A winding road stretched
Out before the eager feet,
One man's fertile mind.
Elf and Dwarf passing
As one through cavern and wood,
Friends beyond the Sea.
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Tolkien Week Day Four
From The Return of the King, Book Five, Chapter One, "Minas Tirith".
"Yet in [Gandalf's] face [Pippin] saw at first only lines of care and sorrow; though as he looked more intently he perceived that under all there was a great joy; a fountain of mirth enough to set a kingdom laughing, were it to gush forth."
We have two audio clips today. The first is a recording of the Professor reading excerpts from the Lord of the Rings. He was recorded by George Sayer in 1952.
The second is today's musical selection, Lighting the Beacons, from Howard Shore's soundtrack to The Lord of the Rings : The Return of the King.
"Yet in [Gandalf's] face [Pippin] saw at first only lines of care and sorrow; though as he looked more intently he perceived that under all there was a great joy; a fountain of mirth enough to set a kingdom laughing, were it to gush forth."
We have two audio clips today. The first is a recording of the Professor reading excerpts from the Lord of the Rings. He was recorded by George Sayer in 1952.
The second is today's musical selection, Lighting the Beacons, from Howard Shore's soundtrack to The Lord of the Rings : The Return of the King.
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Tolkien Week Day Three
Our quote for today comes from The Two Towers, book three, chapter seven, "Helm's Deep".
"Behold the White Rider!" cried Aragorn. "Gandalf is come again!"
"Mithrandir, Mithrandir!" said Legolas, "This is wizardry indeed! Come! I would look on this forest, ere the spell changes."
The hosts of Isengard roared, swaying this way and that, turning from fear to fear. Again the horn sounded from the tower. Down through the breach of the Dike charged the king's company. Down from the hills leaped Erkenbrand, lord of Westfold. Down leaped Shadowfax, like a deer that runs surefooted in the mountains. The White Rider was upon them, and the terror of his coming filled the enemy with madness. The wild men fell on their faces before him. The Orcs reeled and screamed and cast aside both sword and spear. Like a black smoke driven by a mounting wind they fled. Wailing they passed under the waiting shadow of the trees; and from that shadow none ever came again.
Today's musical selection is Treebeard's Song, performed by Christopher Lee with The Tolkien Ensemble from the album At Dawn in Rivendell.
"Behold the White Rider!" cried Aragorn. "Gandalf is come again!"
"Mithrandir, Mithrandir!" said Legolas, "This is wizardry indeed! Come! I would look on this forest, ere the spell changes."
The hosts of Isengard roared, swaying this way and that, turning from fear to fear. Again the horn sounded from the tower. Down through the breach of the Dike charged the king's company. Down from the hills leaped Erkenbrand, lord of Westfold. Down leaped Shadowfax, like a deer that runs surefooted in the mountains. The White Rider was upon them, and the terror of his coming filled the enemy with madness. The wild men fell on their faces before him. The Orcs reeled and screamed and cast aside both sword and spear. Like a black smoke driven by a mounting wind they fled. Wailing they passed under the waiting shadow of the trees; and from that shadow none ever came again.
Today's musical selection is Treebeard's Song, performed by Christopher Lee with The Tolkien Ensemble from the album At Dawn in Rivendell.
Monday, September 19, 2016
Tolkien Week Day Two
Today's quote is from The Fellowship of the Ring, Book Two, Chapter Seven, The Mirror of Galadriel.
"Dark is the water of Kheled-zaram, and cold are the springs of Kibil-nala, and fair were the many pillared halls of Khazad-dum in Elder Days before the fall of mighty kings beneath the stone." She looked upon Gimli, who sat glowering and sad, and she smiled. And the Dwarf, hearing the names given in his own ancient tongue, looked up and met her eyes; and it seemed to him that he looked suddenly into the heart of an enemy and saw there love and understanding. Wonder came into his face, and then he smiled in answer.
He rose clumsily and bowed in dwarf-fashion, saying, "Yet more fair is the living land of Lorien, and the Lady Galadriel is above all the jewels that lie beneath the earth."
Today's musical clip is the Song of the Eldar in Exile, from the album Starlit Jewel, by Broceliande.
"Dark is the water of Kheled-zaram, and cold are the springs of Kibil-nala, and fair were the many pillared halls of Khazad-dum in Elder Days before the fall of mighty kings beneath the stone." She looked upon Gimli, who sat glowering and sad, and she smiled. And the Dwarf, hearing the names given in his own ancient tongue, looked up and met her eyes; and it seemed to him that he looked suddenly into the heart of an enemy and saw there love and understanding. Wonder came into his face, and then he smiled in answer.
He rose clumsily and bowed in dwarf-fashion, saying, "Yet more fair is the living land of Lorien, and the Lady Galadriel is above all the jewels that lie beneath the earth."
Today's musical clip is the Song of the Eldar in Exile, from the album Starlit Jewel, by Broceliande.
Sunday, September 18, 2016
Tolkien Week Day One
Yesterday I learned that today marks the beginning of Tolkien Week. I thought in honor of the week I would post a favorite quote from one of the Professor's books and a piece of Tolkien related music each day of the week. If the idea of "spoiler" can be properly said to apply to works that have been in publication for more than a few decades, and if you are concerned they might give away important plot points that you have not yet encountered, don't read the quotes and just enjoy the linked musical selections.
Today's quote comes from The Hobbit, chapter 18, The Return Journey.
Bilbo knelt on one knee filled with sorrow. "Farewell, King under the Mountain!" he said. "This is a bitter adventure, if it must end so; and not a mountain of gold can amend it. Yet I am glad that I have shared in your perils--that has been more than any Baggins deserves."
"No!" said Thorin. "There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly West. Some courage and some wisdom, blended in measure. If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world. But sad or merry, I must leave it now. Farewell!!"
For music I link this version of Far Over the Misty Mountains Cold, performed by Peter Hollins.
Today's quote comes from The Hobbit, chapter 18, The Return Journey.
Bilbo knelt on one knee filled with sorrow. "Farewell, King under the Mountain!" he said. "This is a bitter adventure, if it must end so; and not a mountain of gold can amend it. Yet I am glad that I have shared in your perils--that has been more than any Baggins deserves."
"No!" said Thorin. "There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly West. Some courage and some wisdom, blended in measure. If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world. But sad or merry, I must leave it now. Farewell!!"
For music I link this version of Far Over the Misty Mountains Cold, performed by Peter Hollins.
Friday, September 16, 2016
Wednesday Haiku Can Even Happen on Friday
This is based on an observation and suggestion by Donna Stevenson:
La Nina forebodes
A long, cold, snowy winter?!?
Boys, get yer shovels!
La Nina forebodes
A long, cold, snowy winter?!?
Boys, get yer shovels!
Thursday, September 08, 2016
Wednesday Haiku - Thursday Edition
Alack! Another week wherein I forgot to post after a Wednesday night meeting. Moreover, I wrote this one about a month ago. I doesn't describe yesterday's rainy afternoon at all. On the other hand, it is a haiku posted in the middle of the week.
Rasping vibrates
Late afternoon oak shade.
Cicada praise band.
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