I have read The Hobbit more times than I can count, but I can’t say I’ve ever set the Far Over the Misty Mountains Cold lyrics to music. Fortunately, Howard Shore (care of Peter Jackson) has done the job for me, with this fantastically moody rendition. Sure, it’s a bit shorter, but who cares.

There is a particular name given to this style of singing, beyond it being an acapella, but it’s name escapes me for the moment (edit: it’s gregorian chant!). All you need to know is that it is achingly beautiful, majestic and amazingly otherworldly, and quite a good fit for the elegance of the lyrics.

Misty Mountains by Howard Shore on Grooveshark