The Mines of Moria: The Places of Middle Earth

[@aaronlutes2126]

someone singing tolkien's poetry is apparently something i needed today

[@mattk9338]

She does such an amazing job at it doesn't she!?!?

[@EssencialUtilidades]

@@mattk9338 yes she does

[@davidioanhedges]

Jess sings wonderfully.... An elf sings a dwarven song... Gimili's legacy lives on...

[@stevemiller6923]

A new Jess video is always a good thing. A new video with Jess singing is a wonderful thing.

[@Oakleaf012]

Same I got those nice scalp tingles! I also get her rendition of Legolas’ song stuck in my head sometimes. We love singing Jess!

[@lordrichardpr]

Amazing voice ❤❤❤❤

[@RJLbwb]

I imagine the horror of it, pressing through the dark with only a flickering torch for light, and there before you is a silent figure in a black and white stripped shirt, white face paint; the Mimes of Moria!

[@EriktheRed2023]

They would do unspeakable things to you!

[@BrodieVickers-tk9sd]

Pure nightmare fuel😂

[@Jess_of_the_Shire]

why would you put this into my mind

[@sebastianevangelista4921]

*SLOW CLAP* Bravo!

[@sebastianevangelista4921]

@@Jess_of_the_Shire It's glorious!

[@StuartistStudio1964]

Jess, you sing with the voice of Tinuviel. Thank you for treating us yet again with your beautiful singing.

[@lesdeuxanes6203]

Jess' singing was excellent of the chant. But man what I wouldn't give to hear that sung by a deep voiced dwarf.

[@EriktheRed2023]

Search 'Tolkien Ensemble Song of Durin' for a professional bass singer's version.

[@Megthep3p]

There's also Clamavi De Profundis, they did the Song of Durin and a lot of other dwarf songs (even original ones)

[@mmarosmiscik]

Colinjohnrudd has my favourite tolkien song interpretations. Check him out.

[@uriustosh]

That can be arranged!

[@ponyote]

Wind Rose does a few very Dwarven songs, if I might recommend them. They really rock - pun intended - the Dwarf vibe.

[@Yobichnooot]

Yes another video!!!! I have almost none that i havent watched. And your voice is so soothing

[@sebastianevangelista4921]

Indeed! Her singing is also always a pleasant surprise.

[@Jess_of_the_Shire]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@sebastianevangelista4921]

@@Jess_of_the_Shire Thank you for posting!

[@AlbertMarasigan-ec1hj]

@@Jess_of_the_Shirehi Jess I love your beautiful singing and I think you’re very beautiful.

[@rikhuravidansker]

@@Jess_of_the_Shire For your Star Wars video, I think you should see if it is a good adaptation of the Legendarium.

[@StoriesThatSuck-pw1vi]

The scene in Fellowship in Moria where Gandalf risks a little light to see the chamber -- just before they discover Balin's tomb -- always chokes me up. That musical cue is so powerful and triggers complicated emotions in me. I have the same reaction to the moment in the book, too. Just so powerful. Great video, as always!

[@Nightguardian]

I must add my voice to the crowd in stating how impressed I am with the singing of Tolkien's dwarven poetry. The Professor no doubt is proud. The tentacled creature in the lake not only harkens to ancient legend, but reminds one of Lovecraft's work. Which makes me think that an episode on Lovecraft's work would be cool. That is, if I haven't missed it already. The flight from Balin's resting place, across the bridge, and out of the mines is one of my favorite, suspense-filled scenes from the legendarium. Can't wait to read it to my grandchildren, but it's still a challenge keeping their attention on The Hobbit. Alas, they are too young.

[@khartog01]

Gimlis reaction once in the mines and to his family and clan dying always gets me and then when he has to be held back cause he raging to go back in and kill everyorc.

[@TomMSTie1138]

Yesterday was my birthday, and I spent the evening eating Chinese food and watching 'Fellowship' in 4K! The Park Road Post 4K restoration is spectacular!

