In the Willow-meads of Tasarinan

From Tolkien Gateway
This article describes a concept which is mentioned in J.R.R. Tolkien's works, but was never given a definite name.

In the Willow-meads of Tasarinan is a song that was sung by Treebeard on 29 February T.A. 3019[1] as he strode through Fangorn Forest, taking Merry and Pippin to his home of Wellinghall at the foot of the mountain Methedras. Treebeard had been telling the hobbits of the "broad days" in the First Age when the forests were much more extensive and after a bit of silence began chanting this song as he walked.

Lyrics[edit | edit source]

In the willow-meads of Tasarinan I walked in the Spring.
Ah! the sight and the smell of the Spring in Nan-tasarion!
And I said that was good.
I wandered in Summer in the elm-woods of Ossiriand.
Ah! the light and the music in the Summer by the Seven Rivers of Ossir!
And I thought that was best.
To the beeches of Neldoreth I came in the Autumn.
Ah! the gold and the red and the sighing of leaves in the Autumn in Taur-na-neldor!
It was more than my desire.
To the pine-trees upon the highland of Dorthonion I climbed in the Winter.
Ah! the wind and the whiteness and the black branches of Winter upon Orod-na-Thôn!
My voice went up and sang in the sky.
And now all those lands lie under the wave,
And I walk in Ambarona, in Tauremorna, in Aldalómë,
In my own land, in the country of Fangorn,
Where the roots are long,
And the years lie thicker than the leaves
In Tauremornalómë.

After finishing this song Treebeard walked on silently through the silent woods.[2]

Legacy[edit | edit source]

Donald Swann wrote music for this song, which can be found in the book The Road Goes Ever On;[3] it is also found on the accompanying CD of the latest version.

See also[edit | edit source]

References