Songs of the Small Folk
The songs of the Small Folk-called Halflings by the tall races-are not written in books or carved in stone. They live in the rustle of leaves, the babbling of brooks, and the laughter around evening fires. We emerged from the gentle dreaming of the earth, and our songs reflect that dreaming: simple joys, deep roots, and the quiet contentment of those who want for nothing but good company and a warm hearth.
- Hummed into memory by Rosie Tumblebranch, Songkeeper of the Greenhollow
The Earthmother''s Lullaby
Sung to children at bedtime throughout the Alfwyld
Hush now, little seedling,
Close your eyes and rest,
The earth is softly humming,
And you are truly blessed.The roots beneath your cradle,
Hold you safe and sound,
And all the growing things that live,
Are watching all around.Dream of sunny meadows,
Dream of honey sweet,
Dream of puddles perfect,
For splashing little feet.For you are earth''s own child,
And earth will keep you near,
So sleep, my little seedling,
There''s nothing here to fear.
The Planting Song
Sung during the spring sowing, accompanied by rhythmic digging
Dig the hole and drop the seed,
That''s all the magic that we need!
Sun and rain and time and care,
Soon enough the green grows there!Chorus:
Hey-ho, watch it grow!
Row by row by row by row!
What we plant, we soon shall eat,
Carrots, beans, and taters sweet!Grandma planted, so did ma,
So did grandpa, so did pa,
Now it''s our turn, dig and sow,
That''s the way the good things grow!(Repeat Chorus)
Wanderer''s Return
Sung when a traveler comes home after a long journey
The road was long, the world was wide,
I saw such things on every side,
Mountains tall and oceans deep,
Wonders that would make you weep.But now I''m home, now I''m here,
Among the folk I hold most dear,
And all the gold in Dragon''s keep,
Is nothing to this welcome sweet.Set a place beside the fire,
Fetch the fiddle and the lyre,
Pour the cider, slice the bread,
Tonight I''ll sleep in my own bed!For wandering is fine and well,
And I''ve got stories I could tell,
But nothing beats-and this is true-
Coming home to all of you.
The Feast Day Round
A circular song sung at celebrations, each verse overlapping the last
Pass the pie and pass the ale,
Pass around another tale,
Pass the laughter, pass the song,
Pass the evening all night long!Cousin Bramble, Auntie Rose,
Uncle Pippin, bless his nose,
All the family, gathered round,
The finest folk that can be found!Eat your fill and drink your share,
Joy is best when joy we share,
And when the morning sun appears,
We''ll do the same in another year!
The Guardian''s Thanks
A hymn of gratitude to the Groove Guardian, sung at harvest festivals
Wild Spirit, green and true,
We raise our voice in thanks to you,
For every fruit upon the vine,
For every blessing, yours and mine.You run through forest, field, and fen,
Protecting all beyond our ken,
The deer, the fox, the bird, the bee,
All flourish under your decree.We leave for you the finest share,
Beneath the old oak, placed with care,
A gift returned for gifts received,
From folk who''ve always believed.Watch over us, O Guardian green,
Keep safe the spaces in between,
And when our time comes to depart,
May we return to nature''s heart.