Something I don't see mentioned here is the presence of singing in Irish and Welsh legend, as in the tales of Taliesin, the greatest bard. It was told that he gained his knowlege thru the caldron of Cerridwen, from which he was given (or stole) 3 drops of an enchanted elixir. From this he learned "The Song of Making" which was the tale of how the world was made, containing the true names of all the creatures and plants of the Earth. When Taliesin sang it he mesmerized Kings and beggars alike, placing visions before their eyes and sending them into dreams. It is said that one who know a person's "true" name (from the song/spell of making) has power over that person. More than once, Tolkien mentioned this, in the case of Smaug the Dragon, Smaug scolds Bilbo for giving his true name. In the Silm, the world is made through music, conjuring the "Song of Making" once again. I also point to Felagund's singing against the power of Sauron, as well as Luthien's powerful gate-busting melody! Sam's singing for Frodo echoes both stories.
Music is indeed a key to unlocking the power of the heart.
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'Perilous indeed,' said Aragorn, 'fair and perilous; but only evil need fear it, or those who bring some evil with them. Follow me!'
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