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(Author's Note: The first song in this chapter is the one that inspired the whole story.) CHAPTER 4 “Sing Ho! For the life of the bard! I’ve sung for lords and ladies fair Sing Ho! For the life of the bard! Pippin’s eyes began to assume an unfocussed and faraway look as he listened raptly to the words of the song. A troubadour he welcome is Now Pippin leaned forward, imagining himself gaily tripping down the road with no responsibilities, his only task to please other people with his music at the end of the day. What a life that would be! Sing Ho! For the life of a bard! So give me a seat, some bread to eat And when I die please let me lie Sing Ho! For the life of the bard! Oh, thought Pippin, the life of the bard for me! Menelcar had the crowd with him nodding and clapping. He’d scarcely finished when he started another, a humorous tale of the courtship of a lad and a maid: “One misty, moisty morning When that jolly song drew to an end, he played his harp quietly for a moment, and then began a sweet sad song that reminded Pippin of his cousin Frodo. It must be an Elven song, he thought. “East of the Moon, west of the Sun As the last sorrowful notes faded, Pippin heard several sniffles and noses being blown. His own eyes burned a bit, and he blinked the tears away. Now the harper began a brisker tune. “The King beneath the mountains, At the first few words, Pippin’s head snapped up. That was one of old Bilbo’s songs! Moved by a sudden impulse, he raise his own sweet tenor to join the Man’s rich baritone. After a brief glance of surprise, Menelcar’s eyes twinkled, and he gestured for Pippin to come stand beside him. The lord of silver fountains His crown shall be upholden, The woods shall wave on mountains The streams shall run in gladness As the song ended to thunderous applause, the two singers looked at one another and grinned, before taking a bow. Pippin felt suddenly overwhelmed by the joyful idea of experiencing this incredible feeling every night. _______________________________________________ (1) “Sing Ho! For the Life of the Bard” by Mistress Rosalinde Jehanne of Paradox Keep, (Jonna Bernstein) sung by Lady Julitta des Cheveaux on the tape Fair Lady Atlantia put out by the Atlantian Bardic Guild, of the Kingdom of Atlantia in the Society for Creative Anachronism. (2) From a Mother Goose Nursery rhyme that is part of a much longer folksong (3) From The Book of Lost Tales, Part Two , Chapter V, “The Tale of Eärendil”, “The Shores of Faëry” (4) From The Hobbit, Chapter XV, “The Gathering of the Clouds” |
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