Man behind the Mythology - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Estelyn Telcontar · 05-19-2004, 11:20 AM

At JRR and Edith Tolkien's Golden Wedding Anniversary, a special musical performance was one of the highlights. What was sung and by whom?

Child of the 7th Age · 05-19-2004, 12:24 PM

I believe that would be a performance of Tolkien's song cycle The Road Goes Ever On. The composer Donald Swann was at the piano and a gentleman appropiately named William Elvin sang the songs.

That took place in 1966 at Merton College.

Estelyn Telcontar · 05-19-2004, 12:25 PM

That's right, Child - and a-one, a-two... - take it away!

Child of the 7th Age · 05-19-2004, 12:31 PM

That was fast! Let's see....

What was the only clear memory of his father that JRRT retained?

Bêthberry · 05-21-2004, 06:23 PM

If I am correct, Child, it is a poignant memory of departure, loss, of the way words substitute for real experience.

Tolkien's mother undertook a journey, when her eldest son was about three or four, to England, for the sake of his health. Tolkien remembered seeing his father paint his name on the lid of a trunk as preparation for that journey.

Child of the 7th Age · 05-21-2004, 06:50 PM

Mistress Bethberry,

Just so! The floor is yours.

~Child

Bêthberry · 05-22-2004, 04:10 PM

Thank you, Mother Cami.

Well, here's a topic less literary and more pecuniary, although perhaps a bit obscure. Still, I think, it tells us something about the man.

Tolkien refused his University pension. Why, or, what did he do instead?
*dances off on that floor... in the best imitation of Tom*

05-19-2004, 11:20 AM	#1
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	At JRR and Edith Tolkien's Golden Wedding Anniversary, a special musical performance was one of the highlights. What was sung and by whom? __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

05-19-2004, 12:24 PM	#2
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	I believe that would be a performance of Tolkien's song cycle The Road Goes Ever On. The composer Donald Swann was at the piano and a gentleman appropiately named William Elvin sang the songs. That took place in 1966 at Merton College. __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote.

05-19-2004, 12:25 PM	#3
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	That's right, Child - and a-one, a-two... - take it away! __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

05-19-2004, 12:31 PM	#4
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	That was fast! Let's see.... What was the only clear memory of his father that JRRT retained? __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote. Last edited by Child of the 7th Age; 05-20-2004 at 07:12 PM.

05-21-2004, 06:23 PM	#5
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	Arthur Tolkien If I am correct, Child, it is a poignant memory of departure, loss, of the way words substitute for real experience. Tolkien's mother undertook a journey, when her eldest son was about three or four, to England, for the sake of his health. Tolkien remembered seeing his father paint his name on the lid of a trunk as preparation for that journey. __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

05-21-2004, 06:50 PM	#6
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	Mistress Bethberry, Just so! The floor is yours. ~Child __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote. Last edited by Child of the 7th Age; 05-22-2004 at 09:36 AM.

05-22-2004, 04:10 PM	#7
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	Thank you, Mother Cami. Well, here's a topic less literary and more pecuniary, although perhaps a bit obscure. Still, I think, it tells us something about the man. Tolkien refused his University pension. Why, or, what did he do instead? dances off on that floor... in the best imitation of Tom __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.