While Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings is primarily a work of prose, poetry and song are woven throughout its pages like stars across the night sky. While some are lighthearted (such as the infamous “Bath Song”) and others serve as exposition, there are some that stay in your heart well after the story is over.

I wanted to share three poems from The Lord of the Rings that have carried me through times of darkness and into hope. These poems are short and can be easily memorized, which I highly recommend!

I’ve used the ‘memorization’ page at the beginning of my Tea with Tolkien planner to keep track of these poems and make a point to read them every time I flip through my planner.

In Western Lands Beneath the Sun

This poem has carried me through many dark days of depression, especially after my most recent miscarriage. When the burden of grief feels overwhelmingly heavy and the darkness around you feels suffocating, this poem reminds us that there is still Light and Beauty in the world — even if we cannot see it right now. I talked about this poem more on episode 16 of my podcast.

“In western lands beneath the Sun
the flowers may rise in Spring,
the trees may bud, the waters run,
the merry finches sing.
Or there maybe 'tis cloudless night
and swaying beeches bear
the Elven-stars as jewels white
amid their branching hair.

Though here at journey's end I lie
in darkness buried deep,
beyond all towers strong and high,
beyond all mountains steep,
above all shadows rides the Sun
and Stars for ever dwell:
I will not say the Day is done,
nor bid the Stars farewell.”
- The Return of the King

All That is Gold Does Not Glitter

This was the first poem from The Lord of the Rings that I decided to memorize. In my high school art class, I chose to letter it for our calligraphy project and I still have the quote hanging on my wall in my basement today!

“All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.”
- The Fellowship of the Ring

Out of Doubt, Out of Dark,
To the Day's Rising

This poem is one that I’d noticed relatively recently, but I love it nonetheless. It speaks of the final moments of King Théoden, reflecting on the hope rekindled within himself and in others by his valor in battle. It’s the kind of thing we all hope might be said of us after our own death.

Out of doubt, out of dark, to the day's rising
he rode singing in the sun, sword unsheathing.
Hope he rekindled, and in hope he ended;
over death, over dread, over doom lifted
out of loss, out of life, unto long glory.
- The Return of the King

There are so many beautiful pieces of poetry within The Lord of the Rings, but I think these three are a wonderful starting point for anyone wanting to commit more Tolkien to memory.

If you’re interested in the Tea with Tolkien undated planner shown above, you can learn more by clicking on the photo below.