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This is a new 3rd edition of Donald Swann's song cycle based on J.R.R. Tolkien's poems. Old-timers like me still treasure the first two editions (1968 and 1978) because JRRT approved of this work and actually contributed to it! In addition to Swann's musical score, the volume includes some of JRRT's Elvish calligraphy, his discussion of Elvish words not published anywhere else, and his own translations of two Elvish songs from The Lord of the Rings: A! Elbereth Gilthoniel and Namarie (Galadriel's Lament). In addition, this new edition includes a setting to music of Beren's song for Luthien, some of JRRT's most beautiful lines...Finally, the book even comes with the old recording of these songs on compact disk for the first time! Finally, a replacement for the old LP. One amusing detail in this book appears in the song Errantry (also printed in The Adventures of Tom Bombadil). In that song, written long ago, JRRT used the name "Dumbledore." Did R. K. Rowling think no one would notice? The old editions of this book have always been treasures for serious JRRT collectors, and it's great to have the new edition and the recordings on CD. Highly recommended.
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