Nonsense Rhyme

[Balfrog]

Was there meaning attributed by Tolkien to the words 'fal, lal, derry & dol' in Bombadil's poetry?

Ms. Seth seems to think so:

https://priyasethtolkienfan.wordpres...e-final-stage/

A potential linkage back to Michael Tolkien's Dutch Doll is an interesting idea. But, for me, just as intriguing is the willow-wren character from the Bombadil Goes Boating poem, and how buried in her notes that the 'happy day' of the poem might have been our St. Stephen's day – December 26th!

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

Originally Posted by Balfrog

Was there meaning attributed by Tolkien to the words 'fal, lal, derry & dol' in Bombadil's poetry?

Ms. Seth seems to think so:

https://priyasethtolkienfan.wordpres...e-final-stage/

A potential linkage back to Michael Tolkien's Dutch Doll is an interesting idea. But, for me, just as intriguing is the willow-wren character from the Bombadil Goes Boating poem, and how buried in her notes that the 'happy day' of the poem might have been our St. Stephen's day – December 26th!

I like overanalyzing things as much as the next fellow, but to try to find a deeper meaning with nonsensical songs of Tom Bombadil is probably stretching it. No doubt Tolkien had a specific reason for writing as he did, but anything beyond "contributing to the whimsical nature of Tin Bombadil", is bound to be speculative in the extreme.