[@JoeKawano]

13:01 Suddenly the party is no longer facing the dangers of the dark, and of being lost... But as the torches and drums draw near... the dangers of the light...and being found! 🎉

[@krisdavis3888]

Beautiful voice and thoughtful video as always 😁

[@n.telson9220]

The world is grey, the mountains old. The forge's fire is ashen-cold. No harp is wrung, no hammer falls. The darkness dwells in Durin's halls. The shadow lies upon his tomb. In Moria, in Khazad-dûm. But still the sunken stars appear, in dark and windless Mirrormere. There lies his crown in water deep, till Durin wakes again from sleep.

[@Gilgwathir]

New Jess video? My day just became a happy hobbity day. Jess singing just makes it that much better.

[@ThatJohnStanley]

That song was awesome! Was thoroughly entranced. Thank you! Your voice is awesome

[@ericlauridsen5193]

Jess..Your voice and your singing is a balm for a troubled soul...I hope you record some Enya songs and Christmas carols.

[@JoeKawano]

Here, here!

[@Jess_of_the_Shire]

I'm so glad you enjoyed!

[@rikhuravidansker]

@@Jess_of_the_Shire I wouldn't say Moria was played for horror per se, but it is cerebral like "2001: A Space Odyssey," along with Mordor: both do invoke cosmic horror of the unknown, but Moria and Mordor would be technically weird fiction but not horror.

[@animistchannel]

Thank you for putting so darn much effort into each week's episode! It really matters, I can tell you. Your adaptation of the song of Durin's walk was marvellous. Your addressing of the various metaphors and evocations of the imagery of Moria was insightful. Sometimes, one can only be grateful for the artistry that another has made for our enjoyment, and such was this one for me. I am of a kind that greatly cherishes the experience of natural forms -- with all the joys and horrors that entails, and still we are not sure which is the better teacher, or the closer friend -- and you did justice to that ethic. In that place, even Gandalf was so tempted: (approx): "I'll risk a little more light." To see such splendor achieved was worth the chance of calling down the doom of ages, even death itself, and sometimes it is so even to this day. I have walked and swam among such wonders of Nature as to be willing stunned to torpor if it were not so immediately threatening; and yet such revelations have been worth the risk, and worth the price. As for the Watcher, I thought it was funny that Tolkien found a way to make the primordial Kraken, the base creature of the surrounding seas, to rear its head even in the midst of his most famous mountain range. He did have a way of working things in where he wanted them, eh? He may have been a bit self-indulgent in those moments, but he made them work, and he made them glorious... ...but then again, you have that same tendency to bring out the best in moments as you discover them as well. Thank you for being you :)

[@Jess_of_the_Shire]

You're so incredibly kind! Thank you so much for watching and commenting!

[@TheTableOfDurin]

Jess, the song of Durin is allready a great poem/song, but with your voice, it gives me the chills ❤ I can't wait to hear more poems through your voice

[@yeahnaaa292]

Jess, you sing beautifully !

[@maxrates]

This movie, and this section in particular captures the imagination. Moria created a new fandom for the Dwarves in fantasy. Dwarves in The Witcher, Dwarves in Dragon Age, and so many more, all can be traced back to this movie.

[@rikhuravidansker]

Weren't dwarfs like that since 1937's "The Hobbit?"

[@zayoBIM]

I was not expecting the singing. I am elated, that was wonderful.

[@kamukameh]

1:34 - Oh woman of the great stories, your singing brought tears of joy into my eyes, as beautiful and pure as Luthien! No joke, that's awesome!!! Die Götter mögen mir verzeihen, dass ich eure edle Sprache nicht in all ihrer Schönheit spreche, oh großartige Jess des Auenlandes, meine Gebieterin! Doch lauschte ich über die Jahre schon schier Tage an Stunden euren weisen Worten, weil mich eure tiefe Beschäftigung und Liebe mit den Mythen von Mittelerde schon lange betörte. Oh glorreiche Elben-Maid, ich bin betört von eurem Anmut und Glanz! If you want to know what that means, please use a translation program, I'm not able to translate that middle-age-style of German writing (which is used in the Tolkien-translations as well, and that's awesome!) into English. I think Tolkien made it so much harder to get through Moria in LotR than in The Hobbit was to make it different: Adult-Fiction and not the (awesome!) kids story he made before. Fitting!

