I See Fire

"I See Fire" is a song written from the perspective of the dwarves in J.R.R. Tolkien's world, specifically at the climactic moment of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. The song's primary meaning revolves around themes of brotherhood, impending doom, loss, and defiance in the face of overwhelming destruction. It captures the complex emotions of the characters as they witness the reawakening of the dragon Smaug and the fiery destruction he unleashes upon their reclaimed home, the Lonely Mountain, and the nearby Lake-town. The lyrics articulate a sense of shared destiny—"If this is to end in fire, Then we should all burn together"—which underscores the dwarves' deep bond and their resolve to face their fate as one. The recurring line, "I see fire," is a literal observation of Smaug's attack but also a metaphor for the consequences of their quest and their greed, having "got too close to the flame." The song serves as a somber transition, guiding the audience from the fantasy world of Middle-earth back to reality, encapsulating the film's tense cliffhanger ending.

The song begins with a solemn appeal, almost a prayer, to the "misty eye of the mountain below." The narrator asks this spiritual entity of the mountain to watch over the souls of his brothers. He anticipates a sky filled with fire and smoke, a premonition of the coming destruction, and reiterates his plea for the mountain to protect "Durin's sons," the heirs of the dwarven kingdom. This opening establishes a tone of impending dread and a deep sense of camaraderie and responsibility.

The perspective then shifts to a declaration of unity in the face of annihilation. The narrator, adopting the voice of one of the dwarves, proclaims that if their fate is to end in fire, they will face it together. This isn't a surrender but a statement of solidarity. They will watch the flames climb into the night, a beautiful yet terrifying spectacle. There's a poignant call to a father figure, urging them to stand by and witness the flames burn an "auburn" hue on the mountainside. This imagery evokes both the beauty of the fire and the richness of the treasure and halls they are fighting for. The verse reinforces this idea with a toast, raising a glass of wine for the last time, a final communion before the end, again calling out to a father to prepare for their fate.

The chorus is a powerful and repetitive declaration: "Now I see fire." The vision is specific and devastating. The fire is seen "inside the mountain," signifying the corruption and danger that has taken root in their ancestral home. It's seen "burning the trees," showing the destruction spreading to the natural world around them. Most hauntingly, the fire is described as "hollowing souls" and creating "blood in the breeze." This moves beyond physical destruction to spiritual and emotional emptiness, a visceral image of life being consumed and carried away by the violent wind. Amid this apocalyptic vision, the narrator expresses a simple, human desire: "And I hope that you'll remember me."

The song delves into the cause of this catastrophe, acknowledging a degree of culpability. The narrator states that if his people fall, he will follow, confined as they were in their mountain halls where they "got too close to the flame." This line serves as a metaphor for their greed and ambition, which reawakened the ancient threat. The call to the father figure returns, this time urging him to "hold fast" as they watch the flames consume the mountain.

A final, climactic verse describes the tangible horror of the attack. As the night burns, the narrator will cover his eyes, not from fear of the light but because if the darkness returns, his brothers will die—a potential contradiction that highlights the disorienting terror of the moment. The sky itself seems to collapse onto the "lonely town" below, likely Laketown, which sits in the shadow of the mountain. With the dragon's shadow on the ground, the sound of people screaming out fills the air, a direct and harrowing consequence of the events inside the mountain. The song concludes with a final, echoing chorus, cementing the imagery of fire consuming the mountain, the trees, and the very souls of the people, leaving only a desperate hope for remembrance.

Ed Sheeran, a lifelong fan of Tolkien's work, was invited to write the closing credits song for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug by director Peter Jackson. The suggestion originally came from Jackson's daughter, Katie, who was a fan of Sheeran's music. Sheeran was flown to Wellington, New Zealand, where he was shown the film at an early screening. Jackson advised him to focus his writing on the final 10 minutes of the film to capture its emotional tone and lead the audience out of the experience. In an impressive feat of creativity, Sheeran wrote the song, performed all the instruments except the cello, and recorded most of the track on the very same day. He even learned to play the violin for the song, overdubbing the parts himself. The cello part was performed by Flight of the Conchords' touring cellist, Nigel Collins. The song was produced by Sheeran and mixed by Pete Cobbin of Abbey Road Studios. It was released digitally on November 5, 2013, and was also included on the deluxe edition of Sheeran's second album, x.

"I See Fire" employs a relatively simple and effective rhyme scheme that serves its narrative purpose. The verses often follow an ABCB or AABB structure, creating a folk-like, storytelling quality. For instance, in the first stanza, "below" (A) rhymes loosely with "smoke" (C) and "souls" (B) rhymes with "sons" (B, as a slant rhyme). This flexible rhyme scheme feels natural and unforced, prioritizing lyrical meaning over strict poetic structure.

