 | |
| Poems by J.R.R. Tolkien | |
| "Old fat spider spinning in a tree!" | |
|---|---|
| Poem Information | |
| Written | Before 1937 |
| Revised | Before 1937 |
| Published | The Hobbit, The History of The Hobbit |
| Subject(s) | Spiders |
"Old fat spider spinning in a tree!" is the first line of a poem written by J.R.R. Tolkien that was published in The Hobbit in 1937.[1]
First stanza
Old fat spider spinning in a tree!
Old fat spider can’t see me!
Attercop! Attercop!
Won't you stop,
Stop your spinning and look for me?[1]
History
Bilbo Baggins sang this poem to distract the spiders while attempting to save Thorin and his companions in Mirkwood.[1]
Background
Tolkien first wrote the poem on some plot notes before he subsequently made minor changes to it.[2]
Portrayal in adaptations
1977: The Hobbit (1977 film):
- Though it was omitted from the final film, a version of the song appears on the soundtrack, titled "Old Fat Spider". The vocals were performed by Glenn Yarbrough.
1985: The Hobbit (1985 television film)
- The words are used by Bilbo as in the book, though without singing.
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Flies and Spiders"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, John D. Rateliff (ed.), “The Second Phase: Plot Notes A,” in The History of The Hobbit: Mr. Baggins (2007), note 15