A Finer Kind of Hero

[bnewman]

In J.R.R. Tolkien, Author of the Century, Tom Shippey contrasts the glory-seeking courage of the Dwarves with Bilbo's quiet, unassuming courage, mostly demonstrated alone in dark places.  I imagine Thorin speaking these words to Bilbo.

lyrics and music by Benjamin Newman

/ Em D C - / Em D C D / 1st / Em C D - /

 

When you set out on this journey, you were underqualified,

But no one knew — least of all, you — what you had inside;

Your competence is proven now — that may not sound like much —

But you've got a kind of courage I could never touch.

 

I marched to war in full array, you hid behind a rock,

But I believe that tales will say that you're of sterner stock;

You may have lost your lunch when you beheld that teeming host,

But you've outdone me in bravery where it matters most.

 

/ C D Em C / - D C D / 1st / C - D - / Em ... /

 

At the roots of the mountains, in the shadow of the trees,

You fought your fights alone in the night where no one else could see,

And you never asked for glory, just to make it home for tea;

Mr. Baggins, you're a finer kind of hero... than me.

 

We failed you in the Goblins' nest when we left you behind;

Since then, though often out of sight, you've not been out of mind —

You saved us from the spiders, and you freed us from the Elves,

While in your place we Dwarves thought only of ourselves.

 

And now, as I lie dying, once again we are well met —

I spoke ill of your loyalty, spoke words that I regret;

For you are the bravest burglar that I have ever known —

And I mean this as a Dwarf: You have a heart of stone!

 

At the roots of the mountains, in the shadow of the trees,

You fought your fights alone in the night where no one else could see,

And you never asked for glory, just to make it home for tea;

Mr. Baggins, you're a finer kind of hero... than me.