Thorin

[bnewman]

A scion of a proud house, living in exile and disappointment, takes the advice of a friend and stirs up the courage to return.  Of course in Thorin's case he is the rightful heir, the exile is on account of a dragon, the advice to return is good (does Gandalf give bad advice?), and the expedition is ultimately successful — but it still ends with his death.

lyrics by Benjamin Newman

ttto: "Preston Miller" by Dave Carter

listen to this song
 

/: Am C G Am / C G Am - :/

/ " / C G E - / " / " /

 

He was born beneath the mountain when its fame was at its height

And wealth flowed freely up and down the valley

When dragon-fire fell he fled away into the night

With the few among his kin that he could rally

 

Now for years they've wandered searching after diggings they can work

And they buy their beer in iron, tin, and coal

And the heir of Durin sits apart, with his grandpa's vengeance in his heart

And a shame he cannot shake down in his soul

 

/ Am - Dm Am / C G E - / 1st / F G Am - /

 

When you drink to disappointment, Thorin, do not drain the flagon

Bitter dregs lie at the bottom of your cup

Is the simple sorry fact of the existence of the dragon

Not enough to wake the House of Durin up?

 

One evening in the inn at Bree he's drinking by himself

When the old Grey Wizard sits down at the table

Saying, if the dragon's on your mind, I'd offer you my help

If you and your companions think you're able

 

And if thirteen's a company too freighted with ill-luck

I know a fourteenth fellow you could hire

A burgular of modest skill, so meet me, Thorin, if you will

On the 25th of April in the Shire

 

When you drink to disappointment, Thorin...

 

When Thorin meets the Hobbit, he is not exactly thrilled

A burgular?  He looks more like a grocer!

And bickering all night about how dragons can be killed

Doesn't really bring the mountain any closer

 

But at Gandalf's insistence, Thorin offers him the job

May he find some noble deed within his measure

Undersigned, Thorin and Company: expenses paid, and funeral fees

And, of course, the fourteenth part of all the treasure

 

When you drink to disappointment, Thorin...

 

At last the door is opened and the dragon's hoard is claimed 

But the Gem of Gems is nowhere to be spotted

He can't have simply missed it — there is someone to be blamed!

And it seems that someone has to be the Hobbit

 

So Thorin utters curses and impugns the Hobbit's faith

Our friendship you have utterly forsaken

May you die friendless and alone, who withheld from me the Arkenstone

Though it was to broker peace that it was taken

 

When you drink to disappointment, Thorin...

 

Now Thorin lies upon his deathbed, wracked with mortal pain

Close by the Hobbit and the Wizard and his kinsmen

That fourteenth part did not include the Arkenstone of Thrain!

And yet the theft must surely be forgiven

 

I leave all gold and silver, and I go now to my rest

I wish to part in friendship, if we may

There's more good in you than you know, child of the kindly West

And with these words did Thorin pass away