How unexpected that the word “song” appears only fifty-six times – the thread of music weaves so thoroughly through Tolkien’s writing that somehow I expected to hear about it at every turn. But no – the Master Craftsman uses a delicate brush which never points at itself.

• 01.072 and this is like a fragment of their song,
• 01.072 if it can be like their song without their music.
• 01.078 There lay they long, and many a song
• 01.120 and didn’t you hear our song?
• 02.027 and they told stories or sang songs
• 02.028 and sang songs Bilbo had never heard before.
• 03.013 Just then there came a burst of song
• 03.021 Then off they went into another song
• 03.026 and they sang a merry song as the party went across.
• 03.034 or one or two of the songs that they heard
• 03.050 Now they rode away amid songs of farewell
• 04.022 The general meaning of the song was only too plain;
• 05.006 of which so many songs had sung;
• 06.073 beginning a horrible song:
• 07.084 and sang songs making fun of us.
• 07.120 and while the dwarves were still singing songs
• 08.071 and their songs were filled with mirth.
• 08.071 and fair were those songs,
• 08.094 then dancing among the trees he began to sing a song
• 08.099 and began a new song:
• 09.039 and singing snatches of song.
• 09.041 while the song is up!’
• 09.052 began to sing a song round the river-door.
• 10.008 though some still sang old songs
• 10.008 and all that land would be filled with new song
• 10.034 nor did he think much of old songs,
• 10.034 Some began to sing snatches of old songs
• 10.034 Others took up the song
• 10.035 To songs of yore re-sung.
• 10.036 no songs had alluded to him even
• 10.037 and sang songs all day,
• 10.038 Some of the songs were old ones;
• 11.002 ‘Not at any rate until the songs have come true!’
• 11.004 There was no laughter or song or sound of harps,
• 11.004 at the singing of old songs by the lake
• 12.048 ‘Truly songs
• 14.005 It is time the songs began to prove themselves again.’
• 14.016 the old songs of mirth to come had been sung
• 14.033 and he is worthy of many imperishable songs.
• 14.033 and led us to believe that old songs could come true?
• 14.034 and some of those who had before sung the old songs loudest,
• 15.033 and with song,
• 15.035 but their song was not as elvish song,
• 15.035 but their song was not as elvish song,
• 15.035 and was much like the song they had sung long before
• 15.043 This song appeared to please Thorin,
• 15.043 both at the song
• 17.061 I have heard songs of many battles,
• 18.003 and no echo of a song.
• 18.019 If more of us valued food and cheer and song
• 18.024 Songs have said
• 18.032 in songs
• 19.001 they burst into a song of much the same kind as before.
• 19.036 to old songs
• 19.045 They are making songs which say that
• 19.046 Then the prophecies of the old songs

This morning’s adventure is wonderful, my friends! It turns out that “more” and “most” are the comparative and superlative of “many” (which came to me right away as I began this word) and also of “much” and “great”! I’m including “more” and “most” here, as it’s likely I’ll forget the connection by the time I get to “much” and “great”. In fact, given the existence of “greater” and “greatest”, I’m certain that I will forget this connection.

• 01.002 as all the people for many miles round called it –
• 01.002 and many little round doors opened out of it,
• 01.003 not only because most of them were rich,
• 01.005 built the most luxurious hobbit-hole for her
• 01.006 and more green,
• 01.006 in the most extraordinary fashion.
• 01.012 pretending to take no more notice of the old man.
• 01.017 for so many quiet lads
• 01.038 It was two more dwarves,
• 01.048 this was the most awkward Wednesday he ever remembered.
• 01.048 More dwarves,
• 01.048 four more!
• 01.050 but poor Mr. Baggins said he was sorry so many times,
• 01.056 ‘And more cakes –
• 01.058 whether a most wretched adventure
• 01.068 He was blowing the most enormous smoke-rings,
• 01.075 There many a gleaming golden hoard
• 01.078 There lay they long, and many a song
• 01.080 The dragon’s ire more fierce than fire
• 01.084 and more than half a mind to pretend to,
• 01.087 There are many hours before dawn.’
• 01.090 this most excellent
• 01.095 Gloin speaking: ‘Humph!’ (or some snort more or less like that).
• 01.095 I think it sounded more like fright than excitement!
• 01.095 He looks more like a grocer than a burglar!’
• 01.096 Many a time afterwards the Baggins part regretted what he did now,
• 01.100 ‘Let’s have no more argument.
• 01.100 There is a lot more
• 01.100 and a deal more than he has any idea of himself.
• 01.109 certainly not after devouring so many of the dwarves
• 01.114 ‘Now things begin to look more hopeful.
• 01.119 a bit more about things,’
• 01.122 and a great many jewels too.
• 01.122 and reward even the least skillful most richly.
• 01.122 not to speak of the most marvellous
• 01.123 There was a most specially greedy,
• 01.123 and destroyed most of the warriors –
• 01.132 and lots of adventures of a most unpleasant sort he had,
• 01.136 and the Mountain are more than big enough tasks for you!’
• 02.019 and then on for a mile or more.
• 02.025 and a good many other things,
• 02.032 He had eaten most,
• 02.032 talked most,
• 02.032 and laughed most.
• 02.033 would have been most useful, too,”
• 02.034 was most annoying.
• 02.042 any more than fly like a bat.
• 02.042 and Bilbo had sniffed more than once
• 02.045 what’s more,”
• 02.046 How much more d’yer want?
• 02.047 Others more practical but with less professional pride
• 02.048 He had read of a good many things he had never seen or done.
• 02.060 “P’raps there are more like him round about,
• 02.060 are there any more of your sort a-sneakin’
• 02.073 “There’s more to come yet,” said Tom,
• 02.088 if yer say any more.”
• 02.115 we shall know more about them.”
• 02.117 and they did nothing more till the afternoon.
• 02.117 putting a great many spells over them,
• 02.117 they all mounted once more,
• 02.122 “but could you be more plain?”
• 02.126 Please be more careful,
• 03.001 and their horses had more to eat than they had;
• 03.004 and just at that moment he felt more tired
• 03.018 they would only laugh all the more if you told them so.
• 03.018 and most of all at their beards.
• 03.020 “Most astonishing wonderful!”
• 03.033 He comes into many tales,
• 03.035 and goblins destroyed that city many ages ago.
• 03.042 and what is more,
• 03.042 with the more cunning sort
• 03.048 “Is there any more writing?”
• 03.050 with their hearts ready for more adventure,
• 04.001 There were many paths
• 04.001 and many passes over them.
• 04.001 But most of the paths were cheats
• 04.001 and most of the passes were infested by evil things
• 04.003 Dwarves had not passed that way for many years,
• 04.004 – more than a thunderstorm, a thunder-battle.
• 04.004 More terrible still are thunder
• 04.017 and it was most horribly stuffy.
• 04.017 and Bilbo was more unhappy
• 04.022 and more than one of the dwarves were already yammering
• 04.024 (and other much more dreadful things),
• 04.025 but they make many clever ones.
• 04.025 but the most skilled dwarves,
• 04.025 and also not working with their own hands more than they could help;
• 04.025 no more than they hated everybody
• 04.038 down more dark passages with the yells of the goblin-hall
• 04.040 and many a stumble,
• 04.041 Gandalf thought of most things;
• 04.044 many many feet which seemed only just round the last corner.
• 04.044 many many feet which seemed only just round the last corner.
• 04.048 The ones behind yelled still more,
• 04.048 and most of them were hustling back the way they had come.
• 04.049 and with hardly any more noise than bats.
• 04.051 and remembered nothing more.
• 05.004 and that was something more.
• 05.006 of which so many songs had sung;
• 05.008 still they are more used to tunnelling than we are,
• 05.011 goodness only knows how many years ago,
• 05.011 also there are other things more slimy than fish.
• 05.022 and until he found out more about the sword
• 05.023 until he found out more about the creature,
• 05.037 What is more they made him hungry;
• 05.037 so this time he tried something a bit more difficult
• 05.037 and more unpleasant:
• 05.056 ‘Give me more time!
• 05.058 Gollum was disappointed once more;
• 05.058 That made the hobbit most dreadfully uncomfortable
• 05.059 Jusst one more question to guess,
• 05.070 more upset than ever.
• 05.103 that no sword had any more terror for him.
• 05.127 more quietly than a mouse;
• 06.008 and why the wizard had not chosen someone with more sense.
• 06.008 ‘He has been more trouble than use so far,’
• 06.014 but probably more pleased than all the others.
• 06.014 Balin was the most puzzled of all;
• 06.019 and shuddered most appreciatively at his description of Gollum.
• 06.024 ‘Mr. Baggins has more about him than you guess.’
• 06.026 more than once,
• 06.026 one more easy to travel by,
• 06.027 a more or less decent giant to block it up again,’
• 06.032 and a great many others besides,
• 06.034 in answer to more questions from the hobbit.
• 06.052 and Gloin were more comfortable
• 06.060 More and more
• 06.060 More and more
• 06.062 among the more pleasant woods
• 06.062 There were many of them,
• 06.062 if there were many together,
• 06.065 but this was a most horrible
• 06.069 so he summoned many other eagles to him,
• 06.071 and they soon had a plan which seemed to them most amusing.
• 06.080 though he would probably have killed many of them
• 06.100 more soundly than ever he had done on his feather-bed
• 07.009 we will say no more about it just now.
• 07.010 and a well worn path with many steps leading down it to the river,
• 07.012 and looked most distressed,
• 07.012 ‘I can give you a day or two more.
• 07.019 ‘Couldn’t you find someone more easy-tempered?
• 07.020 ‘If you must know more,
• 07.022 I cannot tell you much more,
• 07.023 and lives most on cream
• 07.024 and they asked no more questions.
• 07.034 with many lopped branches beside it.
• 07.039 and was painfully conscious of his many missing buttons.
• 07.059 As a matter of fact there were more than two.’
• 07.062 and one or two more won’t make much difference,’
• 07.069 there were more than six ponies,
• 07.069 for there were more than six of us –
• 07.069 here are two more!’
• 07.075 what can a dozen do against so many?’ ‘
• 07.076 Or have you still got some more jacks
• 07.077 a couple more here now –
• 07.082 Beorn did not show it more than he could help,
• 07.083 I would have given them more than fireworks!’
• 07.088 without any more interruptions.’
• 07.088 The interruptions had really made Beorn more interested
• 07.088 and he never invited more than a couple of these to his house at a time.
• 07.093 and the hall had not seen such a gathering for many a year.
• 07.095 They spoke most of gold
• 07.097 but there were many more,
• 07.097 but there were many more,
• 07.116 Indeed for a long time they could get nothing more out of him,
• 07.117 there were far too many of them,
• 07.121 and he poked Mr. Baggins’ waistcoat most disrespectfully.
• 07.121 and have some more!’
• 07.122 Beorn was most jolly for a change;
• 07.122 but he had found more than that:
• 07.122 of many of his chief servants.
• 07.122 there was more wickedness than this afoot,
• 07.123 I shall think more kindly of dwarves after this.
• 07.125 so that they could get the most help he could offer.
• 07.126 as in most of his foods,
• 07.128 with many bows
• 07.128 and with many an ‘at your service,
• 07.128 that the adventure was far more dangerous
• 07.129 and bidding him many farewells they rode off
• 07.132 and when they had put many miles between them
• 07.132 and most of them slept uneasily
• 07.133 So they rode now for two more days,
• 07.134 There were no more deer;
• 07.142 I have told you before that he has more about him than you guess,
• 07.152 you had better get off without any more talk!’
• 07.154 all the more angry
• 07.154 Now began the most dangerous part of all the journey.
• 08.001 to bear more than a few blackened leaves.
• 08.002 and still more luck
• 08.005 and that was most terrifying.
• 08.007 and they wasted many arrows
• 08.007 and they shot no more squirrels.
• 08.024 That’s as many as the boat will hold at a time.
• 08.035 Yet if they had known more about it
• 08.037 they came to a part where most of the trees were beeches.
• 08.041 with many a slap
• 08.041 more than once he slipped
• 08.045 and were only made more angry
• 08.047 their tale of all the many adventures they had had since.
• 08.057 and find out more about them.
• 08.058 There were many people there,
• 08.058 but most splendid sight of all:
• 08.061 and there are more than ever of them.’
• 08.066 ‘all about having a most gorgeous dinner.’
• 08.070 and many fires must have been lit suddenly
• 08.071 and try once more to get help.
• 08.071 and more magnificent than before;
• 08.071 and many were singing.
• 08.074 That was one of his most miserable moments.
• 08.075 and remembered nothing more for a long while.
• 08.080 he guessed more or less right,
• 08.081 but he could make out many of the words that they said.
• 08.092 there were many stones lying
• 08.094 he threw some more stones at these,
• 08.098 As he sang he threw some more stones
• 08.100 I am far more sweet than other meat,
• 08.106 ‘Most likely Fili,’
• 08.106 most of the strong sticky threads
• 08.106 and a struggle most of Fili emerged.
• 08.107 and from hanging most of the night
• 08.107 he had to cut most of it off.
• 08.107 and some had been more poisoned.
• 08.108 more full of rage than ever.
• 08.114 most of them very shaky
• 08.115 and many of them were killed.
• 08.117 that is more or less the way towards the place
• 08.120 though many of the spiders were close behind.
• 08.123 It was a most terrible business,
• 08.123 for a single stroke more,
• 08.123 and followed them no more,
• 08.125 and they thanked him many times.
• 08.131 and were more dangerous
• 08.131 For most of them
• 08.131 and more learned,
• 08.131 They dwelt most often by the edges of the woods,
• 08.131 and after the coming of Men they took ever more
• 08.131 and more
• 08.132 and had many passages
• 08.132 and more wholesome than any goblin-dwelling,
• 08.133 he was ever eager for more,
• 08.134 and asked him many questions.
• 09.001 once more into the blackness of night,
• 09.001 of many torches all round them,
• 09.007 but he got little more news out of them than out of Thorin.
• 09.011 More than once he was nearly caught
• 09.013 At last after many difficulties he managed to find the place
• 09.015 and was determined once more
• 09.027 Balin was most surprised,
• 09.050 with many a clash
• 09.051 Most likely you saw it some time ago
• 09.059 when they started off once more.
• 09.061 On the shallow shore most of the barrels ran aground,
• 10.002 and through many adventures to see it,
• 10.003 he had been more lucky than he had guessed.
• 10.003 days which most people now remembered
• 10.003 and many a rider
• 10.005 the river took a more southerly course
• 10.010 and out crept a most unhappy dwarf.
• 10.011 more than the dwarves,
• 10.012 so after a few more groans he got up
• 10.013 Dwalin and Balin were two of the most unhappy,
• 10.013 and had also been packed more neatly
• 10.013 came out more or less smiling,
• 10.016 though I wish he could have arranged a more comfortable journey.
• 10.016 all very much at your service once more,
• 10.021 Some of the more foolish ran out of the hut
• 10.025 Nor could we fight against so many.
• 10.027 ‘Then all the more reason for taking us to him,’
• 10.027 and let us have no more words,
• 10.028 and by long wooden quays with many steps
• 10.028 From one great hall shone many lights
• 10.028 and there came the sound of many voices.
• 10.032 As a matter of fact he thought it far more likely
• 10.036 only there was a great deal more of it,
• 10.037 in the most delightful
• 10.039 There were no more groans or grumbles.
• 10.040 Still, I daresay, more was guessed than was known,
• 10.045 and many provisions.
• 11.006 foaming and splashing among many boulders,
• 11.013 Mr. Baggins had more than the others.
• 11.014 and no more.
• 11.016 In the morning they prepared to move once more.
• 11.017 to lower one of the more active dwarves,
• 11.019 had no more success.
• 11.019 and tools of many sorts from Lake-town,
• 11.023 and there were many of them
• 12.003 so I will not give you any more of it,
• 12.004 more than I used to
• 12.006 The most that can be said
• 12.008 and warned by the echoes to take more than hobbit’s care
• 12.017 and a more fevered shaking was
• 12.017 ‘More like a grocer than a burglar’ indeed!
• 12.017 we’ll hear no more of that.’
• 12.020 figured most unpleasantly)
• 12.021 that have more than they can enjoy
• 12.041 more or less,
• 12.041 Had he known more about dragons
• 12.041 he might have been more frightened
• 12.044 with scarcely a snore more than a whiff of unseen steam,
• 12.044 when Bilbo peeped once more from the entrance.
• 12.060 don’t have more to do with dwarves than you can help!’
• 12.067 and that most of the plunder
• 12.084 a couple of hundreds of years or more ago.
• 12.089 and that is more than most can say
• 12.089 and that is more than most can say
• 12.090 was more likely to end
• 12.090 Bilbo became more
• 12.090 and more unhappy
• 12.095 I assure you we are more than grateful
• 12.099 and he grew ever more uneasy.
• 13.004 just when the dwarves were most despairing,
• 13.019 of many colours at the surface,
• 13.031 Gloin lit several more torches,
• 13.032 even the most respectable,
• 13.034 and finding still hanging there many golden harps
• 13.034 But most of the dwarves were more practical:
• 13.034 But most of the dwarves were more practical:
• 13.039 more clear of the bewitchment of the hoard
• 13.039 ‘I would give a good many of these precious goblets,’
• 13.041 not without many a backward glance of longing.
• 13.042 in fear once more
• 13.043 and climbed yet more stairs,
• 13.043 and yet more stairs again.
• 13.046 As they came through yet more doors
• 13.046 and the grey light grew suddenly more full.
• 13.048 wide enough for many men abreast.
• 13.052 ‘and so I suppose it is more or less breakfast-time –
• 13.056 ‘More walking
• 13.056 and more climbing without breakfast!
• 13.056 I wonder how many breakfasts,
• 13.064 and most of its stones were now only boulders
• 13.071 more removed from the cold outside.
• 13.071 but there was a gathering of very many birds.
• 14.009 There was once more a tremendous excitement
• 14.011 and more bright,
• 14.011 and not the most foolish doubted
• 14.013 No one had dared to give battle to him for many an age;
• 14.015 Once more water was flung by a hundred hands
• 14.015 more than a fly from the marshes.
• 14.017 more than he had enjoyed anything for years.
• 14.023 The dragon swooped once more lower than ever,
• 14.025 Then the many boats could be seen
• 14.025 and most of their boats
• 14.033 and he is worthy of many imperishable songs.
• 14.034 and bitter words were shouted from many sides;
• 14.038 Many took ill of wet
• 14.039 Probably most of them would have perished
• 14.041 marching with many spearmen
• 14.043 and many skilled elves;
• 14.043 Then they set about raising many huts
• 14.043 designed more fair
• 14.044 and the most of the Elvenking’s array,
• 15.001 But ever more thickly the birds were gathering.
• 15.002 and far off there are many carrion birds
• 15.010 ‘They live many a year,
• 15.010 I knew many among the ravens of the rocks
• 15.013 and with him came a most decrepit old bird.
• 15.014 Most of my people are abroad,
• 15.019 But many are gathering hither beside the birds.
• 15.019 in the telling during many years;
• 15.019 many are eager for a share of the spoil.
• 15.019 and many have died,
• 15.020 We would see peace once more
• 15.021 If you would earn our thanks still more,
• 15.021 for he has many people well-armed,
• 15.024 and he would have given most of his share of the profits
• 15.026 They explored the caverns once more,
• 15.029 there were many lights as of fires
• 15.033 as they had not done for many a day.
• 15.037 The dwarves no more shall suffer wrong.
• 15.040 The mountain throne once more is freed!
• 15.049 yet he had an eye for many another wonderful thing
• 15.055 Ere many hours were past,
• 15.059 but indeed most of them seemed to share his mind –
• 15.059 He had by now had more than enough of the Mountain,
• 16.001 Many of the dwarves spent their time piling
• 16.002 ‘is worth more than a river of gold
• 16.004 that Dain and more than five hundred dwarves,
• 16.005 though the dragon is no more!’
• 16.018 They will help him more than us,
• 16.026 where folk are more reasonable.
• 16.031 a good many of them have had experience
• 16.039 more or less.
• 16.040 ‘You are more worthy to wear the armour of elf-princes
• 16.040 than many that have looked more comely
• 16.040 than many that have looked more comely
• 16.040 I have more knowledge of dwarves
• 16.043 ‘There is always more about you than anyone expects!’
• 16.044 For the first time for many a day
• 17.026 More than one of the dwarves
• 17.031 but most of these were strong even for dwarves.
• 17.034 and by that time yet more dwarves might come,
• 17.034 and yet more,
• 17.034 for Thorin had many relatives.
• 17.036 There are many of our archers
• 17.040 Still more suddenly a darkness came on
• 17.041 it has come more swiftly than I guessed.
• 17.042 The elves cried out with many voices.
• 17.048 and many there fell before the rest drew back
• 17.049 The most dreadful of all Bilbo’s experiences,
• 17.049 and the one which at the time he hated most –
• 17.049 which is to say it was the one he was most proud of,
• 17.049 and most fond of recalling long afterwards,
• 17.052 Already many of the goblins were flying
• 17.052 and many of their own wolves were turning upon them
• 17.053 and already many were on the slopes above the Gate,
• 17.058 Down too came many of the Lake-men,
• 17.058 came many of the spearmen of the elves.
• 17.059 lay many men
• 17.059 and many dwarves,
• 17.059 and many a fair elf
• 17.060 partly because there was more chance of escape from that point,
• 17.060 (with the more Tookish part of his mind)
• 17.061 I have heard songs of many battles,
• 17.065 Many wondering eyes looked up,
• 17.066 ‘The Eagles!’ cried Bilbo once more,
• 17.066 and knew no more.
• 18.010 who are many,
• 18.014 he said more gravely.
• 18.016 wounded with many wounds,
• 18.018 that has been more than any Baggins deserves.’
• 18.019 ‘There is more
• 18.019 If more of us valued food and cheer and song
• 18.021 but it gave him more sorrow than joy,
• 18.024 and prevented most of them from escaping where they could.
• 18.024 They drove many of them into the Running River,
• 18.024 and the mountains had peace for many a year.
• 18.025 and not many were
• 18.025 save the more grievously wounded.
• 18.026 in many warm blankets.
• 18.027 ‘but most have gone back to their eyries.
• 18.032 and in time many other dwarves gathered to his throne
• 18.034 greater than that of many mortal kings.
• 18.034 such jewels as he most loved,
• 18.035 since so many have a claim
• 18.035 I would reward you most richly of all.’
• 18.039 when our halls are made fair once more,
• 18.042 yet many were glad,
• 18.042 for many a long day.
• 18.045 where you are most needed
• 18.051 He had many hardships
• 18.051 and there were many other things in it
• 18.051 and it is said that for many generations
• 18.051 but most were
• 19.003 The fire is more shining
• 19.005 and there were many eager ears that evening
• 19.005 Most of the tale he knew,
• 19.007 ‘the Forest will grow somewhat more wholesome.
• 19.007 for many long years, I hope.
• 19.008 or for many after.’
• 19.009 and yet more tales,
• 19.010 Below it many elves were singing loud
• 19.014 Sigh no more Pine, till the wind of the morn!
• 19.018 and he had many a merry jest
• 19.024 and more silent;
• 19.024 it seemed to him more like ten –
• 19.026 You may find you have more needs than you expect.’
• 19.027 for most of the time they walked.
• 19.035 and many were going
• 19.036 they were more surprised still.
• 19.036 and most of the things
• 19.037 it was a great deal more than a nine days’ wonder.
• 19.037 Many of his silver spoons mysteriously disappeared
• 19.038 Indeed Bilbo found he had lost more than spoons –
• 19.039 was ever after more musical than it had been
• 19.040 and though many shook their heads
• 19.042 that Mr. Baggins’ waistcoat was more extensive
• 19.043 and was more prosperous than ever,
• 19.044 and took most of the gold
• 19.045 he gets most of the credit for the present prosperity.

Long, longer, longest – this very common word is quite straightforward. There were no instances of the present tense of “to long, to feel longing”.

• 1.004 have long clever brown fingers,
• 1.004 that long ago one of the Took ancestors must have taken a fairy wife.
• 1.006 one morning long ago
• 1.006 smoking an enormous long wooden pipe
• 1.007 a long grey cloak,
• 1.007 over which his long white beard
• 1.008 But Gandalf looked at him from under long bushy eyebrows
• 1.023 and laughing long but quietly.
• 1.029 They had not been at table long,
• 1.050 and also a sky-blue one with a long silver tassel.
• 1.078 There lay they long, and many a song
• 1.091 before the break of day start on our long journey,
• 1.092 Poor Bilbo couldn’t bear it any longer.
• 1.092 and that was all they could get out of him for a long time.
• 1.098 Yes, yes, but that was long ago,’ said Gloin.
• 1.106 but how do we know that it is secret any longer?
• 1.106 Old Smaug has lived there long enough now
• 1.113 with a long barrel
• 1.114 as far as the Long Lake.
• 1.115 A long time before that,
• 1.122 Long ago
• 1.123 and they guard their plunder as long as they live
• 1.123 than the far edge of the Long Lake now-a-days.
• 1.135 We have long ago
• 1.140 If you sit on the door-step long enough,
• 1.140 I think we have talked long enough for one night,
• 1.145 It was long after the break of day,
• 2.027 They had not been riding very long,
• 2.043 They were toasting mutton on long spits of wood,
• 2.045 have we had for long enough,” said a second.
• 2.087 and it’s a long way
• 3.010 Tea-time had long gone by,
• 3.027 “It is long enough without watering it.”
• 3.031 They stayed long
• 3.040 and gazed long at it,
• 3.042 a long while ago.”
• 4.002 Long days after they had climbed
• 4.002 and a long.
• 4.011 though everybody knew they could not have been long about it;
• 4.012 and before long they came to a big rock standing out into the path.
• 4.012 in Bilbo’s dining-room that seemed so long ago,
• 4.014 For, somehow, he could not go to sleep for a long while;
• 4.025 as long as it is done smart
• 4.040 Not for a long while did they stop,
• 4.049 It was quite a long while
• 4.049 a long, long, way on into the dark tunnels of the goblins’ realm.
• 4.049 a long, long, way on into the dark tunnels of the goblins’ realm.
• 5.002 for a long while.
• 5.003 in a very dark corner for a long while.
• 5.008 that men have mostly never heard or have forgotten long ago.
• 5.009 I do not know how long he kept on like this,
• 5.012 which he grabbed with his long fingers as quick as thinking.
• 5.012 when they were tunnelling down long ago,
• 5.022 in the long,
• 5.022 long ago,
• 5.036 He had been underground a long long time,
• 5.036 He had been underground a long long time,
• 5.044 after giving him a long chance,
• 5.045 thieving from nests long ago,
• 5.049 I gave you a good long chance just now.’
• 5.050 But when he put his long webby foot
• 5.078 At last Bilbo could wait no longer.
• 5.087 when he could not bear to be parted from it any longer,
• 5.145 but it was a long time before he ventured to try.
• 6.014 they doubted no longer.
• 6.040 and the long grasses between the boulders,
• 6.040 Before long the whole slope above them
• 6.045 The sun had long gone behind the mountains.
• 6.049 a long shuddering howl.
• 6.059 in for long at any time;
• 6.061 (which I am glad to say has not happened for a long while)
• 6.063 And long before that,
• 6.067 as long lines of the wicked folk crept
• 6.087 and wondered if he could hold on any longer.
• 7.005 They did this for a long while,
• 7.014 and then began to march through the long green grass
• 7.022 again as long as you are within a hundred miles of his house,
• 7.024 They still had a long way to walk before them.
• 7.031 and a long low wooden house.
• 7.034 and its two long wings.
• 7.043 it is a long tale.’
• 7.051 So Gandalf gave a long shrill whistle,
• 7.089 and the shadows were long
• 7.090 The best I have heard for a long while.
• 7.096 They sat long at the table
• 7.097 and their singing went on for a long while:
• 7.116 Indeed for a long time they could get nothing more out of him,
• 7.117 ended Gandalf, and he sat a long while silent.
• 7.122 nor did they have to wonder long where he had been or why he was so nice to them,
• 7.126 and twice-baked cakes that would keep good a long time,
• 7.130 By his advice they were no longer making for the main forest-road
• 7.130 where the paths had long been lost.
• 7.130 and would have left them still with a long
• 7.131 and they will have the longer ride to catch you.
• 7.133 and while the shadows were still long they were off again.
• 7.133 sticking up out of the long grass,
• 7.134 and long.
• 7.142 and you will find that out before long.
• 7.144 Before long I expect we shall all wish our packs heavier,
• 7.151 and see the Long Marshes lying below you,
• 8.004 It was not long
• 8.004 long after they were sick for a sight of the sun
• 8.004 and lived at times for long whiles without the light of the sun;
• 8.017 so when he had stared a long while
• 8.017 and on the end of the longest
• 8.033 There they sat for a long while
• 8.033 as if he no longer cared for all the troubles that vexed them.
• 8.039 and before long they were
• 8.042 and it was a long while before he could bear it.
• 8.043 for a long time,
• 8.047 since they started their journey that May morning long ago.
• 8.057 we shan’t remain alive much longer anyway,’
• 8.057 and forwards for a long while,
• 8.059 not for a long time at any rate.
• 8.060 But they had not been lying long,
• 8.071 and at the head of a long line of feasters
• 8.075 and remembered nothing more for a long while.
• 8.078 and he stood a long while wondering
• 8.084 Don’t hang ’em too long,’
• 8.092 and it did not take him long to find a nice smooth egg-shaped one
• 8.093 flinging out their long threads
• 8.104 The worst part of the job was getting up on to the long branch
• 8.106 he thought by the tip of a long nose
• 8.107 (long noses are sometimes useful you see)
• 8.115 But it could not go on for long.
• 8.118 but at last Bilbo felt he could delay no longer –
• 8.120 and throwing down their long clinging threads.
• 8.126 Long after the others had stopped talking
• 8.127 and there was complete silence for a long while.
• 8.145 It was not very long before he discovered;
• 9.002 in a long line,
• 9.007 Long and searchingly
• 9.011 it was a weary long time that he lived
• 9.014 to be angry any longer at his misfortunes,
• 9.014 and had a long whispered talk
• 9.019 to the Long Lake.
• 9.020 where the Forest River flowed into the Long Lake.
• 9.029 and what with their long imprisonment.
• 9.037 Before long,
• 9.058 but before long
• 9.058 and how much longer he would be able to hang on,
• 9.059 The luck turned all right before long:
• 9.060 Before long the barrels broke free again
• 9.061 There was a dim sheet of water no longer overshadowed,
• 9.062 He no longer thought twice about picking up a supper uninvited
• 9.062 he had been obliged to do it for so long,
• 9.064 He was no longer dripping but he felt cold all over.
• 10.003 only the river offered any longer a safe way
• 10.006 the forest-river rushed into the Long Lake.
• 10.006 The Long Lake!
• 10.006 but it was so long that its northerly end,
• 10.018 for it was so long
• 10.027 after our long road
• 10.028 and by long wooden quays with many steps
• 10.028 looking at long tables filled with folk.
• 10.044 and their arrival had turned things into a long holiday
• 10.045 on the last stage of their long journey.
• 11.001 they rowed right up the Long Lake
• 11.004 and before long there was neither bush nor tree,
• 11.004 and blackened stumps to speak of ones long vanished.
• 11.013 They moved their camp then to a long valley,
• 11.013 in long steep-sided ridges
• 11.015 and then at evening began their long climb down.
• 11.020 remembering Bilbo’s words long ago at the unexpected party
• 11.021 The hobbit was no longer much brighter than the dwarves.
• 11.038 Long straight cracks appeared
• 12.001 For a long time the dwarves stood
• 12.002 who has proved himself a good companion on our long road,
• 12.003 though he went on a good deal longer than this.
• 12.004 may your beard grow ever longer,’
• 12.008 from Bag-End long ago.
• 12.014 and his long pale belly crusted with gems
• 12.014 and fragments of gold from his long lying on his costly bed.
• 12.017 while the little hobbit toiled back up the long tunnel.
• 12.019 but up the long tunnel came the dreadful echoes,
• 12.020 especially after long possession;
• 12.021 suddenly lose something that they have long had
• 12.030 unless any one fancies tramping the long open miles
• 12.032 Long he had hunted
• 12.033 for them to dare the long way on foot.
• 12.034 They debated long on what was to be done,
• 12.039 Perhaps before long one or two could be chosen
• 12.060 and eat all the others before long.
• 12.078 Well, I really must not detain Your Magnificence any longer,’
• 12.078 after a long start.
• 12.081 but it was a long time
• 12.096 (long since dead)
• 12.096 shields made for warriors long dead;
• 13.001 they could bear it no longer.
• 13.005 so I will risk a third visit when I am no longer sure.
• 13.010 At length Mr. Baggins could bear it no longer.
• 13.019 from the heart of the mountain long ago,
• 13.031 It was not long before they met Bilbo himself
• 13.033 The dwarves indeed no longer needed any urging.
• 13.034 that had long been silent.
• 13.037 wrought for some young elf-prince long ago.
• 13.039 Long before the dwarves were tired
• 13.040 and we have tempted luck too long!’
• 13.043 were long mouldered or destroyed,
• 13.043 They climbed long stairs,
• 13.044 and Bilbo was just feeling that he could go on no longer,
• 13.051 After their long time
• 13.064 they found long fallen,
• 13.064 and before long came to a deep dell
• 13.064 It was made by the Lake-men for long journeys.)
• 13.067 otherwise we might have had longer warning
• 14.005 It is long since he went North.
• 14.011 Before long,
• 14.018 in long line of Girion,
• 14.018 down the Running River from the ruin long ago.
• 14.041 in those parts for a long age.
• 14.042 he hastened now down the river to the Long Lake.
• 15.010 and their memories are long,
• 15.013 Before long there was a fluttering of wings,
• 15.020 after the long desolation;
• 15.026 had long ago been broken
• 15.031 Before long they could see that both men of the lake armed
• 15.035 and was much like the song they had sung long before
• 15.037 The sword is sharp, the spear is long,
• 15.043 and how long it would be
• 15.049 upon which a dragon has long brooded,
• 15.049 Long hours
• 16.010 may his beard grow ever longer;
• 16.013 But it is long since I watched,
• 16.027 as long as you sit here.’
• 16.029 Before long you will be having snow
• 16.030 a long time ago;
• 17.009 No one spoke for a long while.
• 17.032 Before long the dwarves could be seen
• 17.037 Long will I tarry,
• 17.048 Ere long the vanguard swirled
• 17.049 and most fond of recalling long afterwards,
• 17.051 and beside them came the men of the Lake with long swords.
• 17.053 and the defenders had too few to bar the way for long.
• 17.059 that should have lived yet long ages merrily
• 17.061 It will not be long now,’
• 18.010 and we have looked for you long.
• 18.013 It was not long before Bilbo was set down before a tent
• 18.020 Indeed it was long
• 18.021 The Eagles had long had suspicion of the goblins’ mustering;
• 18.021 It was not long before they had freed the Lonely Mountain,
• 18.033 no longer any question of dividing the hoard
• 18.042 for many a long day.
• 18.043 It was a long
• 18.050 and Bilbo started on his long road home.
• 18.053 At last they came up the long road,
• 19.007 Ere long now,’
• 19.007 for many long years, I hope.
• 19.009 tales of long ago,
• 19.018 Yet even that place could not long delay him now,
• 19.021 There is a long road yet,’ said Gandalf.
• 19.032 And trees and hills they long have known.
• 19.037 It was quite a long time
• 19.038 but he was no longer quite respectable.
• 19.040 and those were extraordinarily long.
• 19.042 that Balin’s beard was several inches longer,

Friends, this is “lie” as in “lie down” because the next line of the song is “There lay they long” and, as we all know, “lay” is the past tense of “lie”. This is Lie, Lying, Lay, Had Lain.

It’s going to take me the whole weekend (update, it took six months??? for no reason???), at least, to sort out Lie/Lay/Lie among the words of the Hobbit, so meanwhile for your pleasure, here’s the video on the topic that I made for my wonderful students:

I. 1. a. intransitive. Of persons or animals: To be in a prostrate or recumbent position. Formerly also with reflexive pronoun.

“lie, v.1.” OED Online, Oxford University Press, December 2019, http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/108041. Accessed 6 December 2019.

• 01.078 There lay they long, and many a song
• 01.143 As he lay in bed
• 02.071 so there he lay for a while panting,
• 02.075 Soon Dwalin lay by Balin,
• 03.003 where Smaug lies on our treasure.”
• 04.002 Bilbo knew there lay his own country of safe
• 04.005 and he lay beneath a blanket
• 04.014 and he was very afraid but could not call out or do anything but lie
• 05.011 in from outside to lie up
• 05.038 It lies behind stars and under hills,
• 05.053 No-legs lay on one-leg,
• 06.078 in cinders lie
• 06.088 There he lay without speaking,
• 07.055 that lies to the south of your country,
• 07.094 that lay outstretched far to North
• 07.098 there shadows lay by night and day,
• 07.102 there black and dark lay boulders stark
• 07.108 in the shadows where he lay,
• 07.132 and till evening it lay golden on the land about them.
• 07.132 and to forget the dark forest-path that lay
• 07.154 that lay on the lands outside
• 08.003 and among the leaves that lay piled endlessly thick
• 08.050 before they lay down
• 08.050 and that he wanted to lie down
• 08.052 ‘I’m just going to lie here
• 08.059 in what direction the path lay,
• 08.068 as he lay down beside the dwarves
• 08.076 The spider lay dead beside him,
• 08.078 in what direction the path lay,
• 08.108 and lay there.
• 08.125 There they lay for some time,
• 08.129 and shuddered as they lay lost
• 08.145 There in the king’s dungeon poor Thorin lay;
• 09.001 in which the path lay;
• 09.017 probably all the dark distance of Mirkwood lay between them.
• 09.059 and lay on the top spread out to keep the balance as best he could.
• 10.010 through the shallow water to lie groaning on the shore.
• 10.012 where they sat or lay muttering
• 10.013 but they lay down
• 11.005 The Mountain lay dark
• 11.007 ‘There lies all that is left of Dale,’
• 11.022 but of what lay beyond the blue distance,
• 11.023 A large grey stone lay
• 11.038 lay before their eyes,
• 12.012 before he ever saw the vast danger that lay
• 12.012 Before him lies the great bottommost cellar
• 12.013 There he lay,
• 12.013 lay countless piles of precious things,
• 12.014 Smaug lay,
• 12.016 Above him the sleeping dragon lay,
• 12.018 but Bilbo lay with his eyes shut,
• 12.029 and scorched them as they lay hid.
• 12.031 and there they lay and shivered
• 13.009 There he lay face downwards on the floor
• 13.067 here we can now lie hid
• 14.043 where the dragon lay.
• 15.050 While an armed host lies before our doors,
• 16.014 I will lie
• 17.059 lay many men
• 18.016 There indeed lay Thorin Oakenshield,
• 18.026 as he lay wrapped
• 18.031 ‘There let it lie till the Mountain falls!’
• 18.043 in the waste that lay between it
• 18.053 There behind lay Mirkwood,

Someone – not I – should make a little frequency distribution chart of who is being referred to with each of these 110 instances. I double-dog-dare you.

My own students, please take note (colleagues, do as you please!!!):

Man was considered until the 20th cent. to include women by implication, though referring primarily to males. It is now frequently understood to exclude women, and is therefore avoided by many people.

“man, n.1 (and int.).” OED Online, Oxford University Press, December 2019, http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/113198. Accessed 5 December 2019.

• 1.007 was an old man with a staff.
• 1.012 pretending to take no more notice of the old man.
• 1.012 But the old man did not move.
• 1.017 Not the man that used to make
• 1.078 And harps of gold; where no man delves
• 1.078 Was sung unheard by men or elves.
• 1.080 And men looked up with faces pale;
• 1.098 that there was a man of the sort
• 1.099 You asked me to find the fourteenth man for your expedition,
• 1.099 Just let any one say I chose the wrong man or the wrong house,
• 1.109 and men of Dale.’
• 1.122 and treated with great reverence by the mortal men,
• 1.123 from men
• 2.036 when Balin, who was always their look-out man, said:
• 2.115 nor by any smith among men
• 3.032 and the first men
• 4.003 since the dragons had driven men from the lands,
• 5.008 that men have mostly never heard or have forgotten long ago.
• 5.054 man at table sitting on a stool,
• 5.129 No great leap for a man,
• 6.014 of a look-out man who let people walk right into them
• 6.061 like men do on horses.
• 6.062 bold men had of late been making their way back into it from the South,
• 6.095 anywhere near where men lived.
• 7.021 a man that calls rabbits conies,
• 7.022 sometimes he is a great strong black-haired man with huge arms
• 7.022 Others say that he is a man
• 7.022 descended from the first men who lived
• 7.023 and as a man he keeps cattle and horses
• 7.034 Standing near was a huge man with a thick black beard
• 7.036 of the man’s brown tunic.
• 7.038 growled the man.
• 7.042 Goblins?’ said the big man less gruffly.
• 7.044 said the man leading the way through a dark door
• 7.069 The big man was frowning at first,
• 7.070 in my merry men,
• 7.122 or to take vengeance on the men
• 8.131 and after the coming of Men they took ever more
• 9.006 he told his men to unbind them,
• 9.018 or from the vineyards of Men
• 9.019 It seemed a town of Men still throve there,
• 10.007 not a town of elves but of Men,
• 10.008 But men remembered little of all that,
• 10.009 Soon men would come up from the South
• 10.028 and with six men about them he led them over the bridge
• 10.033 of the Men of the Lake,
• 10.041 and wiser than the men of the town,
• 11.001 but none of the men of the town would stay with them
• 12.005 the look-out man,
• 12.015 since Men changed the language
• 12.032 that men had come up from the river and the lake
• 12.084 The Men of Dale used to have the trick
• 12.084 to fly to the Men of the Lake
• 12.103 but if you are not one of those men of the Lake,
• 13.048 wide enough for many men abreast.
• 14.002 The men of the lake-town Esgaroth
• 14.012 and the shouts of men
• 14.013 if it had not been for the grim-voiced man
• 14.016 Already men were jumping
• 14.016 Now men cursed their names.
• 14.023 With a shriek that deafened men,
• 14.031 and have not endured the rule of mere fighting men.
• 14.032 We have had enough of the old men
• 14.033 I am the last man
• 14.035 if he could but find the men.
• 14.037 unless it was to call loudly for men to bring him fire
• 14.038 Men spoke of the recompense for all their harm
• 14.042 and the men
• 14.043 and with him were some men of crafts
• 14.044 But all the men of arms
• 15.017 in battle with the men of Esgaroth
• 15.019 By the lake men murmur
• 15.020 he is a grim man but true.
• 15.020 and men
• 15.031 Before long they could see that both men of the lake armed
• 15.046 A tall man stood forward,
• 15.048 the dwellings of the men of Esgaroth,
• 15.050 no man has a claim,
• 15.053 with armed men at my gate.
• 15.056 for the comfort of the men of the Lake.’
• 16.006 and snow will bite both men
• 16.042 As they passed through the camp an old man,
• 17.003 before whom an old man wrapped
• 17.008 and at the same moment the old man opened the casket
• 17.016 The old man with the casket
• 17.032 Trumpets called men
• 17.044 and Men
• 17.045 and themselves to man the great spurs
• 17.048 on the Eastern spur were men
• 17.048 and some of the nimblest of men
• 17.048 A few brave men were strung before them
• 17.051 and beside them came the men of the Lake with long swords.
• 17.054 and men,
• 17.057 and Men!
• 17.059 lay many men
• 17.059 and upon either side men
• 18.005 Suddenly he was aware of a man climbing up
• 18.007 said the man halting
• 18.010 said the man striding forward.
• 18.012 said the man,
• 18.013 The man was swift
• 18.021 and men on either side of the valley
• 18.043 in man’s shape,
• 18.051 and men came from far
• 18.051 so that men went abroad without fear.
• 18.051 the men of his line had the power of taking bear’s shape,
• 18.051 and some were grim men
• 19.002 With strength that men trusted
• 19.043 and men had gathered to him
• 19.043 and men.

