A few kind words in parting - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

alatar · 07-16-2010, 08:28 PM

You get once last chance to be on stage, and then...whoof! I thought that, when my last bit of time came before being boxed up, I'd take the opportunity to share my love of Tolkien's words with my family and friends. Not being particular religious, instead of having someone else spout other things, I want to fill up those closing moments with something beautiful, something hopeful, something personal.

I have some ideas, but before I share them, I just wanted to read your thoughts: If you were to have some part of Tolkien's works read at your funeral, what would it be?

Mnemosyne · 07-16-2010, 08:36 PM

Like any subcreator, I'd have to go with the scene from "Leaf by Niggle" when the protagonist finds his own life's work perfected and in the flesh. Gives me goosebumps every time.

Bilbo's Last Song would come in as a close second, though.

Ibrîniðilpathânezel · 07-16-2010, 08:54 PM

"In sorrow we must go, but not in despair. Behold! We are not bound for ever to the circles of the world, and beyond them is more than memory."

Since I have expressly stated that I want no funeral, it's academic, but that's what I'd pick.

LadyBrooke · 07-16-2010, 10:02 PM

There's so many good quotes:

From LotR:

"You cannot be always torn in two. You will have to be one and whole, for many years. You have so much to enjoy and to be, and to do."

"And that will keep you as busy and as happy as anyone can be, as long as your part of the Story goes on."

"Go in peace! I will not say: do not weep; for not all tears are an evil."

"And the ship went out into the High Sea and passed on into the West, until at last on a night of rain Frodo smelled a sweet fragrance on the air and heard the sound of singing that came over the water. And then it seemed to him that as in his dream in the house of Bombadil, the grey rain-curtain turned all to silver glass and was rolled back, and he beheld white shores and beyond them a far green country under a swift sunrise."

There are a lot of good one in the Silmarillion, too but I would feel odd using them. They're all rather Kingly.

Off Topic: alatar, when I first saw the title I nearly feel off of my seat. I thought it meant you were leaving the Barrow-Downs.

Tuor in Gondolin · 07-17-2010, 09:11 AM

[Sam] "Don't the great tales never end?"
"No, they never end as tales," said Frodo. "But the people
in them come, and go when their part's ended. "

Rather positive in tone, in essence, rather like
Aragorn's dying comments to Arwen. Which makes all
the odder Arwen's depression over Aragorn's dying
(given the precedents of Luthien/Beren and Tuor/Idril).
She should have recalled her family history.

Morthoron · 07-17-2010, 04:31 PM

Ummm...Al, you're not planning on kicking the bucket anytime soon, are you?

07-16-2010, 08:28 PM	#1
alatar Doubting Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Heaven's basement Posts: 2,466	A few kind words in parting You get once last chance to be on stage, and then...whoof! I thought that, when my last bit of time came before being boxed up, I'd take the opportunity to share my love of Tolkien's words with my family and friends. Not being particular religious, instead of having someone else spout other things, I want to fill up those closing moments with something beautiful, something hopeful, something personal. I have some ideas, but before I share them, I just wanted to read your thoughts: If you were to have some part of Tolkien's works read at your funeral, what would it be? __________________ There is naught that you can do, other than to resist, with hope or without it.

07-16-2010, 08:36 PM	#2
Mnemosyne Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Between the past and the future Posts: 1,159	Like any subcreator, I'd have to go with the scene from "Leaf by Niggle" when the protagonist finds his own life's work perfected and in the flesh. Gives me goosebumps every time. Bilbo's Last Song would come in as a close second, though. __________________ Got corsets?

07-16-2010, 08:54 PM	#3
Ibrîniðilpathânezel Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Back on the Helcaraxe Posts: 733	"In sorrow we must go, but not in despair. Behold! We are not bound for ever to the circles of the world, and beyond them is more than memory." Since I have expressly stated that I want no funeral, it's academic, but that's what I'd pick. __________________ Call me Ibrin (or Ibri) :) Originality is the one thing that unoriginal minds cannot feel the use of. — John Stewart Mill

07-16-2010, 10:02 PM	#4
LadyBrooke Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: The modern day version of Edoras: horses, wind, rolling plains =) Posts: 507	There's so many good quotes: From LotR: "You cannot be always torn in two. You will have to be one and whole, for many years. You have so much to enjoy and to be, and to do." "And that will keep you as busy and as happy as anyone can be, as long as your part of the Story goes on." "Go in peace! I will not say: do not weep; for not all tears are an evil." "And the ship went out into the High Sea and passed on into the West, until at last on a night of rain Frodo smelled a sweet fragrance on the air and heard the sound of singing that came over the water. And then it seemed to him that as in his dream in the house of Bombadil, the grey rain-curtain turned all to silver glass and was rolled back, and he beheld white shores and beyond them a far green country under a swift sunrise." There are a lot of good one in the Silmarillion, too but I would feel odd using them. They're all rather Kingly. Off Topic: alatar, when I first saw the title I nearly feel off of my seat. I thought it meant you were leaving the Barrow-Downs. __________________ Busy, Busy, Busy...hoping for more free time soon.

07-17-2010, 09:11 AM	#5
Tuor in Gondolin Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Southeast Pennsylvania Posts: 3,651	[Sam] "Don't the great tales never end?" "No, they never end as tales," said Frodo. "But the people in them come, and go when their part's ended. " Rather positive in tone, in essence, rather like Aragorn's dying comments to Arwen. Which makes all the odder Arwen's depression over Aragorn's dying (given the precedents of Luthien/Beren and Tuor/Idril). She should have recalled her family history. __________________ The poster formerly known as Tuor of Gondolin. Walking To Rivendell and beyond 12,555 miles passed Nt./Day 5: Pass the beacon on Nardol, the 'Fire Hill.' Last edited by Tuor in Gondolin; 07-17-2010 at 09:17 AM.

07-17-2010, 04:31 PM	#6
Morthoron Curmudgeonly Wordwraith Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ensconced in curmudgeonly pursuits Posts: 2,508	Ummm...Al, you're not planning on kicking the bucket anytime soon, are you? __________________ And your little sister's immaculate virginity wings away on the bony shoulders of a young horse named George who stole surreptitiously into her geography revision.