[@ronaldmccomb8301]

Absolutely great job! Love your singing! Keep up your great work, Miss Jess.

[@flight007keith2]

As always, well done!

[@VolkerWendt-vq8pi]

I really was appreciating your vids the moment I found you. All well-made and thoroughly thought-through. This one though... Just wow. Way over your top so far. Incredibly good analysis and amazing narration. Thanks a lot

[@Jess_of_the_Shire]

Thank you so much!

[@RoboSteave]

Great as always!

[@genghisgalahad8465]

I so love and appreciate and deeply respect your singing of the songs to be sung as far too many in the largely fantasy booktube community actually proclaim they just skip over the songs! Songs that are stories in themselves that need not be sung by them but simply read! It's flabbergasting! And your fair maiden inn hearth rendition is much much needed and a breath of fresh air that enlivens and deepens the lore therein! You have my axe! 🪓 🌟⚒️

[@noided5599]

omg the singing is so beautiful , I nearly slept like a child

[@davidbarrass]

There's one thing you're not mentioning, and that's how brutal the mine warfare in the 1st world war was. Both sides would build tunnels under each other's trenches. The aim was to place huge amounts of explosives under the enemy lines. These were used on the first day of the Somme, JRRT would have been aware of them. Obviously, the enemy would want you to do this so, as you dug your mine, you'd stop and listen to the faint tap-tap of the enemy building their mine. If you detected a activity you'd dig a counter mine and aim to break into the opposing tunnels. There would then be a fight in the dark between the soldiers. This is nightmare fuel.

[@johnnypop-tart335]

You're videos are really fun and informative. Thank you for being the noise in the background while I paint minis

[@Jess_of_the_Shire]

It's a pleasure! Good luck with the painting!

[@goodintentionsmeditation7719]

I appreciate this video so much glad I stumbled upon it ,subscribed immediately!

[@mil_enrama]

A wonderful video as always Jess, you are insightful and creative and your attention to theme always makes these videos therapeutic. You kindle many hearts in a world that grows chill.

[@cynfaelalek-walker7003]

2:19 A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one.

[@bobsteele9581]

Another fascinating video Jess 👍

[@moritzmonska9912]

love you, jess. great work!

[@evanbruno9648]

While my only experiences of the world of Middle Earth come from movies and TV, you and NOTR have inspired me to read the books! I like that you also include a segment on the behind the scenes from the films. Fun fact, I work with a guy that did motion capture for the LOTR trilogy. He has told me some really cool stories about the production and it sounded like so much of the cast & crew were in love with making the stories come to life on screen!

[@Jess_of_the_Shire]

I'm so glad you're considering picking up the books! They're a blast. And one of my favorite things about the movies is that you can tell just how much love was packed into them.

[@sebastianevangelista4921]

@@Jess_of_the_Shire 100%! Too many modern blockbusters are cranked out despite the fact that studios can financially afford to take the time needed to make them right. The overabundance of CGI over practical effects in the MCU is a prime example because Disney can easily afford to do better but choose not to because they have a *content* quota. Not to mention that the quality of their CGI has gone done in recent years because a lot of digital artists reported that Marvel aren't a great company to work for, so the higher ups have had to settle for mediocre artists who are more willing to put up with questionable working conditions.

[@bowmaster626]

This is one of my favorite of your videos. Moria was always a beloved section of storytelling for me and I’m so happy to have learned more about it. I had no idea it was Hell before but now I’m wondering how I didn’t see it

[@Jess_of_the_Shire]

I'm so glad you enjoyed! It's not an exact allegory, but I think that hell/underworld comparisons can be very interesting.

[@bowmaster626]

@ I think they are. I’ve been running a D&D campaign loosely based on the idea of the LOTR sequel that never happened so I’ve been really enjoying content like yours, diving into the storytelling elements as well as the lore has been a big help for that. Plus it’s just nice to hear smart people talk about my interests. Even if the connections aren’t rock solid, I never considered them and now I have even more ways to use the story for my own means, and just deepen my enjoyment of the story. Thank you for doing what you do!

