This is an archive of songs mentioned in children’s books. The recordings and sheet music here may be used free of charge for non-profit educational purposes. Except for music in the public domain, rights for original music and arrangements are reserved and none of the music here may be played or reproduced for profit without written permission.
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
The recordings here are musical experiments I have done based on the text of The Hobbit. Tolkien did not write any tunes for the song lyrics in his stories, which means that any reader can come up with any musical interpretation imaginable. However, I wanted to see what compositions I could come up with if I followed the clues in the text about the style, instrumentation, and rhythms of the songs. These are not official tunes and should only be presented to students as one possible interpretation of what Tolkien wrote. Hopefully they can be used to encourage young readers to try writing their own tunes for the lyrics.
“The King Beneath the Mountains” – A hymn sung by the people of Lake-town to celebrate the return of the dwarves to the Lonely Mountain. Lyrics by J.R.R. Tolkien. Music by T.Q. Townsend.
Sheet music arranged for solo voice and guitar or ukulele
Sheet music arranged for SATB choir
“Lazy Lob and Crazy Cob” – A song Bilbo Baggins sings to taunt giant spiders. Lyrics by J.R.R. Tolkien. Music by T.Q. Townsend.
Sheet music arranged for solo voice and guitar or ukulele
“Old Fat Spider” – A song Bilbo Baggins sings to taunt giant spiders. Lyrics by J.R.R. Tolkien. Music by T.Q. Townsend.
Sheet music arranged for solo voice and guitar or ukulele
“Sing All Ye Joyful” – A lullaby sung by the elves of Rivendell to Bilbo Baggins. Lyrics by J.R.R. Tolkien. Music and vocals by T.Q. Townsend.
Sheet music arranged for SATB choir
Sheet music arranged for solo voice and guitar or ukulele
“Under the Mountain Dark and Tall” – A battle song sung by the twelve Dwarves in the company of Thorin Oakenshield. Lyrics by J.R.R. Tolkien. Music and vocals by T.Q. Townsend.
Sheet music arranged for solo voice and guitar or ukulele
Sheet music arranged for a small mens’ choir
The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White
“Mess Call” – a bugle call for meal times. Mentioned in Chapter 11.
“Now the Day is Over” – a hymn with words by Sabine Baring-Gould and music by Joseph Barnby. Mentioned in Chapter 16.
“Oh, Ever in the Greening Spring” – a trumpet tune by E.B. White. In the novel, Louis writes this love song about Serena. Mentioned in Chapters 13, 16, 17, and 21.
Sheet music for the melody as written in the book
Sheet music for voice, easy piano, guitar, or ukulele – Arrangement by T.Q. Townsend
“Reveille” – a bugle wake-up call. Mentioned in Chapters 10, 11, and 12.
Scale as played by Louis in Chapter 13.
“Taps” – a bugle call for bedtime. Mentioned in Chapters 10, 11, 12, 16, and 21.
“Wiegenlied” also known as “Brahms’ Lullaby” or “The Cradle Song.” Mentioned in Chapter 16. This clip that can be played while reading Chapter 16 when Louis attempts to play the song and a boy spoils it by shooting BBs at his trumpet: