One of my favorites, amongst many, by Ellen Kushner. Her show, Sound & Spirit is one of the best things happening on public radio, in my humble opinion. This episode was about the music inspired by Lord of the Rings, and the wonderful worlds created by J.R.R. Tolkien. It wraps up with an amazing song by Brooks Williams, from his 1992 album, Back To Mercy, featuring the song, All That Is Gold. I hope to learn to sing this song.

I record and listen to Ellen's shows while in my workshop, spraying masks, drilling bubble wand handles, etc. The work is loud, hot, and repetitive, so it helps to have good words flowing into my brain. Take an hour sometime and listen to this, you Tolkien fans out there. Very nice.

All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.