Bagmē Blōma, or 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.
Poem excerpt
Bagme Bloma
Brunaim bairiþ bairka bogum
laubans liubans liudandei,
gilwagroni, glitmunjandei,
bagme bloma, blauandei,
fagrafahsa, liþulinþi,
fraujinondei fairguni.
Translation by Shippey
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.
External links
- Eric Kingsepp, Another translation of the poem (which also took inspiration from T.'s translation)
References
- ↑ Shippey, T. The Road to Middle-earth, "On the Cold Hill's Side", page 316 (3rd edition)