[@Limubi1]

Truly wonderful stuff, thank you! I would LOVE to see a collaboration, maybe just a chat, between you and Girl Next Gondor- I think that would be so incredible. Many thanks and much admiration from the UK

[@SinnerChrono]

Your shirt is super cool. The chains look great. Style and lore in one video hell yeah.

[@tomklock568]

Great analysis of this Jess. I too enjoy your singing in these. Thank you!

[@johnthomas2485]

I really enjoy your interpretations of Tolkien, and you have a lovely singing voice.

[@poteeto1735]

woah, this is a gem i have stumbled upon, subbing immidately

[@benconnolly9883]

Masterpiece 🙏 Nice work, Jess!

[@oneman9620]

The song, what a lovely surprise! You sing really well!

[@mps397]

I wasn't expecting the singing bit but wow! Magnificent

[@Elentirion]

aww yess, more Jess.

[@nnnnnnnn7951]

I love love love whenever you delve into art direction and production for this stuff. I would love to hear more for other stuff, like when you went in depth with vampires in October.

[@danisarmi30]

I remember walking into the salt cathedral in Colombia when I was a teenager. It is a cathedral built inside a salt cave. It has giant pillars, domed areas, maybe not as detailed in carving as an medieval european cathedral but it has that mix of awe, space, and the feeling of pressure of being inside a cave. Reading the scene in Moria reminded me of walking that place, except I had to imagne the feeling of walking it alone in darkness, rather than in the middle of the day with many others. That cathedral has to be the closest we have to what Khazad-dun would have been

[@poozizzle]

Another great video, with singing no less. Lovely to as well!

[@mehill00]

Your videos are consistently great!

[@glenndean6]

Amazing singing! Thanks for that!

[@dekuscrub6283]

You are by far my favorite lotr KZbin channel.

[@shashank6045]

In my recent job interview, while i was leaving instead of saying have a good day, I said have a hobbity day😭😭

[@EriktheRed2023]

If they hire you, you know you're among decent folk. 😄

[@obadijahparks]

This is how you make yourself standout....

[@Jess_of_the_Shire]

If you don't get the job because of that, I'll sue them

[@sebastianevangelista4921]

This is so wholesome!

[@sebastianevangelista4921]

@@Jess_of_the_Shire I salute this.

[@jmartense]

Another absolutel banger vid essay. 11/10 👍

[@Disgruntled_Grunt]

I really love your comparisons of Khazad-dum with cathedrals and their stonework with worship. I've never had a problem with the overly-elaborate architecture of Tolkien's dwarves--rule of cool alone would be enough to justify it--but it's still nice to be able to have a sense of logic to it.

[@RaffaelWindgassen]

The Moria Chapters are some of the best in the whole Trilogy. Another genius thing about it: The Book of Marzabul - The few Lines Gandalf is able to decipher tell of what happened to Balin and his party, but in a way they also for the Most Part mirror what happened to the fellowship… so in a way it also teils what will happen to them

[@f0rth3l0v30fchr15t]

Well, you see, a mummy Balrog and a daddy Balrog give each other a special hug, and...

[@GriefsFacade]

Thanks for the upload Jess. I hope you know how much your videos help me settle for bed.

[@EriktheRed2023]

Khazad-dûm is one of the few major relics left over from the Elder Days. The chant mentions Nargothrond and Gondolin, both swallowed by the sea in the sinking of Beleriand. Small wonder that Gimli wanted so badly to see it, and that poor Balin and his followers were drawn to attempt to resettle it.

[@ftacla01]

Was Beleriand a separate continent, so to speak, or was it a part of Middle-earth? I've always had this doubt.

[@EriktheRed2023]

@@ftacla01 It was part of the landmass you know. It lay to the west of the map from LotR.

[@rikhuravidansker]

It possible the ruins of the former are in the Blue Mountains: it would be the perfect place for Thorin to settle. The ruins of the latter were in a hilly region, so it is possible it is now a swamp.

[@bahbus]

Hi from Canada, love your dress. And of course your commentary.