Our song is changing!!!

• 1.077 To claim our long-forgotten gold.
• 9.016 would suffer seriously if the Wood-elves claimed part of it,
• 10.044 You must claim your own.
• 14.033 From whom should we claim the recompense of our damage,
• 15.050 no man has a claim,
• 15.052 And still my other claims remain unanswered.’
• 15.054 though they had no claim but friendship on him,’
• 15.056 and we bid him consider well the claims that have been urged,
• 16.027 Personally I am only too ready to consider all your claims carefully,
• 16.027 in my own claim.
• 16.039 I am willing to let it stand against all my claim,
• 18.035 since so many have a claim
• 18.035 to lay aside all your claim,

Indeed. The sun was shining. That makes me smile. Perfectly Imperfect.

• 1.008 The sun was shining,
• 1.076 They meshed the light of moon and sun.
• 2.002 By that time the sun was shining;
• 2.030 Somewhere behind the grey clouds the sun must have gone down,
• 2.110 dug somewhere near to hide from the sun in?
• 3.026 when sun has been all day on the snow far up above.
• 3.034 with the early sun
• 3.044 “and the setting sun
• 3.047 and the sun
• 3.050 and the sun dancing on the water.
• 4.002 let loose by mid-day sun upon the snow,
• 5.036 Sun on the daisies it means,
• 5.146 the sun came out from behind a cloud
• 5.149 But they don’t like the sun:
• 5.149 and keeping out of the sun;
• 6.001 till the sun began to sink westwards –
• 6.045 The sun had long gone behind the mountains.
• 6.067 that could look at the sun unblinking,
• 7.001 with the early sun
• 7.002 The sun was still close to the eastern edge of things.
• 7.008 where the sun sails
• 7.014 in the sun,
• 7.045 and filled with the light of the westering sun which slanted into it,
• 7.089 the sun had fallen behind the peaks of the Misty Mountains
• 7.105 you must not stray outside until the sun is up,
• 7.111 We have been about looking for Beorn ever since the sun got up;
• 7.132 The sun had only just turned west when they started,
• 7.133 but soon the sun rose red
• 8.002 Occasionally a slender beam of sun
• 8.004 long after they were sick for a sight of the sun
• 8.004 and lived at times for long whiles without the light of the sun;
• 8.042 The sun was shining brilliantly,
• 8.043 that had been lightened by the sight of the sun
• 8.131 in the twilight of our Sun
• 9.064 Luckily there was no sun at the time to cast an awkward shadow,
• 10.006 The sun had set when turning
• 10.035 And grass beneath the sun;
• 11.013 until the sun began to sink towards the forest,
• 11.029 As the sun turned west
• 11.029 Soon he saw the orange ball of the sun
• 11.032 The sun sank lower
• 11.032 a red ray of the sun escaped like a finger through a rent
• 11.037 the sun sank,
• 12.042 The sun was shining when he started,
• 12.097 in the sun,
• 13.048 A misty sun sent its pale light
• 13.050 And I never expected to be so pleased to see the sun again,
• 13.051 they shivered in the sun.
• 13.065 and saw the wintry sun going downwards to the West.
• 14.008 His wealth is like the Sun,
• 17.005 and setting of a few suns,’
• 18.052 and a bright sun,
• 18.053 and looking backward they saw a white sun
• 19.029 By caves where never sun has shone,

Oh, my. Oh, this is delightful! Oh, look at the very first one!

• 1.070 and was swept away into dark lands under strange moons,
• 1.076 They meshed the light of moon and sun.
• 1.081 The mountain smoked beneath the moon;
• 1.081 Beneath his feet, beneath the moon.
• 2.031 and a wandering moon appeared
• 3.010 for the moon had not risen.
• 3.040 The moon was shining
• 3.042 They can only be seen when the moon shines behind them,
• 3.042 it must be a moon of the same shape
• 3.042 in a crescent moon,
• 3.047 the first day of the last moon of Autumn
• 3.047 when the last moon of Autumn
• 3.049 “None to be seen by this moon,” said Elrond,
• 4.003 perhaps that very next last moon of Autumn
• 6.033 There will be a bit of moon,
• 6.033 Not that they mind the moon much,
• 6.048 The moon was up
• 6.049 It was wolves howling at the moon,
• 6.050 in the forest under the moon
• 6.052 in the moon as he peeped out.
• 6.067 Also he could see the glint of the moon
• 6.086 and there with the light of the moon on a hill-side rock or a stream
• 7.008 and the moon walks,’
• 7.023 on the top of the Carrock at night watching the moon
• 7.103 The moon set sail upon the gale,
• 7.106 a splash of white on the floor came from the high moon,
• 7.133 and into the night beneath the moon.
• 7.136 in the moon watching our camps.
• 8.131 and Moon,
• 11.029 and faint was a thin new moon above the rim of Earth.
• 11.032 The little moon was dipping to the horizon.
• 11.037 the moon was gone,
• 12.097 like rain upon the Moon!’
• 14.020 The moon is rising.
• 14.021 and as he came the moon rose above the eastern shore
• 14.023 in the moon –
• 14.024 white in the sudden dark under the moon.
• 14.025 The waxing moon rose higher
• 15.017 the third night back from now at the rising of the moon.’
• 19.003 The moon is far whiter
• 19.010 and the moon shining through an open window.
• 19.011 The stars are in blossom, the moon is in flower,
• 19.014 Fall Moon! Dark be the land!
• 19.015 What time by the moon is this?
• 19.030 And under mountains in the moon.

I’m pretty certain that after this poem is complete I’m going to run to the Chapter 15 reprise so we can compare. Shall we?

• 1.076 The dragon-fire, in twisted wire
• 8.106 bobbing on a wire.
• 15.039 The dragon-fire, from twisted wire