The song's rhythm starts slowly and deliberately, with a gentle tempo that evokes a sense of foreboding. The rhythm is primarily driven by the acoustic guitar and Sheeran's percussive hits on the instrument's body, which function like a sparse kick drum. As the song progresses toward the chorus, the vocal layering and increased strumming intensity create a crescendo, mirroring the climbing flames described in the lyrics. The lyrical rhythm is conversational yet melodic, with phrases that flow naturally within the musical structure. This interplay between the calm, steady rhythm of the verses and the building intensity of the choruses effectively reflects the song's emotional journey from quiet dread to a powerful, shared experience of catastrophe.

Musically, "I See Fire" is a folk ballad that builds in intensity. It begins with a sparse arrangement featuring a gently strummed acoustic guitar (played with a capo on the 6th fret) and Sheeran's lead vocal. The song's structure relies heavily on layering; Sheeran overdubbed his own voice to create choir-like harmonies, giving the chorus a powerful, communal feel. He also played the violin himself, a testament to his versatile musicianship. The percussive sound in the track is created by Sheeran hitting his guitar, adding a raw, rhythmic pulse. The song is in the key of B♭ Minor. The production has been noted for its deep, rich low-end frequencies, giving the acoustic guitar a "chesty, deep kick" without sounding muddy. Lyrically, the song employs a strong narrative voice, told from the first-person perspective of a dwarf, likely Thorin Oakenshield. It uses vivid, sensory imagery ("blood in the breeze," "flames burn auburn") and direct address ("Calling out father") to create an intimate and emotionally charged atmosphere. The repetition of the titular phrase acts as a powerful refrain, emphasizing the central, inescapable theme of destruction.

"I See Fire" achieved significant cultural influence and commercial success upon its release. It was commissioned specifically for the end credits of the blockbuster film The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, immediately exposing it to a massive global audience. The song was a chart success worldwide, reaching number one in New Zealand (Sheeran's first #1 there), Sweden, and Norway, and peaking at number 13 on the UK Singles Chart. It received a nomination for Best Original Song at the Satellite Awards. According to Spotify, "I See Fire" was the most-streamed song from a soundtrack globally between 2013 and 2014. It also ranked high on Spotify's playlists for sleep and relaxation, indicating its haunting, calming melody resonated with listeners beyond the film's context. The song has been widely covered by other artists, with a notable remix by Norwegian DJ Kygo gaining massive popularity on SoundCloud and helping to launch his career. Within Sheeran's discography, it remains a fan favorite and a staple of his live performances, showcasing his ability to craft an emotionally resonant song that perfectly complements a major film narrative.

"I See Fire" is rich with symbolism and metaphors that tie directly into the narrative of The Hobbit.

• Fire: The most dominant symbol, fire represents Smaug the dragon, destruction, death, and the consequences of greed. Smaug himself declares, "I am fire. I am death." The fire is not just a physical threat but also a force that "hollows souls," symbolizing the spiritual and emotional devastation it causes, leaving victims empty and without purpose.
• The Mountain: The Lonely Mountain (Erebor) symbolizes home, heritage, and lost glory for the dwarves. The plea to the "misty eye of the mountain" can be interpreted as a prayer to a personified mountain itself or, more specifically, to the Arkenstone, the heart of the mountain, which was seen as a divine symbol of the dwarves' right to rule.
• Blood in the Breeze: This powerful image conveys the sheer violence and death caused by the dragon's attack. It suggests that the air itself is thick with the scent and presence of mortality, a visceral and grim metaphor for the widespread slaughter.
• Durin's Sons: This is a direct reference to the royal line of the dwarves, specifically Thorin Oakenshield and his nephews, Fíli and Kíli. It emphasizes the importance of their lineage and their role as leaders whose fate is intertwined with that of their people.
• Getting "too close to the flame": This metaphor points to the dwarves' own culpability in the disaster. Their greed for the treasure within the mountain and their single-minded ambition led them to awaken the dormant dragon, bringing about their potential doom.

The most significant recurring motif in the song is the lyrical phrase "I see fire." Its repetition in the chorus serves as the song's central anchor, a haunting and powerful declaration that encapsulates the entire narrative. Each repetition reinforces the inescapable reality of the destruction unfolding. The phrase is followed by a list of what the fire is consuming—"inside the mountain," "burning the trees," "hollowing souls," "blood in the breeze"—which builds a progressively more devastating image with each utterance.

Another recurring lyrical element is the act of "Calling out father." This phrase appears multiple times, each time with a different plea: "stand by," "prepare as we will," and "hold fast." This recurring call suggests a search for guidance, strength, or perhaps a final farewell to an ancestral figure, possibly Thorin's father or grandfather, grounding the epic conflict in a personal, familial context.

The musical motif of the gently picked acoustic guitar that opens the song reappears throughout, providing a consistent sonic texture that ties the piece together. The layered vocal harmonies are another key recurring musical element, transforming Sheeran's solo voice into a collective, dwarven chorus during the most emotionally resonant sections.