Bards of Old

September 2, 2012|Brandy Badgers, Grand Order, Hobbiton, Laurelin, Tolkien|LOTRO, Songs1

Tonight, we had the Bard’s day concert in the Ivy Bush, celebrating the works of master writer Ronald Dwale… the LOTRO alter ego of J.R.R.Tolkien, who passed away on September 2nd 1973.

There was a grand audience at the concert; men, elves, dwarves and hobbits, all joining in the fun. The picture above shows the audience who were left at the end of the night, paying tribute to the picture of Ronald Dwale.

I wrote a song for the same day last year, and we played it at the start of tonight’s concert. This is best sung to Planxty Fanny Power. Below the song lyrics yer will also find the full set list from tonight’s concert.

So come raise yer mug for the bards of old, and that one special writer in particular. He really wrote the most amazing stories and poems!

Bards of Old

A table near the fireside
A weathered quill whose tip is dry
A parchment white as winter’s snow
That’s all you need to make stories grow

So grab that quill and start your tale
Of Shirefolk and their love of ale
A life that’s blessed in many ways
As hobbits enjoy long and happy days

Perhaps you will write of the dwarven halls
Where metals are found in the rough-hewn walls
Of elves going west ’til they reach the sea
They sail off in ships built from hulky trees

So come raise your mugs to the bards of old
Who still entertain as their stories are told
Whose words resonate with us over the years
They bring happy laughter and mournful tears

There’s stories of the kings of old
Who fought their wars over land and gold
Of barrow downs where spirits haunt
You’ll even hear tales of an oliphaunt

The darkest tales come from the east
Of lands where life has all but ceased
Of armies soon to disembark
To cover the lands in a second dark

But you are all safe in your home tonight
Enjoying the stories by candlelight
Your life feels much better because they are told
Remember who wrote them in times of old

So come raise your mugs to the bards of old
Who still entertain as their stories are told
Whose words resonate with us over the years
They bring happy laughter and mournful tears

Setlist

1. Bards of Old
2. Concerning Hobbits
3. Troll Sat Alone
4. Galadriel’s Song of Eldamar
5. Song of Durin’s Awakening
6. May it Be
7. Many Meetings
8. Into the West
9. Song of Beren and Lúthien
10. Far Over Misty Mountains Cold
11. There is an Inn
12. Mushrooms in the Marish (based on the poem “Tom Bombadil Goes Boating”)
13. ENCORE: Alpha (Vangelis)