Hobbit Day 2012

22 September is called “Hobbit Day” because it is both Bilbo and Frodo’s birthday in the books The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien. On this day various feasts and parties are held worldwide to celebrate the day.

So, if you want to party, read the books, or just relax, I thought that blogging about some music inspired by Tolkien’s works are just the thing.

Soothing Songs and Beautiful Music
Probably the most famous Tolkien-inspired groups is the Danish The Tolkien Ensemble, who sings the songs and poems from Tolkien’s works. Their website can be found here; and here is one of my earlier blogposts featuring their music.

The Lonely Mountain Band also has songs and music inspired by Tolkien. Check out their website here to listen to some of their music.

The Dutch Celtic group Anois now also has an album of songs from Tolkien’s works. Parts of the songs can be downloaded for free on their website. The music is soothing, with the elf-like voice of Veronica Metz. Visit their website here, and listen to their other music while you’re there.

For a real party 
If you’d rather have a party, have a listen to Marc Gunn’s album Don’t Go Drinking With Hobbits. And especially for Hobbit Day, you can download the whole album (legally) from this website. This is definitely also one for me to buy.

These are songs written by Marc Gunn and is inspired by both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Visit his other website for some more good Celtic music.

(Yes, I love Celtic music!)

But, whatever you do this Saturday, enjoy it!

Hobbit Dag 2012

22 September word “Hobbit Dag” genoem omdat dit beide Bilbo en Frodo se verjaarsdag is in die boeke The Hobbit en The Lord of the Rings deur JRR Tolkien. Op hierdie dag word verskeie feeste en partytjies wêreldwyd gehou ter viering van hierdie dag.

Dus, as jy wil partytjie hou, die boeke lees, of net sit en ontspan, het ek dit goed gedink om musiek wat deur Tolkien se werke geïnspireer is in hierdie inskrywing ten toon te stel.

Strelende ballades en pragtige musiek 
Seker die bekendste Tolkien-geïnspireerde groep is die Deense The Tolkien Ensemble, wat die liedjies en gedigte uit Tolkien se werke sing. Hulle webwerf is hierso en hier is een van my blog inskrywings wat hulle musiek bevat. 

The Lonely Mountain Band het ook wonderlike, oorspronklike musiek wat deur Tolkien geïnspireer is. Hier is hulle webwerf waar jy ook na hulle musiek kan luister.

Die Nederlandse Keltiese groep Anois, sing ook van die liedjies uit Tolkien se boeke sing. Gedeeltes uit van die liedjies kan gratis afgelaai word by hulle webwerf. Hierdie is strelende musiek met die elfagtige stem van Veronica Metz. Besoek hulle webwerf hier. Luister ook sommer na hulle ander, pragtige musiek.

Vir ‘n regte opskop
As jy eerder ‘n opskop wil hou, stel ek Marc Gunn se album Don’t Go Drinking with Hobbits, voor. Spesiaal vir vandag kan jy ook die album gratis (en heeltemal wettig) by hierdie webwerf aflaai. Beslis een vir my om aan te skaf!

Hierdie is liedjies wat deur Marc Gunn self geskryf is en is geïnspireer is deur beide The Hobbit en The Lord of the Rings. Besoek ook sy ander webwerf hier vir nog goeie Keltiese musiek.

(Ja, ek is mal oor Keltiese musiek!)

Maar, watookal jy besluit om hierdie Saterdag doen, geniet dit!

Inspirational Friday – Warrior's laments

Or, “Where now the horse and the rider” by JRR Tolkien

For the third week of September’s Tolkien-themed Inspiration Fridays, I’ve chosen one of my favourite poems from Lord of the Rings. Tolkien’s inspiration for this poem can be traced to the Anglo-Saxon poem “The Wanderer”.  Below is Tolkien’s poem, followed by the Anglo-Saxon and contemporary English translation from the appropriate passage of “The Wanderer”.

Where now the horse and the rider? Where is the horn that was blowing?
Where is the helm and the hauberk, and the bright hair flowing?
Where is the hand on the harpstring, and the red fire glowing?
Where is the spring and the harvest and the tall corn growing?
They have passed like rain on the mountain, like a wind in the meadow;
The days have gone down in the West behind the hills into shadow.
Who shall gather the smoke of the dead wood burning,
Or behold the flowing years from the Sea returning?

John DiBartolo has also set this poem to music – you can find out more at this website. 

From “The Wanderer”

Hwær cwom mearg? Hwær cwom mago? 

Hwær cwom maþþumgyfa?

Hwær cwom symbla gesetu?

Hwær sindon seledreamas?

Eala beorht bune!

Eala byrnwiga!

Eala þeodnes þrym!

Hu seo þrag gewat,

genap under nihthelm,

swa heo no wære.

Stondeð nu on laste

leofre duguþe

weal wundrum heah,

wyrmlicum fah.

Eorlas fornoman

asca þryþe,

wæpen wælgifru,

wyrd seo mære,

ond þas stanhleoþu

stormas cnyssað,

hrið hreosende

hrusan bindeð,

wintres woma,

þonne won cymeð,

nipeð nihtscua,

norþan onsendeð

hreo hæglfare And in contemporary English:

Where is the horse gone? Where the rider?

Where the giver of treasure?

Where are the seats at the feast?

Where are the revels in the hall?

Alas for the bright cup!

Alas for the mailed warrior!

Alas for the splendour of the prince!

How that time has passed away,

dark under the cover of night,

as if it had never been!

Now there stands in the trace

of the beloved troop

a wall, wondrously high,

wound round with serpents.

The warriors taken off

by the glory of spears,

the weapons greedy for slaughter,

the famous fate (turn of events),

and storms beat

these rocky cliffs,

falling frost

fetters the earth,

the harbinger of winter;

Then dark comes,

nightshadows deepen,

from the north there comes

a rough hailstorm

in malice against men. A replica of the Sutton Hoo Helm - absolutely exquisite