The Ainulindalë
The Music of the Ainur
As told in the elder days, in the tongue of lore and song
In the beginning was Eru, the One, who in the tongue of the Elves is named Ilúvatar. And Ilúvatar made first the Ainur, the Holy Ones, that were the offspring of his thought, and they were with him before aught else was made.
And Ilúvatar spoke to them, giving them themes of music, and they sang before him. And he was glad. Yet long they sang only each alone, or but few together, while the rest hearkened; for each comprehended only that part of the mind of Ilúvatar from which he came. But as they listened, they came to deeper understanding, and their harmony increased.
And it came to pass that Ilúvatar called together all the Ainur and declared to them a mighty theme, unfolding to them things greater and more wonderful than he had yet revealed. And he bade them make in harmony together a Great Music. Then the voices of the Ainur, like unto harps and lutes, and pipes and trumpets, and viols and organs, and like unto countless choirs singing with words, began to fashion the Theme of Ilúvatar to a great music.
And a sound arose of endless interchanging melodies woven in harmony that passed beyond hearing into the depths and into the heights, and the places of the dwelling of Ilúvatar were filled with sound. And the music and the echo of the music went out into the Void, and it was not void.
But as the theme progressed, it came into the heart of Melkor to interweave matters of his own imagining that were not in accord with the theme of Ilúvatar; for he sought therein to increase the power and glory of the part assigned to himself. And straightway discord arose about him, and many that sang nigh him grew despondent, and their thought was disturbed and their music faltered.
But Ilúvatar arose, and a new theme began amidst the storm, and it gathered new power and new beauty. But Melkor’s discord grew more loud until it seemed that two musics were clashing in endless contention before the seat of Ilúvatar.
Then again Ilúvatar arose, and his face was terrible to behold. And he raised up both hands, and a third theme began, in which there was a greater majesty than the others. Yet it seemed at first soft and sweet, a mere rippling of gentle sounds in delicate melodies, but it could not be quenched. And it took to itself power and profundity. And the music, rising and falling, warred with the discord, until the halls of Ilúvatar shook with its sound.
Then Ilúvatar ceased, and all the Ainur were silent. And he spoke to them:
“And thou, Melkor, shalt see that no theme may be played that hath not its uttermost source in me, nor can any alter the music in my despite. For he that attempteth this shall prove but mine instrument in the devising of things more wonderful, which he himself hath not imagined.”
Then Ilúvatar showed the Ainur a Vision, and they saw a new World made visible before them, and it was globed amid the Void. And in that Vision they beheld many things: lands and seas, mountains and rivers, the rising of the sun and the moon, and the Children of Ilúvatar who would one day dwell therein—Elves and Men, the Firstborn and the Followers.
And some of the Ainur, as they watched the unfolding of this world, became enamoured of its beauty and the Children that would come. And they desired to enter into the world and shape it. Then Ilúvatar gave Being to the vision, and said:
“Eä! Let these things Be!”
And the world that is was made—Eä, the World that Is.
And those of the Ainur who entered into the world at the beginning were called the Valar, the Powers of the World. They came into Eä to order it, to shape its mountains and seas, to tend the stars and forests, to bring forth life and harmony. Among them were Manwë, lord of air and wind; Varda, lady of the stars; Ulmo, master of waters; Aulë, the smith and shaper; and Yavanna, who brings forth growing things.
But Melkor also entered the world, seeking to bend it to his own will. And though he was mighty, he was not Ilúvatar, and his efforts brought discord, fire, and ruin. And so the struggle of light and shadow began, for even from the foundation of the world, the music of the Ainur had within it both sorrow and glory.
Yet even Melkor’s discord served the purpose of Ilúvatar, for nothing can befall that does not in the end serve the great Music.
Thus began the Days of the World, and the shaping of Arda, the Earth. And from the Music of the Ainur came all things: the stars in their courses, the deep roots of mountains, the whispering of leaves, the light of the Two Trees, and the fates of Elves and Men.
And in the deep heart of all things sings still the echo of that Music, for the world is not yet complete.
Library of Light Edition 1.0 — Last revised: April 2026