menel aglar elenath!
   the glory of the starry host!
   Na-chaered palan-díriel
   Having gazed far away
   o galadhremmin ennorath,
   from the tree-woven lands of Middle-earth,
   Fanuilos, le linnathon
   to thee, Everwhite, I will sing,
   nef aear, sí nef aearon!
   on this side of the Sea, here on this side of the Ocean!¹
   
   
2. A Elbereth Gilthoniel
   O Elbereth Star-kindler,
   o menel palan-díriel,
   from heaven gazing afar,
   le nallon sí di'-nguruthos!
   to thee I cry now beneath the shadow of death!
   A tíro nin, Fanuilos!
   O look towards me, Everwhite!²
   
   
3. A! Elbereth Gilthoniel!
   O! Elbereth Starkindler,
   silivren penna míriel
   white-glittering, slanting down sparkling like a jewel,
   o menel aglar elenath,
   the glory of the starry host
   Gilthoniel, A! Elbereth!
   Starkindler, O! Elbereth!
   We still remember, we who dwell
   In this far land beneath the trees
   The starlight on the western seas.³
   

In 1967 Donald Swann published a musical rendition on the album The Road Goes Ever On. The now rare first edition also includes a recording of Tolkien reading this prayer.

[edit] Sources

¹J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring, Many Meetings
²J.R.R. Tolkien, The Two Towers, The Choices of Master Samwise
³J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King, The Grey Havens

• Hiswelókë's Sindarin dictionary

[edit] External links

Ardalambion article