I know who Tom Bombadil is, and the truth will shock you.

[Keith Mathison]

While driving home and listening to the radio the other day, I discovered who Tom Bombadil is. Recall that just before the hobbits left the house of Bombadil, we read the following:

"Then he taught them a rhyme to sing, if they should by ill-luck fall into any danger or difficulty the next day.

Ho! Tom Bombadil, Tom Bombadillo!
By water, wood and hill, by the reed and willow,
By fire, sun and moon, harken now and hear us!
Come, Tom Bombadil, for our need is near us!

Now while driving home, I heard the following lyrics coming out of my speakers:

You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come running, to see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there
You've got a friend

You know what this means?

James Taylor is Tom Bombadil.

 

[Elthir]

That's just silly.

I've seen JT in person, and "he" never sang such.

 

[Erestor Arcamen]

So who's Goldberry, Carly Simon (James Taylor's first wife)?

 

[Keith Mathison]

Carole King who wrote the lyrics is Goldberry

 

[Squint-eyed Southerner]

 

[Elthir]

😂 S-eS!

And for unasked-for clarity: I know JT > Jethro Tull is the name of the band, not Ian Anderson, who isn't JT as in James Taylor in any case . . .

. . . the latter who I've also seen in person. Without yellow boots.

🐾

 

[Alcuin]

Tom Bombadil doesn’t play flute.

 

[Elthir]

Does.

 

[CCC]

As it says in 'The Untold History of Middle-earth: Volume Eleventy One': Tol Brandir (later known as Tom Bombadil) and the Amon Brothers, were the first Tindrock band to introduce Marshall stacks to Middle-earth. 🎤🎸🥁 Apparently, Tindrock means, to play very, very, very, loud.

 

[Ealdwyn]

Ian Anderson is now my preferred casting for Tom Bombadil.
I can imagine him capering down the Withywindle - all he needs is the yellow boots.

He'd be

 

[Elthir]

Excellent.