[@kispankum]

Walking without light through your home already feels like being incredible vulnerable - multiply this by Moria and you feel the "darkness of Kazad-dum" kreeping into your heart like into Gimlis

[@jeffreyrussell4874]

Beautifully sung! We just need some dwarves chanting in low hums behind you. Let's start a band!

[@EriktheRed2023]

Gimli's chant in Moria was the first poem I learned by heart. I guess I was inspired by Sam who said he wanted to learn it. (And I guess he did.)

[@Jess_of_the_Shire]

It's a truly beautiful poem

[@RichardFay]

"It brings to mind Grendel's mother, or the Kraken..." or maybe Great Cthulhu, dreaming in Rlyeh ? The Watcher, Nameless Things, old and foul creatures dwelling deep under the earth; it all has a definite Lovecraftian vibe.

[@khd7271]

Nice hair! Super cute. Also you're a legend boss queen.

[@scottjackson1420]

Other than that little issue of Durin's Bane, it would have been cool to live in Moria at the height of its glory. Jess, you have a nice, clear voice. You could be a soloist in a church choir.

[@jermainerucker2027]

Lovely singing voice as always

[@MadDragon-lb7qg]

I visited Wookey Hole in Somerset, and one of it's caves, within the Axe Valley, gave me quite a Dwaraldelf feeling when I looked up to it's VERY high ceiling!

[@johnweigel9761]

Are there any wookies in that Wookey Hole?

[@spondulixtanstaafl7887]

You have a beautiful voice Jess.

[@Steelwolf171]

I've always loved the descriptions of Moria. Both claustrophobic and at the same time agoraphobic as you're aware that the Fellowship is deep underground but in massive dark caverns it's a wonderful way to set tension.

[@gerryccarroll281]

Beautiful singing!

[@PiraticalBob]

Well done for the references to the War Poets Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon. If you wish to see a fine film about their treatment at Craiglockhart Military Hospital for "shell-shock" (PTSD, in modern parlance) look for *Regeneration,* also called *Behind the Lines* in the USA. Jonathan Pryce turned in a career performance as Dr. William Rivers.

[@Jess_of_the_Shire]

I'll have to check that out! Thanks for the recommendation!

[@JackFrost008]

That is a nice singing voice you have there Jess.

[@Thraim.]

The sheer size of the great hall is really breathtaking.

[@JoeHanfman]

Jess has a beautiful voice!

[@tarmaque]

"Peter Jacksonisms." I've saved that for future use.

[@grokeffer6226]

It's been a while since the last time I re-read The Hobbit, but I seem to recall that in the book Dori was carrying Bilbo as the Dwarves fled from the Goblins when he fell and was knocked unconscious. When he woke up, he was alone and eventually found The Ring and then Gollum before making his escape. I might be mistaken. It's been a while. Great video, again, as always. 👍🧙‍♂

[@ChrisLoredo-ib2mb]

Beautiful voice.

[@fuferito]

*Gandalf:* "Let me risk a little more light. Behold... the great realm and Dwarf-city of Dwarrowdelf." *Sam:* _"Now there's an eye-opener, and no mistake."_

[@NagoreBM]

Getting this on my recommended right when I’m watching the fellowship going through Moria in the first movie was something else😭

[@Jess_of_the_Shire]

Let's pretend I planned it that way. Enjoy the rest of the movie!

[@sebastianevangelista4921]

@@Jess_of_the_Shire Oh the wonderful randomness of the universe!

[@claveworks]

LOTR has always had a great impact even among people who don't understand it at all. I would cite the song 'Misty Mountain Hop' by Led Zeppelin - there are references to Mordor and Gollum, but in the most unimaginable way lol - still love the song though despite it's 'wrongness'

[@robertdavison3638]

Wow Jess what a voice

[@Valdagast]

The balrog is essentially an Elder Thing, something out of a Lovecraftian nightmares. A thing from a forgotten age, released from its undersea tomb. No wonder Gandalf had to give his life to defeat it. This is why they should have brought Glorfindel - he was an experienced balrog-slayer.

