This is a strict fugue in four voices for most of its length, the only licences being in bar 157, which is in five voices, and the coda, which has multiple voices in bars 185-188 and bars 191 to the end.

The fugue subject is taken from the introduction to the Tolkien Song ’Bilbo’s Song in ’’The Hobbit’’, the vocal score of which can be found here: http://www.scoreexchange.com/scores/95454.html

The fugue subject tends to be varied throughout rather than re-stated unchanged, an exception being in the coda (bars 177-185), where it appears in augmentation in the bass with only minor changes.

The piece last for just under 8 minutes, and there is a change of tempo at about half way through.

’Charles McCreerys beautifully melodic, intricately textured compositions are infused with classical, romantic and folk idioms.’ Samantha Gillogly, violinist

The sheet music of the complete set of Fourteen Tolkien Songs for Childrens Voices is available from the online music retailers, tutti, at:http://www.tutti.co.uk/sheet-music/tolkien-songs-STMAM-JRRT1-M1 or from Amazon here: http://www.amazon.com/Fourteen-Tolkien-Songs-Childrens-Voices/dp/1492187534

’For those who only know Tolkien via the recent blood-and-thunder films, this song-cycle by Charles McCreery will give a very different angle on the classic saga. Here we find a gentle and ethereal world, where rhythms lilt and words echo. The twelve songs, suitable for choir, evoke a dreamy, water-colour landscape with no harsh sounds, the tunes are singable and in a traditional style that Tolkien would surely have approved…Bilbo’s Song has bold modulations and is just right for the words.’ - Dr Julia Gasper, LGSM