Chapter 33: Songs to Hold Back the Night

Sam winced in grief and pain as he heard the terrible shriek from above him. He began to cry as it echoed or at least he hoped it was only an echo and not additional screams for he well recognized the voice. Then to fight against his own fear and anguish, he began to sing, softly and nearly unable to continue at first, but then louder and stronger, because he was singing not just for himself. He didn’t care who else heard him as long as his Frodo did, so there was something else for his beloved brother to think about and to feel than whatever pain had caused that scream.

“I think of you;

I see you far away.

Walking down the homely roads

on a bright and windy day.

It was merry then when I could run

to answer to your call,

could hear your voice or take your hand;

but now the night must fall.

O master dear, will you not hear my voice

and answer before we die?”

He paused to listen. Nothing. But he wouldn’t give up hope. He couldn’t. He continued to sing.

“All the land in darkness deep now lies,

Moon and Sun are hidden from our eyes,

But though all round about us shadows loom,

The world is still fair beyond the gloom.

"In distant lands where the day is still fair,

The rivers run, the flowers die not there.

The sun yet shines to keep away the night,

And in the evening sky the stars are still bright.

“It may be long ere this dark night is past,

It may be long ere morning comes at last.

It may be long before the shadows fade away,

But always after darkness comes the day.

“Do not let go of hope for hope remains.

The sun shines ever clearer after the rain.

And so when these dark clouds are gone away,

You’ll rise to greet a glorious fair new day.”

As Sam continued the climb up the many levels of the tower, he sang his song again and again, pausing now and again to listen for a response. He cried harder when he didn’t hear one. He cried hardest when he did, faint, but there. Such a beautiful sound...

A/N: The first stanza of Sam’s song is taken from Prof. Tolkien, The History of the Lord of the Rings, The End of the Third Age. The rest is from Her Majesty.