Where Are the Heroes?
I began reading The Hobbit tonight (actually early this morning), and something Tolkien wrote reminded me of the state of affairs today:"I tried to fine one [hero]; but warriors are busy fighting one another in distant lands, and in this neighborhood heroes are scarce, or simply not to be found. Swords in these parts are mostly blunt, and axes are used for trees, and shields as cradles or dishcovers; and dragons are comfortably far-off (and therefore legendary)" (30).
It seems that many of us, like Eustace, have simply been reading the wrong books.
Any thoughts?
posted by DrewDog at 12:53 AM
2 Comments:
I'm not sure where you wish to go with this, but since you asked what thoughts this brought to mind, I'll pipe up to say that it brought to mind that favorite hymn of mine, the one I mentioned in a private communication earlier this evening.
I can't play you the music (bummer; it's stirring minor/major shifts really add to the effect), so I'll have to do with just the lyrics. What they conjure up in my mind (the lyrics, that is) are the heroes that are mostly forgotten, if they were even noticed, while they lived. At least, those are the heroes this hymn extols, and praises God for preserving them in for a world where their heroism can truly flourish.
Anywhoo, here's the lyrics to Episcopal 1940 Hymnal Hymn No. 582:
For the brave of every race,
All who served and fell on sleep,
Whose forgotten resting place
Rolling years have buried deep --
Brotherhood of good and godly men
Of earth's age-long chivalry --
Source and giver of all good,
Lord, we praise, we worship thee.
Prince and peasant, bond and free,
Warriors wielding freedom's sword,
Bold adventurers on the sea,
Faithful stewards of the word,
Toilers in the mine and mill,
Toilers at the furnace-blaze,
Long forgotten, living still,
All thy servants tell thy praise.
Valiantly o'er sea and land
Trod they the untrodden way,
true and faithful to command,
Swift and fearless to obey;
Strong in heart and hand and brain,
Strong, yet battling for the weak,
Recked they not of their own gain,
Their own safety scorned to seek.
Marvels new and manifold,
Taught of thee, they taught their day;
Fear and bondage long grown old,
In thy strength they swept away;
Healed the sick and halt and lame,
Made the doubly blind to see;
Glorious Lord, their glorious name
Safe is treasured up with thee.
Evermore their life abides
Who have lived to do thy will;
High above the restless tides
Stands their city on a hill;
Lord and Light of every age,
By thy same sure counsel led,
Heirs of their great heritage
In their footsteps we will tread.
BQ: Thanks, that is a wonderful hymn. I think what I was trying to get at is that the modern church tends to make the big things little, and the little things big; and everyone has forgotten how/why/whom we are to fight. Your hymn helps put the point of this whole thing we call "life" back into perspective.
Aaron: Great. I think your comment pointed out at least part of the answer to the problem I was addressing in my post: May all of us be spurred to awaken the Tookish in us!
Cheers
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