Source (with notes and explanation):
https://ryon.pageride.com/eng/my-creation/tolkien-fanfiction/song-for-elbereth/
(my original website)
Song for Elbereth
Middle-earth is full of beauty
Quendi folk sing tenderly
intertwining polyphonies
campfires, cosiness and glee.
They praise also stars of Valar:
Nénar, Carnil - flower of red
put a bit of herself inside,
chased away the darkness aside
lovely Varda, Elbereth!
Agile shadows in the dark night
in the thickets flickered,
elves didn’t have no time to fight
in the darkness kidnapped.
Carried on unhuman strong limbs
So fast, covered with cold sweat
through moss under tree canopies,
over high hills, through dark gorges,
will you help them, Elbereth?
Huge black gate yawned into the night
to underground, into naught,
welcome here, oh, creatures of light,
here’s your new home - Utumno!
You will all become my servants
in my dark mines crawl to death
never sweetly singing again
obey, cower, taking the pain
despite of that Elbereth!
With me you’ll live the worst horror,
taste my torment more than near
just those who know wrath of Melkor,
experience what is fear.
Flame is blazing, burning, fiery
More than anyone can stand
is our fate sealed, Elentari?
Don’t let us die, save us, hurry,
help us, mighty Elbereth!
Dug underground like some earthworms
in the darkness, in black lair
without food, imprisoned for months
helplesness, filth and despair.
You were beautiful, my lovely,
starshine eyes, cheeks blushing red,
where´s the graceful curve of body,
and your hair, silky and wavy,
where are they, oh, Elbereth!
Earlier like spring walnut-tree leaves
golden-copper, you could see
now just shadow of northern clouds,
so they have changed terribly.
Driven mad by vexing hunger,
better kill than starve to death.
Don't murder your beloved brother,
don't take raw flesh as new fodder,
advices them Elbereth.
Gilthoniel gently whispers:
resist, don't fall in the trap,
despite effort, vain are the words,
almost every elf gave up.
Instead of love, rancor budded
like an ulcer on forehead
cruelty, malice and hatred…
Goodness? Now they don't know of it...
Will you forgive, Elbereth?
Dreadful Melkor's plans are outlined
dominate their souls he wants.
But one secret corner of mind
cannot be revealed by force.
Although they're now thralls of evil
and by dark lord conquered,
one of them is remembering,
one knows who has tought them to sing,
Lady of stars, Elbereth!
Backbone bended, always cower,
tasting painful, fiery whip
but all the time he thinks of her
whose lovely name blisses lip.
With her he is never alone
quiet word suppresses dread,
most lovely name, like a gemstone,
most silently whispered tone
Elbereth! Just Elbereth!
Some of them too remember it,
not having lost all their mind,
deep inside their eyes are star-lit
pinch of courage there to find.
But the others became nameless,
obey master until death,
spoiled orcs - nasty, cruel, shameless,
elvish habits no more possess,
Mock to gracious Elbereth!
Neither Morgoth, neither captives
do not foresee Valar raid,
until stomping of vast armies
rumble in underground shade.
Protect your lord, orcs and balrogs,
you will fight this feeble threat,
Valar will taste weapons of yours,
grab them, sharp them and charge towards
Oromë and Elbereth!
Morgoth's monsters starting to yell
Valar charging, all to smite.
Oh, Elbereth Gilthoniel,
it was long and cruel fight.
Shedding dark blood was so immense
Many orcs have found their death
lethal is now their appearance
alas there is no more defense
for children of Elbereth!
Band of faithful smartly hidden
Deep down in a concealed cave
Black lord captured, shackled, taken...
Are we free now? Are we safe?
So has ended supremacy
They have won a risky bet
Thankful to their star legacy
cheering, bathing in ecstasy
in the shine of Elbereth!
North doesn't know only goblins
Strange creatures dwell for themselves
Vengeful, dour, silent grey skins
Neither orcs, also nor elves.
Legends tell us naught, to admit
there is little, only thread:
Dark beasts hunted by them, throats slit
Eldar, Naugrim don't know a bit
maybe only Elbereth!
Middle-earth is full of beauty
sings their raspy, shadow voice
trying a rough polyphony
campfires, cosiness, rejoice.
They are watched by stars of Valar
So lovely that make tears shed,
put a bit of herself inside,
chased away the darkness aside
lovely Varda, Elbereth!
