The Road Goes Ever On Signed by J. R. R. Tolkien

6b Poems by J. R. R. Tolkien. Music by Donald Swann. London: George Allen and Unwin, 1968. SIGNED by Tolkien. Belonging to George Sayer

Notes

The Road Goes Ever On: A Song Cycle, first published in 1967, is a unique collaboration between J. R. R. Tolkien and the British composer Donald Swann, bringing several of Tolkien’s poems and songs from Middle-earth into the form of a musical composition. The work sets to music a selection of verses from The Lord of the Rings, including pieces such as Bilbo’s walking song and other lyrical passages that reflect the cultures and landscapes of Tolkien’s imagined world. Presented with vocal lines and piano accompaniment, the score allows readers and performers to experience Tolkien’s poetry as song, echoing the important role that music and verse play within the narrative traditions of Middle-earth.

Donald Swann (1923–1994), best known as half of the musical comedy duo Flanders and Swann, composed the music for the cycle with Tolkien’s direct involvement and approval. Tolkien himself advised on pronunciation and interpretation, particularly for songs in Elvish languages, and even provided a melody for one of the pieces. The collaboration grew from Swann’s admiration for Tolkien’s work and his desire to give musical life to the poems that appear throughout the stories. The result is a distinctive blend of literature and music in which Tolkien’s lyrical writing is paired with Swann’s thoughtful musical settings, creating a song cycle that reflects both the scholarly depth and imaginative richness of Middle-earth.

George Sayer (1914–2005) was a close personal friend, confidant, and ultimate biographer of C. S. Lewis, as well as a trusted friend to J. R. R. Tolkien. Originally a student tutored by Lewis at Oxford in the 1930s, Sayer later became the Head of English at Malvern College, maintaining a deep three-decade relationship with both authors through long walking tours in the Malvern Hills. He played an extraordinary role in the preservation of fantasy literature history; in 1952, when a heavily depressed Tolkien was struggling to find a publisher for The Lord of the Rings, he stayed at Sayer's home. To lift Tolkien's spirits, Sayer introduced him to a brand-new home tape recorder. Captivated by the technology, Tolkien sat down and recorded himself reading and singing excerpts from The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings manuscripts—producing some of the only surviving audio archives of his voice. 

This copy belonged to George Sayer and has an invitation tipped in to a 14th March [1968] reception “to hear the first London performance of Donald Swann’s musical settings of poems by Professor Tolkien, sung by William Elvin with the composer at the piano. The Song Cycle, The Road Goes Ever On, with embellishments and commentary by J. R. R. Tolkien will be published in book form on 28th March.” On the following preliminary fly leaf is a pastedown inscription in blue ink of J. R. R. Tolkien.

Description 

Cream hardcover with red lettering to cover. Original dust wrapper with title and lettering printed in black and red. Marginal decoration in Tengwar by Tolkien printed in gray and black. Belonging to George Sayer with pastedown to interior cover and SIGNED pastedown to preliminary flyleaf from Tolkien. Fine condition.

Description 

Cream boards with red lettering to upper board and spine. Original jacket. Chipping to top edge and head of spine on jacket. Very fine condition.