Joy Shannon – In the Forest Singing Sorrowless

Joy Shannon is an Irish harpist and singer. Her ethereal vocals and music feature elements of Irish folklore. For In the Forest Singing Sorrowless, Joy Shannon blended her music with themes, lyrics, and the tales of J. R. R. Tolkien. The album was released October 31^st of 2025, by Fiadh Productions and Royal Tea. It is the perfect album for reflection, headphones, and relaxing by a winter fireplace or summer beach campfire. It is music which I have thoroughly enjoyed since I first heard it.

Joy Shannon plays the harp and sings most vocals; C.E. Brown, plays cello; and Syd Lewis, plays guitar and sings backing vocals.

Joy also has invited some wonderful female vocalists to make the entire album even that much more enchanting and special. She features vocalists, Leila Abdul Rauf, Ruth Tolkien (great granddaughter of J. R. R. Tolkien), Travelers Rest, and Maria Franz.

Joy Shannon’s PR release states, “In the Forest Singing Sorrowless, is inspired by author J.R.R. Tolkien’s poetry, with Shannon’s original music and singing accompanying Tolkien’s writings. Shannon decided to create this album while going through breast cancer treatments, (which is monumental in itself). Tolkien’s words were a constant inspiration for Shannon during this difficult time.

Joy Shannon has released a number of albums already, including: Mo Anam Cara, in 2015; Aes Sídhe, in 2017; The Cave, in2020 and An Chailleach, in 2024.

In the Forest Singing Sorrowless, the album title, originates from Tolkien’s poem “Beren and Lúthien,” which also happens to be the album’s opening song. ”The song is about the epic tale of Beren and Lúthien, a mortal man and an immortal elf. It opens with soft harp chords and mellow cello. The song features Leila Abdul-Rauf. It is a solemn, but warm, romantic instrumental.

“Grey Havens (Sorrowless Version),” is another complete salute to the words of J. R. R. Tolkien, (featuring Ruth Tolkien and Maria Franz). It opens with acoustic guitar and Joy’s delicate harp playing, along with the cello consoling. The vocalists sing, “Beyond the sun and moon, and on the sea. And by the strand there grew a golden tree. The golden leaves grew all these years. And on the sea now full of tears. Too long I have dwell on the other shore. In a fading crown twined with the golden Elanor. But what ship would now come to me, to bear me across so wide a sea?” The poetry and music are deep and emotional.

“Faramir (Sorrowless Version).” Faramir oversaw the defense of Gondor, while his older brother Boromir, was away, negotiating in Rivendell. He was specifically in charge of the defense of Osgiliath and the Ithilien region. He was known as the “Captain of the White Tower.” Joy Shannon sings this wonderful song for the son whose father never gave him credit for what he did, but rather sent him back out to be massacred. Luckily, he was saved and ended up marrying Éowyn, granting him the happy ending he deserved. Joy sings, “I say this to you. You are beautiful. There are no flowers more fair. And none so sorrowful. Walk with me a while. While the sun still shines. Before the day goes dark. Let our hearts be light. For I would not have the world end now. And lose so soon who I have found. The end of days used to be on my mind. But with you my limbs are light. You’re a joy not denied.” A warm harp and cello song full of inspiration for one of the most mistreated characters, by his own father, in the Lord of the Rings story.

“Finduilas (Sorrowless Version),” opens with soft harp and sad cello. Joy Shannon sings, “He said he loved you in his way. But it was not enough. You withered like a flower. That tried to grow on a barren rock. I was too young to show you how much I loved you, I never knew. It’s been half my life. And I still feel the absence of you. Finduilas you left a night. But the stars still shine their light. On my heart and mind. When it’s too dark. And it’s too much time. Without you.” A sad song about a story of love separated and destroyed by war.

“Song of the Rohirrim (Sorrowless Version),” echoes the famous words of Théoden, The King of Rohan and Lord of the Mark or of the Riddermark, Joy Shannon sings, while playing soft harp, “Where now the horse and the rider? Where is the horn that was blowing? Where is the helm and the hauberk. Where is the bright hair flowing? They have passed like the wind and rain in the meadow. These days go down in the West. Behind the hills into shadow. Where is the hand on the harp string. And the red fire glowing? Where is the spring and the harvest. And the tall corn growing. They have passed like the wind and rain in the meadow. These days go down in the West. Behind the hills into shadow. Who shall gather the smoke. Of the dead wood burning, Or behold the flowing years From the sea returning. They have passed like the wind and the rain in the meadow. These days go down in the West. Behind the hills into shadow.”

“Misty Mountains (featuring Traveler’s Rest),” is the closing album track. Joy sings, while playing soft harp, “Far over the Misty Mountains cold. To dungeons deep and caverns old. We must away, ere break of day. To seek our pale enchanted gold. The dwarves of yore made mighty spells. While hammers fell like ringing bells. In places deep, where dark things sleep. In hollow halls beneath the fells. For ancient king and elvish lord. There many a gleaming golden hoard. They shaped and wrought, and light they caught. To hide in gems on hilt of sword. Far over the Misty Mountains cold. To dungeons deep and caverns old. We must away, ere break of day. To claim our long-forgotten gold. Goblets they carved there for themselves. And harps of gold, where no man delves. There lay they long, and many a song. Was sung unheard by men or elves.”

The album was produced by Greg Chandler. A beautifully design gatefold cardboard CD, with artwork by Seán Fitzgerald and Kai Uwe Faust, photography by Ekaterina Gorbacheva. Lyrics by J. R. R. Tolkien, adapted by Joy Shannon, with music by Joy Shannon.

Joy Shannon’ s In the Forest Singing Sorrowless is a wonderful collection of some of the best moments of J. R. R. Tolkien’s tales and lyrics, set to the warm glow of harp, cello, and acoustic guitar. Every inch of this 6-song EP is worth your time and exploration. The experience is both enriching and satisfying and will help you relax and appreciate the stories of one of the earth’s greatest poets and writers. The sounds and lyrics will take you back to the wonderful movies brought to the big screen by Peter Jackson. The fact that Ruth Tolkien, the great granddaughter of J. R. R. Tolkien, wanted to participate in this EP, should be enough to pique your interest in the project. Please treat yourself to this wonderful composition of Joy Shannon, who has great respect and admiration for J. R. R. Tolkien.