Archives:  Bardic Traditions

 

Morgan:  Bards alive and composing

quote:

 

Originally posted by Luthien Undomiel
Thank you all for the comments on my post Re: Song. I'm really glad what I was trying to put across was understood by everyone!
As for my impressions on Rain and Kirinki's appearance, that'll have to wait as I'm a little shy.
Maybe if Morgan would post some of the poetry she's hinted at writing first

 

Luthien,
As chance would have it, I discovered over the weekend that Bardic traditions are not all dead. I was attending a rapier combat seminar and a fellow who referred to himself as a real Bard was sharing pieces of his poetry by bestowing them most chivalrously and graciously upon the ladies. It was done with elan and humour, and I thought it might bring a smile to a few faces here, (since many of us are seemingly obsessed with Elven tresses,) if I shared this one. The reader only need substitute the word women for Elves Well it should help to get you through the Lays of Beleriand anyway.

Long Soft Tresses

"Blessed be the long, soft tresses
of women, who grace my world,
with the sight of their faces,
framed to my delight.
These sweet visions,
be they old or young,
sing songs within my soul.
If there's a God in Heaven,
and I believe there is,
they should be blessed with love
from those they love,
who hold them always near,
and keep them always dear.
Take this poem, I hand to you,
as an innocent prayer of care-
tis an innocent thing I do."

~Arnold Olson, The Doggerelist

 

 

Luthien: Wonderful Morgan! That did bring a smile to my face, once I switched around the words as you suggested.

It's great to know that not all the bards are in hiding

 

 

 

Morgan: Poetry as Lore

quote:

 

Originally posted by Elanor Gamgee

I would even add up - songs and poems of different kind seems to be a source of lore; cf. Lay of Nimrodel and Legolas' words, "Every Elf in Wilderland has sung songs of old Onodrim and their long sorrow".

 

Most definitely yes Elanor. I have long held much recording of custom and history amongst the Elves to be Bardic in nature. For a race that define themselves as The Quendi ~ Speaking Peoples nothing could be more appropriate. Unfortunately, outside of Elvish society this manner of recording history was not nearly so successful and became mere wrote. Who as a child sang, "Ring a ring a rosie..." and knew that it was a song about the devastation of the black plague? Elves, like some Hobbits I know have encyclopedic memories and value the true meaning of the words they speak. Not so it seems with the majority of humans and Mannish poetry, unless one is willing to consciously study.