Tom Bombadil sings "John Barleycorn Must Die"

[BlueWizrd]

I was listening to episode 30, when we discussed the meal that Tom Bombadil and Goldberry served to the hobbits, particularly focusing on its vegetarian elements. I do think that it is true that while we readily categorize things like trees and flowers as living, breathing organisms, we do not tend to consider the herbs and vegetables we eat as such. It instantly brought to mind the Traffic song "John Barleycorn Must Die", which is a modern rendition of an old British folk song. It speaks of a personified barley crop, on its journey from birth to death and consumption. It has long struck a chord with me, and it still amazes me how your view of life and death changes when you think of it in human terms.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Barleycorn