The Road Goes Ever On by J.R.R. Tolkien (from The Hobbit & The Lord of the Rings)

The speaker reflects on the endless journey of life, comparing it to a road that goes on and on. They describe traveling through various landscapes, encountering both beauty and darkness. Despite the wanderings, they long for the comfort of home and familiar surroundings. The road continues, and they are determined to follow it, even if they don't know where it leads. However, they acknowledge that others may choose to embark on new journeys, while they seek rest and solace at an inn. Roads go ever, ever on, Over rock and under tree, By caves where never sun has shone, By streams that never find the sea, Over snow by winter sown, And through the merry flowers of June, Over grass and over stone, And under mountains in the moon. Roads go ever, ever on, Under cloud and under star, Yet feet that wandering have gone, Turn at last to home afar, Eyes that fire and sword have seen, And horror in the halls of stone, Look at last on meadows green, And trees and hills they long have known. The road goes ever on and on, Down from the door where it began, Now far ahead the road has gone, And I must follow, if I can, Pursuing it with eager feet, Until it joins some larger way, Where many paths and errands meet, And whither then I cannot say. The road goes ever on and on, Out from the door where it began, Now far ahead the road has gone, Let others follow it who can, Let them a journey new begin, But I at last, with weary feet, Will turn towards the lighted inn, My evening rest and sleep to meet.