J O N K E R S R A R E B O O K S
of their friendship is apparent from Tolkien’s invitation to a Flanders & Swann concert, “I have not laughed so much... since I last saw an archbishop of Canterbury slip on a banana-skin”, and sending him a copy of Tom Bombadil , “Its a fairly pretty book, except the ugly lettering which disfigures the cover.” (both 19 Sept 1965). Also the preparations for Tolkien’s golden wedding an- niversary, for which Swann and Elvin were invited to perform the songs and his thanks to Swann for his “great kindness and generosity in gracing our party, and raising it far above the level of college receptions.” (28 March 1966), but also his misgivings on allowing a journalist to report on the party, “Publicity is the soul of Success [But may also be the fly in the Ointment]” (21 March 1966), and Tolkien’s discomfort at the publicity his own fame has forced upon him, such as the 1968 BBC documentary, ‘Tolkien in Oxford’, “I am merely impressed by the complete ‘bogosity’ of the whole performance. The producer: a very nice, very young man called Leslie Megahey… and personally equipped with some intelligence and insight, was nonetheless already so muddled and confused by BBCism that the last thing in the world he wished to show was me as I am / or was, let alone ‘human or lifesize’. I was lost in a world of gimmickry and nonsense, as far as it had any sign designed it seemed simply to fix the image of a fuddy not to say duddy old fireside hob- bit-like boozer… they appeared completely confused between ME and my story, and I was made to attend a firework show… Fireworks have no special relation to me. They appear in the books … because they are part of the representation of Gandalf bearer of the Ring of Fire, the Kindler: the most childlike aspect shown to the Hobbits being fireworks.” (29 February 1968) As the prospect of publishing Swann’s settings of the songs hoves into view, Tolkien devotes some time to providing context for the songs within The Lord of the Rings , for the purpose of per- formance, particularly the two in Elvish. “Galadriel was a southerner, but I have no doubt some
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