Why Tom's songs - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Kath · 07-06-2005, 04:09 PM

This may have been asked before but I haven't seen it.

Basically I just want to know why Tom Bombadil sings all the time. Well, I say sings, he more speaks to a tune but never mind. Is there a written reason for this, does Tolkien ever say why?

Is it maybe because he is just compulsorily (thats not a word I know) happy so songs just burst out of him?

Please, any comments would be gratefully received.

Kitanna · 07-06-2005, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kath

Is it maybe because he is just compulsorily (thats not a word I know) happy so songs just burst out of him?

That would certainly make a lot of sense. Why should Tom Bombadil care about anything? He has his forest and his animals and his wife. He isn't affected by the Ring. Life is good for Tom.

Rumil · 07-06-2005, 07:46 PM

In Middle earth songs have real power, eg Luthien, where she used a song as part of 'magic' (whatever that is). I reckon Tom's songs were his method of maintaining his edge against Old Man Willow et al.

After all if you sing something enough it becomes true; 'Free Nelson Mandela' for example (HOORAY!!). And as the saying goes, 'a song from the heart beats the devil every time'. I guess its just rather more immediate in Middle Earth!

(Shame the same doesn't apply here!)

Durelin · 07-09-2005, 11:59 AM

The Music of the Valar created what would exist in E[font='Times New Roman'][font=Verdana]ä[/font][/font].

Out of Pearson's 12 archetypes, I'd say Tom is a Creator.

Bêthberry · 07-11-2005, 06:19 PM

Because otherwise we would have to listen to Old Man Willow's bark?

Kuruharan · 07-11-2005, 07:20 PM

I agree with Rumil that Tom sings because music is powerful and Tom is powerful.

However, I disagree with Durelin that Tom is a creator. What does he create? He is more of an observer in my estimation. An observer who will continually burst forth into silly songs because it is part of his nature.

07-06-2005, 04:09 PM	#1
Kath Everlasting Whiteness Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Perusing the laminated book of dreams Posts: 4,533	Why Tom's songs This may have been asked before but I haven't seen it. Basically I just want to know why Tom Bombadil sings all the time. Well, I say sings, he more speaks to a tune but never mind. Is there a written reason for this, does Tolkien ever say why? Is it maybe because he is just compulsorily (thats not a word I know) happy so songs just burst out of him? Please, any comments would be gratefully received. __________________ “If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”

07-06-2005, 07:46 PM	#3
Rumil Sage & Onions Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Britain Posts: 894	In Middle earth songs have real power, eg Luthien, where she used a song as part of 'magic' (whatever that is). I reckon Tom's songs were his method of maintaining his edge against Old Man Willow et al. After all if you sing something enough it becomes true; 'Free Nelson Mandela' for example (HOORAY!!). And as the saying goes, 'a song from the heart beats the devil every time'. I guess its just rather more immediate in Middle Earth! (Shame the same doesn't apply here!) __________________ Rumil of Coedhirion

07-11-2005, 07:20 PM	#6
Kuruharan Regal Dwarven Shade Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: A Remote Dwarven Hold Posts: 3,593	I agree with Rumil that Tom sings because music is powerful and Tom is powerful. However, I disagree with Durelin that Tom is a creator. What does he create? He is more of an observer in my estimation. An observer who will continually burst forth into silly songs because it is part of his nature. __________________ ...finding a path that cannot be found, walking a road that cannot be seen, climbing a ladder that was never placed, or reading a paragraph that has no...

07-09-2005, 11:59 AM	#4
Durelin Estelo dagnir, Melo ring Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 3,063	The Music of the Valar created what would exist in E[font='Times New Roman'][font=Verdana]ä[/font][/font]. Out of Pearson's 12 archetypes, I'd say Tom is a Creator.

07-11-2005, 06:19 PM	#5
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	Because otherwise we would have to listen to Old Man Willow's bark?