[@Oakleaf012]

Well to be fair, Glorfindel did also die the first time too lol. Plus by that logic Gandalf is also an Elder Thing

[@SonofSethoitae]

Glorfindel probably would have gotten them killed faster. Not much of a stealth mission if one of your number is glowing at all times.

[@Oakleaf012]

@ iirc this is part of why they decided not to send him? Like, Gandalf, Glorfindel, and the heir of Isildur in one place is not subtle at ALL 😂 although I’m pretty sure Glorfindel is only shining like that on the spiritual plane and not literally in broad daylight (he just looks like that to Frodo because he’s turning into a wraith when he sees him)

[@Disgruntled_Grunt]

@@Oakleaf012 Yup. Although I think Glorfindel would be the _only_ of them to be all glowey in the unseen realm (visible by wraiths, Maiar, etc.) You'd think Gandalf would be a dead giveaway like that as well, but I think [speculation alert] that part of the Istari package is that he doesn't have that kind of presence in both worlds, which is how he was able to sneak into places like Dol Guldur without being noticed until he chose to reveal himself.

[@Oakleaf012]

@@Disgruntled_Grunt yeah I think Gandalf can probably conceal his power. And maybe Glorfindel can too, to a degree? That’s speculation too but I vaguely remember a line about Frodo having seen him “revealed” or something which may imply he can cloak that light too

[@markolukic7824]

I quite enjoyed your take on the Durin's song tune.

[@IsaacKuo]

Strangely, I "experienced" Moria outside of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings at first. It was the classic roguelike Moria, which I played without actually realizing it was based on anything. But it did give me a feeling of the epic scale of the Mines of Moria, and the feeling of exploring it while only seeing a small lit area around me ... dangerous creatures that could be around any corner.

[@tallsamjones1489]

Quite cozy

[@quddusgordon1545]

beautiful singing!

[@JoeKawano]

6:58, I remember memorizing Dulce et Decorum Est, and reciting it before high school.😂

[@spacemanspiff3052]

I have a fever and the only prescription for it is Jess singing Tolkien lore. Next please serenade us with Galadriel’s Song of Eldamar . . . pretty Please!!!

[@dookski]

You're really cool. I am socially interacting to support your channel. Books are neat.

[@dookski]

It's a little goofier but these Robin Hobb books might be another thing to talk about

[@williampalmer8052]

If there was one good thing Jackson did with his Hobbit treatment, it was his characterizations of (most of) the Dwarves. Meeting Oin, Ori, and Balin, while knowing what fate awaited them, made their demises all the more tragic. And also, I always enjoy hearing your lryical interpretations of Tolkien's writings, and it would be nice to have a collection with musical accompaniment to listen to. I know, that's a big project... but it might be something to consider one day.

[@paxwallace8324]

That lake held a nasty giant carnivorous octobeasty! Nice voice and pitch control babe.

[@def1ghi]

You have a great singing voice but not at all how I imagine Gimli!😂

[@jbaidley]

If you ever record an album of you singing, I will buy it!

[@obadijahparks]

Can you imagine moving throughout a trench, and after resting for a moment, you see in the puddle beside you, the head of a body?... not being able to tell if they were friend, or foe,... sticking out of the deep, just below the surface, the pain of the living still shaping the shell too cold to bloat, or spoil.

[@willemvandebeek]

I like that the stars reflected in Mirrormere in the art look almost exactly the same as the Corona Borealis (Northern Crown) constellation in real life. This constellation is going to temporarily get an extra star due to a supernova any time very soon, so please find and check it out regularly this winter if you have clear skies at night. :)

[@Jess_of_the_Shire]

Great catch!

[@PeculiarCrafts]

17:29 Alan Lee and John Howe haven’t quite merged yet into one person, Jess. Otherwise a wonderful video! ⚔️🧙‍♂️

[@francescganau7679]

Moria is a place I would love vvisit as a tourist. Duri’n’s bridge is a jaw-dropping thing worth visiting at least on. Even id it were real it would be too dangerous to let randos walk abo😊😊😊ut

[@_Brohan]

i would love a LOTR series just based in Rhûn or Harad and it's own independent story about dwarves.