Snow-white! Snow-white! O Lady clear! is a song which was sung by a company of Elves, led by Gildor Inglorion, as they passed through the Shire in the late Third Age. It was overheard by Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee and Peregrin Took. Although the elves would have been singing in Sindarin, of which Frodo knew only a little, he was still able to interpret the meaning of the song. Its content is similar to A Elbereth Gilthoniel.
Song
Snow-white! Snow-white! O Lady clear!
O Queen beyond the Western Seas!
O light to us that wander here
Amid the world of woven trees!
Gilthoniel! O Elbereth!
Clear are thy eyes and bright thy breath!
Snow-white! Snow-white! We sing to thee
In a far land beyond the sea.
O Stars that in the Sunless Year
With shining hand by her were sown,
In windy fields now bright and clear
We see your silver blossom blown!
O Elbereth! Gilthoniel!
We still remember, we who dwell
In this far land beneath the trees,
Thy starlight on the Western Seas.
Portrayal in adaptations
1971: Sagan om Ringen (1971 film):
- The Black Riders stalking the Hobbits are driven off by a majestic song. Sam recognises it as the song of the elves and the Hobbits watch as they dance and sing. After the song is over, the Hobbits camp, eat and party with the Elves. Sam remembers it as one of the chief experiences in his life.
2001: Pán prsteňov (2001-2003 Slovak radio series):
- Galadriel (portrayed by Soňa Norisová) sings the song in the sixth and final episode of the first series (season), based on The Fellowship of the Ring.