horncall of buckland - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

alman · 09-02-2010, 08:57 AM

long time lurker, first time poster. As I was re reading my red book of westmarch, I came across something I found interesting, and could find no answer here on the Downs.
When the horn call of Buckland is sounded, it is "fear, fire, foes, awake, awake"
Is this literal? is it a magic horn that speaks? a prerecorded message, if you will? Or is it to be interpreted as a horn sound that all hobbits know, and are trained to recognize as MEANING fear fire foes? (remember, the horn had not sounded in living memory, durring the invasion in the fell winter)

Inziladun · 09-02-2010, 09:06 AM

Welcome, alman!

Your latter explanation is the answer. "Fear, Fire, Foes" was simply the meaning the call had for the Hobbits.

And even though the "official" call had not been heard since the Fell Winter, I would guess there was still some means of practicing, and letting people know what to listen for.

skip spence · 09-02-2010, 09:30 AM

But in that case, isn't it probable that most Hobbits, hearing the call, would just go: "oh dear, not another fire drill... And today when I'm so busy. I'm so not going to interrupt my work for this!"

Inziladun · 09-02-2010, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skip spence

But in that case, isn't it probable that most Hobbits, hearing the call, would just go: "oh dear, not another fire drill... And today when I'm so busy. I'm so not going to interrupt my work for this!"

Well, maybe it coming in the early hours of the morning was a tipoff. And Hobbits living so near the Old Forest might be disposed to take it more seriously than someone from Hobbiton or Bywater.

alman · 09-02-2010, 12:29 PM

then why not in this instance just send out the sound for "FOES! FOES! FOES! Awake!!Awake!" ??
I am more inclined to believe it was actually a magical talking alarm (like the trolls wallet!)

Rumil · 09-02-2010, 12:54 PM

Hi Alman,

Welcome to the Downs!

My interpretation is that the horn call tune rhymes with the words 'fear! fire! foes! awake! awake!'

So something like 'Bwa, Ba, Baa, Bawa, Bawa' - guess you can tell I'm no musician huh!

I agree that its not 100% clear either way though.

09-02-2010, 08:57 AM	#1
alman Newly Deceased Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 10	horncall of buckland long time lurker, first time poster. As I was re reading my red book of westmarch, I came across something I found interesting, and could find no answer here on the Downs. When the horn call of Buckland is sounded, it is "fear, fire, foes, awake, awake" Is this literal? is it a magic horn that speaks? a prerecorded message, if you will? Or is it to be interpreted as a horn sound that all hobbits know, and are trained to recognize as MEANING fear fire foes? (remember, the horn had not sounded in living memory, durring the invasion in the fell winter)

09-02-2010, 09:06 AM	#2
Inziladun Gruesome Spectre Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Heaven's doorstep Posts: 8,039	Welcome, alman! Your latter explanation is the answer. "Fear, Fire, Foes" was simply the meaning the call had for the Hobbits. And even though the "official" call had not been heard since the Fell Winter, I would guess there was still some means of practicing, and letting people know what to listen for. __________________ Music alone proves the existence of God.

09-02-2010, 09:30 AM	#3
skip spence shadow of a doubt Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Back on the streets Posts: 1,125	But in that case, isn't it probable that most Hobbits, hearing the call, would just go: "oh dear, not another fire drill... And today when I'm so busy. I'm so not going to interrupt my work for this!" __________________ "You can always come back, but you can't come back all the way" ~ Bob Dylan

09-02-2010, 12:54 PM	#6
Rumil Sage & Onions Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Britain Posts: 894	Horn Hi Alman, Welcome to the Downs! My interpretation is that the horn call tune rhymes with the words 'fear! fire! foes! awake! awake!' So something like 'Bwa, Ba, Baa, Bawa, Bawa' - guess you can tell I'm no musician huh! I agree that its not 100% clear either way though. __________________ Rumil of Coedhirion

09-02-2010, 12:29 PM	#5
alman Newly Deceased Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 10	then why not in this instance just send out the sound for "FOES! FOES! FOES! Awake!!Awake!" ?? I am more inclined to believe it was actually a magical talking alarm (like the trolls wallet!)