The man in the wood had a silver sword His coat was of green and gray Without a sound he walked the ground He’d come a weary way Alas the night was falling When up ahead a-calling Rose such a frightful bawling He ne’er had heard before A Halfling lad was camping near To fish from the streams of the glade He heard the screech and leapt to reach His trusty hunting blade Alas the night was falling When up ahead a-calling Rose such a frightful bawling He ne’er had heard before The man dashed into the Hobbit camp The Hobbit clutched his knife He saw the silver sword now drawn, Felt threatened for his life Alas the night was falling When up ahead a-calling Rose such a frightful bawling He ne’er had heard before This little lad had naught to fear From the man with the silver sword Who pushed him back and proudly stood Like an ancient warrior lord Alas the night was falling When up ahead a-calling Rose such a frightful bawling He ne’er had heard before As darkness fell the sound came close And crashing through the trees A hooded thing with a golden ring That’d make your blood to freeze Alas the night was falling When up ahead a-calling Rose such a frightful bawling He ne’er had heard before The man in the wood, though fear he felt Did wield his sword while singing Of ancient days and mighty ways His sword with death was stinging Alas the night was falling When up ahead a-calling Rose such a frightful bawling He ne’er had heard before The man in the wood, his battle done Then turned and spoke to the boy “Back to Bree; away with thee! And live to know of joy!” Alas the night was falling And now with dinner a-calling The Halfling turned to wave farewell But the man in the wood was gone