If there is one thing you all should know about me, it is that I love fantasy and science-fiction. I am particularly very passionate about Star Trek and the works of Tolkien (i.e. Lord of the Rings, the Hobbit, etc.) On September 1, 2022, Amazon video released the highly anticipated Middle Earth TV series called The Lord of Rings: The Rings of Power. This series is set in the second age prior to the happenings that take place in The Lord of the Rings. There is one storyline that I want to comment on from this series. In the series, there is a group of “small folks” called the Harfoots, the ancestors of the Shire dwelling Hobbits. The Harfoots are a semi-nomadic people who migrate throughout Middle Earth. One of Harfoots, Poppy Proudfellow, shares a walking song that she had learned from her late mother. The lyrics of this song are provided below.
The sun is fast fallin' Beneath trees of stone,
The light in the tower, No longer my home,
Passed eyes of pale fire- Black sand for my bed,
I trade all I've known for the unknown ahead.
Call to me, call to me, lands far away!
For I must now wander, this wandering day,
Away I must wander, this wandering day.
Of drink I have little And food I have less,
My strength tells me no, But the path demands yes.
My legs are so short and the way is so long,
I've no rest nor comfort, No comfort but song.
Sing to me, sing to me, lands far away!
Oh rise up and guide me this wandering day,
Please promise to find me this wandering day.
At last comes their answer,
Through cold and through frost,
That not all who wonder or wander are lost,
No matter the sorrow,
No matter the cost,
That not all who wonder or wander are lost.
This song is simple yet beautiful. It’s about leaving home for the call of “lands far away.” And while Harfoots know that the journey will be difficult, it’s one they walk because they have faith that the destination will make their wandering worth it. It is a song that brings hope for the future. The Harfoots may not know where their wandering will land them, but they know that they must answer the call of the “lands for away.” This plot point reminds me of the Exodus story. The Hebrew people with God’s guidance escaped the oppression of Pharaoh in Egypt and wandered in the desert for 40 years looking for the land promised to them. The Hebrew people faced much hardship as they wandered. They lacked provisions. They were tempted by idols. However, God was with them throughout it all. He provided water when they were thirsty. Gave them manna from heaven when they were hungry. The path was tough and many grumbled but the Israelite continued on. God promised them a land of their own, and there was hope.
They were never actually lost because God was with them. There are many times that we too feel like we are wandering. Things can be rough. However, let us remember God’s promise. The promise made to us in the death and resurrection of Christ. God promises to be in relationship with us, to be present in our lives. As we continue towards the end of the year and to Advent, remember Emmanuel, God is with us. We may wander in our lives and in our faith, but we are never lost. God will guide us as we follow the call, Amen.
--- Vicar Ethan Doan
The sun is fast fallin' Beneath trees of stone,
The light in the tower, No longer my home,
Passed eyes of pale fire- Black sand for my bed,
I trade all I've known for the unknown ahead.
Call to me, call to me, lands far away!
For I must now wander, this wandering day,
Away I must wander, this wandering day.
Of drink I have little And food I have less,
My strength tells me no, But the path demands yes.
My legs are so short and the way is so long,
I've no rest nor comfort, No comfort but song.
Sing to me, sing to me, lands far away!
Oh rise up and guide me this wandering day,
Please promise to find me this wandering day.
At last comes their answer,
Through cold and through frost,
That not all who wonder or wander are lost,
No matter the sorrow,
No matter the cost,
That not all who wonder or wander are lost.
This song is simple yet beautiful. It’s about leaving home for the call of “lands far away.” And while Harfoots know that the journey will be difficult, it’s one they walk because they have faith that the destination will make their wandering worth it. It is a song that brings hope for the future. The Harfoots may not know where their wandering will land them, but they know that they must answer the call of the “lands for away.” This plot point reminds me of the Exodus story. The Hebrew people with God’s guidance escaped the oppression of Pharaoh in Egypt and wandered in the desert for 40 years looking for the land promised to them. The Hebrew people faced much hardship as they wandered. They lacked provisions. They were tempted by idols. However, God was with them throughout it all. He provided water when they were thirsty. Gave them manna from heaven when they were hungry. The path was tough and many grumbled but the Israelite continued on. God promised them a land of their own, and there was hope.
They were never actually lost because God was with them. There are many times that we too feel like we are wandering. Things can be rough. However, let us remember God’s promise. The promise made to us in the death and resurrection of Christ. God promises to be in relationship with us, to be present in our lives. As we continue towards the end of the year and to Advent, remember Emmanuel, God is with us. We may wander in our lives and in our faith, but we are never lost. God will guide us as we follow the call, Amen.
--- Vicar Ethan Doan
