Tolkien's Songwriter Side
 

I have a question- is JRR Tolkien considered a songwriter? I mean, his books are chuck-full of songs, but that was not his proffesion. (nor was bieng a writer, but there you have it!) I just wanted to know your opinions on this subject.

I meant profession! hehe

I think he would be considered a writer and a poet, but he only wrote the lyrics to the songs. I don't think he ever wrote the music, so I'm not certain.

A lyrist. He wrote lyrics, poems that are similar to lyrics of a song. *takes a bow*

I have a songbook called "The Road Goes ever on" in which Tolkien's lyrics are put to music by Donald Swann (of Flanders & Swann fame). I'm not sure if it's a collaborative efort or one undertaken by Donald Swann on his own. Don't have time to check now, but I'll try to dig it out and furnish more details in the next few days. Hope you can wait that long.

poet yes, songwriter only if you can be a songwriter without writing music. Tolkien had no interest in music, so many of his longer works are probably meant to be read epicly in Beowulff style, which was one of his favorite works. If Tolkien had no interest in music, then I don't see why he should have created tunes to any poem/lyrics he wrote. Nowhere have I found anything that indicates that either. But well written poetry in a regular rhyme and rhythm is easily put to music, I've done it myself once