mithrandirI’ve been recently listening to the Soundtrack to the Original 1978 Lord of the Rings Cartoon Film, which captured the story of both the Fellowship of the Ring and the Two Towers in one movie. One of the tracks gives a stirring ‘Lament for Gandalf,’ which can be found in the Lothlorian Chapter in the Fellowship of the Rings. The composer of the song decided to write his own rendition of the lament, rather than to use Tolkien’s; but suprisingly, it still witholds its natural value.


Let the night never cease to call you
Let the day nevermore be the same
Though you’ve gone where we cannot find you
In each heart you have set your nameMithrandir far you wander
And long may your name be sung
Through kingdoms of starlight
And realms of the sun
Mithrandir though you’re hidden
We’re still guided by your light
You’re walking beside us
A friend in the night

We were lost when the dark descended
And the light gathered into a storm
You appeared like a sunlit morning
At the winds of a world at war

Mithrandir far you wander
And long may your name be sung
Through kingdoms of starlight
And realms of the sun
Mithrandir though you’re hidden
We’re still guided by your light
You’re walking beside us
A friend in the night

Mithrandir rising through the shadow
Like a star shining deep in its home
You will dwell in our hearts forever
Nevermore will we stand alone

The third stanza is a perfecly clear example of Mithrandir’s true purpose in Middle-Earth, rather than the misunderstood viewpoint of just a grey wizard. Mithrandir was sent to Middle Earth not only to help guide the different races, but to unite them in a special bond of friendship, and help them unite against the common enemy of all good. Morgoth. Particularly noticeable, is how if it weren’t for Gandalf’s intervention at the Battle of Five Armies, the Elves, Men, and Dwarves would have faced one another in battle, only to be flanked by the approaching hoards of Orcs from the nearby mountains. Another perfect note of his importance, would be his part in coaxing Bilbo out of the door, and onto his adventure. For one must remember, if Gandalf had not done so, Bilbo would never have found the One Ring, and if that were the case, who knows how Sauron may have recovered it, and all hope would have been most definitely lost. Mithrandir’s purpose in Middle Earth is of nearly the most important, giving hope to the weak, and courage to the frightened.