Bagme Bloma

From Tolkien Gateway

Bagme Bloma is a poem by J.R.R. Tolkien, written in Gothic, to be sung to the tune of O Lazy Sheep!. It is first published as the 13th song in Songs for the Philologists in 1936. It tells of the strength of the birch, defier of wind and lightning.[1]

The poem is reprinted with Modern English translation "Flower of the Trees" in The Road to Middle-earth by T.A. Shippey.

The poem[edit | edit source]

Bagme Bloma

Brunaim bairiþ bairka bogum
laubans liubans liudandei,
gilwagroni, glitmunjandei,
bagme bloma, blauandei,
fagrafahsa, liþulinþi,
fraujinondei fairguni.

Wopjand windos, wagjand lindos,
lutiþ limam laikandei;
slaihta, raihta, hveitarinda,
razda rodeiþ reirandei,
bandwa bairhta, runa goda,
þiuda meina þiuþjandei.

Andanahti milhmam neipiþ,
liuhteiþ liuhmam lauhmuni;
laubos liubai fliugand lausai,
tulgus, triggwa, standandei.
Bairka baza beidiþ blaika
fraujinondei fairguni.

Translation by Shippey[edit | edit source]

Flower of the Trees

The birch bears fine leaves on shining boughs, it grows pale green and glittering, the flower of the trees in bloom, fair-haired and supple-limbed, the ruler of the mountain.

The winds call, they shake gently, she bends her boughs low in sport; smooth, straight and white-barked, trembling she speaks a language, a bright token, a good mystery, blessing my people.

Evening grows dark with clouds, the lightning flashes, the fine leaves fly free, but firm and faithful the white birch stands bare and waits, ruling the mountain.

External links[edit | edit source]

References

  1. Shippey, T. The Road to Middle-earth, "On the Cold Hill's Side", page 316 (3rd edition)