Shire

Probably the most well-known theme of the three films. It represents the Shire and home, of course, and occurs a great many times, whenever the Shire is mentioned or one of the hobbits talks of going home. It is often rendered in a folksy, slightly out-of-tune "pennywhistle" flute version. It is warm-hearted, comforting, inviting.

It is, in fact, a hymn. If you doubt this, Drew Trott points out that the Shire theme happens to bear a remarkable similarity to the Methodist hymn "This Is My Father's World" (aka "How Can We Name a Love"). The opening phrase is identical, and even the sentiments of the lyrics are along similar lines. While this doesn't mean Shore had that hymn in mind, or had ever even heard it, it does suggest that when he wrote the Shire theme he was thinking "hymn".

Occurrences:

	After the introduction about the origin of the Ring, the camera fades in on Bilbo's map.
	First sight of Frodo, reading under a tree.
	Frodo jumps into Gandalf's cart [flute version] .
	Gandalf's cart arrives at Bag End [flute].
	Bilbo answers the door for Gandalf at Bag End.
	Gandalf and Bilbo smoking on the hillside in the evening [flute].
	Bilbo's farewell to Gandalf.
	The hobbits leave the Green Dragon and say goodnight to Rosie.
	Gandalf to Frodo: "Hobbits really are the most amazing creatures".
	A hint of the theme sounds when Frodo awakens in Rivendell and is joined by Sam.
	Frodo spies Bilbo in Rivendell.
	Sam: "We got the Ring to Rivendell; we did what we set out to do."
	The other hobbits burst into the Council of Elrond. This is the first of many times the Shire theme is combined with the Fellowship theme.
	Bilbo: "I'm sorry for everything".
	The Fellowship sets out from Rivendell [sounded in solo horn].
	Frodo to Gandalf: "I wish the Ring had never come to me" [variant].
	Camped by the river, Sam accuses Frodo of not eating [followed by Fellowship].
	Frodo pulls Sam into the boat.
	Frodo and Sam enter the Emyn Muil [fragment].
	End of Fellowship, Frodo to Sam: "I'm glad you're with me, Sam" [flute].
	Sam's box of spices: "A little bit of home" [variant].
	"More lembas bread."
	Merry, after the Uruk-Hai "medicine", tells Pippin it was just an act [fragment].
	After the Ents refuse to help, Pippin: "We've still got the Shire".
	Sam, end of Two Towers and his long speech: "And it's worth fighting for".
	Sam wonders if they will ever be in tales [variant, combined with Expansive Shire].
	In the diamond-shaped cave at the start of Return, Sam reassures Frodo that they will get back to the Shire.
	Frodo sends Sam away on the stairway [a sad variant].
	On Mount Doom, Sam asks Frodo if he remembers the Shire, and Frodo says no. The music starts the Shire theme, then immediately veers off into other music: Frodo can't remember.
	As the rest of the Fellowship gathers around Frodo's bed, Sam appears [flute].
	King Elessar bows to the hobbits [a big, broad rendition of the theme].
	The hobbits arrive back at the Shire [flute].
	At the Grey Havens: "We set out to save the Shire, and we did".