The Fallen (Theoden Grives for his Son) Lyrics

Words by Philipa Boyens,
translated into Old English (Rohirric) by David Salo,
music by Howard Shore

Old English (Rohirric)

Hé laered hine rídan
And wealdan méce
And standan fæst
And féond ne forhtian.
Nú hé sceal leornian
Ðæt hearde sóð:
Hé raerede his cnapa
Of cilde tó menn
Ðæt hé his déað geséo.

Sé féond wæs simble mid heom.
Sé féond ne reccede ege.
'He taught him to ride,
To wield a sword.
To stand strong

And show his enemy no fear.
Now he must learn
The hard truth:
That he had brought his boy
From childhood.
So that he might face his death
Like a man.


The enemy was always with them.
The enemy did not care about fear.