Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Gandalf the White (The Rake's Song, Colin Meloy)

I have Lord of the Rings on the brain right now.  Here's a reflection from Gandalf - the slightly less responsible movie version, who's into drinking in libraries and barging in on hobbits in the middle of the night - addressing Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas to the tune of the Decemberists' The Rake's Song.

Gandalf the White

As I researched objects of power,
I blew rings and guzzled tankards of beer.
Then an Elven matron caught me,
And she chided, “Sir, you can’t smoke in here,
All right?  Books might ignite!”

Though I was irked, I had what I needed:
Confirmation we were facing the worst.
So much to do, a war to prepare for...
But I had to see Frodo off first.
I brought his plight to light
And gave him quite a fright.

“Frodo,” I told him, “Bilbo left a golden trinket.
I can’t rest until it’s finally gone.
Riders from Mordor could come to your door,
So you and Samwise must leave with the dawn.
Your flight starts at first light.”

Then when he left, I went to the wizard
Who I could count on to help with my quest.
Though I suspected that my efforts would be futile,
I had hope when I consulted the best -
The White - he’d set things right.
But White was not too bright.

Saruman locked me on the top of a tower.
Took an eagle to escape from his wrath.
Came back to you, and I led you but tumbled
Toward the Balrog as you ran up the path.
Our fight went on all night.

Then after I won, I left but returned here.
Seems the world was not finished with me.
I know that you think I don’t look like Gandalf;
That’s because the Grey is gone, you see.
So cite delight, not fright.
I’m called Gandalf the White!


2 comments:

  1. you are invited to follow my blog

    ReplyDelete
  2. Erin,

    Thank you for your comment, I commented back but did not know if you would come back to my page and see it so I came to yours. I am knew to this so I am not sure where to leave "general follow up" comments. so sorry if this is the wrong place, feel free to delete.

    It is a hard thing to blog about, but I feel like if I can get it all out of me, have people hear me and get feed back it may be ok...

    My family knows most of the details of the past but we do not discuss. I think the main reason I am still hiding is because I am also going to lay out some of the demons I currently battle due to the past and those are things I am ashamed for people to know, and afraid as well... from employer to family etc...

    I hope what I am saying makes sense, thank you for your interest in my story

    ReplyDelete