| This article refers to the poem about Tom Bombadil. For other namesakes, see The Adventures of Tom Bombadil (disambiguation). |
The Adventures of Tom Bombadil is a poem by J.R.R. Tolkien included in the collection of verses with the same title.
Synopsis[]
Goldberry[]
Tom Bombadil is out wandering in the forest, and decides to drink from a pool. But Goldberry pulls him into the pond; so Tom tells her to sleep, and release him.
Old Man Willow[]
After his escape from Goldberry, dries his wet clothes under a willow tree, which turns out to be Old Man Willow. Old Man Willow sang a song which put Tom to sleep, and then traps him within a willow-crack. He then commanded Old Man Willow to let him loose, and Old Man Willow does.
Badger-folk[]
After that, rain began to fall, so he crept into a little hole in the ground. But as it turns out, Badger-brock lives there. Somewhat offended by his hasty entrance, he grew angry and captured Tom with the help of the Badger-folk. Tom woke up, and demanded that he be set free, and the Badger-folk obliged.
Barrow-wight[]
Tom came back home and ate supper. Then, just as he was going to bed, he heard the Barrow-wight calling to him, and threatening to 'turn him cold and pale'. Tom tells him to leave, and the Barrow-wight, full of fear, retreats.
Tom's wedding[]
The next day, Tom goes back to the pond in which he met Goldberry, pulled her out, and then he married her. It is said that Goldberry's mother, the River-woman sighed, the Barrow-wight cried, and Old Man Willow scraped his fingers on Tom's window-pane.
In other versions[]
An older version of the poem was published in the Oxford Magazine for February 15, 1934.