Middle Earth Ranger Forum

And the hosts of Mordor wailed, and terror took them, and they fled, and died, and the hoofs of wrath rode over them. And then all the host of Rohan burst into song, and they sang as they slew, for the joy of battle was on them, and the sound of their singing that was fair and terrible came even to the City.

I have often pondered this small passage and wondered what and how exactly the Rohirrim sang in battle before the walls of Gondor. Fortunately in a small excerpt from the new Battle of Maldon translation and it’s sister piece The homecoming of Beorhtnoth Christopher Tolkien reveals that his father had at some stage written down some tentative lyrics but they had missed the final edit.
The lyrics seem oddly familiar though perhaps that is just due to my own study of Anglo Saxon poetry. Regardless there can be no doubt that it would make a rousing song and one likely to be appropriated by other (less talented in the arts) races.


Riders of the Mark rejoice!
Swing, swing, swing with me
Draw your swords and raise your voice!
Sing, sing, sing with me
Down we charge into the fray
Who knows if we'll win the day?
Trolls and goblins, Orcs, and more
Hosts of foes ten thousand score

We fear no dark, Gondor calls and so we come
Sons of the Mark, charging with the rising sun
Shields in our hands, swords at our side
No rest until the city’s free
Come on brothers, ride with me!
I'm on a horse and I'm killing some orcs
Killing, killing Orcs, Killing, killing Orcs
I'm on a horse and I'm killing some orcs
Killing, killing Orcs, Killing, killing Orcs

We ride to strike a mighty blow
Before the gates, upon the plain
See the foeman? Lay him low!
Arrows fill the sky like rain
So draw your sword and spur your steed!
Rohan rides to Gondor's need!
A harvest grim of heads we reap
Sons of Eorl our oaths we keep!
Hooves churn the ground, warhorns ring out in the gloom
Servants of the eye; the Pelennor shall be your tomb
Face us on the battlefield; you will meet your doom
So hear your death and hear us sing
Forward now for Theoden king

I'm on a horse and I'm killing some orcs
Killing, killing Orcs, Killing, killing Orcs
I'm on a horse and I'm killing some orcs
Killing, killing Orcs, Killing, killing Orcs
I'm on a horse and I'm killing some orcs
Killing, killing Orcs, Killing, killing Orcs
I'm on a horse and I'm killing some orcs
Killing, killing Orcs, Killing, killing Orcs

We fear no dark, Gondor calls and so we come
Sons of the Mark, charging with the rising sun
Shields in our hands, swords at our side
No rest until the cities free
Come on brothers, ride with me!
I'm on a horse and I'm killing some orcs
Killing, killing Orcs, Killing, killing Orcs
I'm on a horse and I'm killing some orcs
Killing, killing Orcs, Killing, killing Orcs
I'm on a horse and I'm killing some orcs
Killing, killing Orcs, Killing, killing Orcs
I'm on a horse and I'm killing some orcs
Killing, killing Orcs, Killing, killing Orcs….

Love this! I've always pricked up at that line when reading, too.

That being said...I'm now hearing "I'm on a horse and I'm killing some orcs" loosely to the tune of "Diggy diggy hole."

ME TOO.

I think Eofor is pulling our leg.


(....or the Professor was far sighted indeed!)

I’m suspicious…

and me, I thought this before I read the comments

Eofor wrote: ↑Wed Mar 22, 2023 6:36 am I'm on a horse and I'm killing some orcs
Killing, killing Orcs, Killing, killing Orcs
I'm on a horse and I'm killing some orcs
Killing, killing Orcs, Killing, killing Orcs

I am a dwarf and I'm digging a hole
Diggy, diggy hole, diggy, diggy hole
I am a dwarf and I'm digging a hole
Diggy, diggy hole, digging a hole

...hmmm... the similarities' are, uncanny???

Ahem... well yes....

As I am off on an adventure next week I may have concocted some early April tomfoolery. I hope it at least bought a smile.

Though I can confirm that at least one Ranger (after only a brief scan of the lyrics) was fooled for longer than they should have been.

Eofor wrote: ↑Sun Mar 26, 2023 2:34 am Ahem... well yes....

As I am off on an adventure next week I may have concocted some early April tomfoolery. I hope it at least bought a smile.

Though I can confirm that at least one Ranger (after only a brief scan of the lyrics) was fooled for longer than they should have been.

It certainly did bring a smile, I think we should make it canon LOL

Love me some early April tomfoolery

Eofor, that song is seriously metal.