Bilbo and his friends set out

Sung to the tune 'Good King Wenceslas'

Bilbo and his friends set out
Mirkwood gladly leaving;
Travelled for a month about,
Their way homeward weaving.
Brightly shone the moon one night,
‘twas the eve of Yule.
Bilbo disappeared from sight
Gath’ring winter fuel.

“Hither, Beorn, stand by me,
If thou know’st it, telling
Yonder hobbit, where is he?
Is he trees a-felling?”
“Gandalf, he has vanished hence
(Wizardry discounting).
Has he lost his hobbit-sense
Since the Lonely Mountain?”

“Bring your staff and I’ll bring mine
To the forest thither!
Foolish Bilbo shall we find
And we’ll bring him hither!”
Beorn and Gandalf, forth they went,
Forth they went together.
Fruitless hours in search they spent
In the bitter weather.

Then came faint cries: “Help me now!
You are both much stronger!
I am caught, I know not how,
I can shout no longer!”
Right into a a trapper’s cage
Bilbo had trod boldly!
Rescuers forgot their rage,
Bilbo shivered coldly.

Weary back to camp they trod,
Soon the firelight glinted.
Safe and warm, began to nod;
“Rest now!” Gandalf hinted,
“You are none the worse for your
Episode distressing.
We‘ll keep watch o‘er you for sure -
And we’ll count our blessings!”

~Marbretherese