Savoring the Hobbit Mushroom Habit

In his youth, Frodo Baggins thought nothing of walking all the way from Brandy Hall to the Marish to pilfer forbidden fungi from Farmer Maggot's land. The fact that the hobbit liking for mushrooms can surpass Big Folks' greed for other things is a trait I find both fascinating and relatable, and I've loved learning about the secretive, folkloric customs which surround mushroom hunting in many European countries.

Here, we see the Gamgees, in the early days of starting their family, with just Elanor, little Frodo and baby Rose in tow. In studying Professor Tolkien's maps looking for good mushroom hunting grounds, it occurred to me that Bindbole Wood (sometimes spelt Bindbale) looked like prime ground for chanterelles, if the forest contained birch and pine trees. Of course, the hobbits would have had other names for these golden, apricot-scented treasures. Horns of Buckland, maybe? Or Wizard Hats? Perhaps this spot is a Gamgee heirloom, passed down in tacit secrecy from generation to generation. The relative proximity of the wood to Bagshot Row would make for a fine family outing, and as you can see, Rose has dressed the family in sympathetic colors in honor of the prized mushrooms.

I think, here, that we see the hobbits at their most Faërian; close to nature and enjoying its bounty. If one of the Big Folk had broken King Elessar's edict and come tramping into the Shire, I can readily imagine that the whole family would instantly and nimbly disappear. In the twinkling of an eye, they'd be gone! I expect hobbit parents taught this skill to their children at a very early age, just as we can see them here passing on the art of mushroom harvesting.

Readers of my blog may know that I've been devoting 2025 to a very deep study of hobbit culture, and one little tidbit I've gleaned from repeatedly painting Sam's family is how comforting it is that there is a young Frodo to depict. Frodo Baggins is, of course, gone from Middle-earth by this time, but his dear memory lives on in this tiny namesake. I can even suppose that Frodo (the younger) would have loved to hear the story about Frodo (the elder) getting into a scrape hunting mushrooms at Bamfurlong. In fact, I expect hobbits had a fund of stories and songs about their passionate love for this near-magical food.

A hobbit mushroom song

Begging the pardon of all real poets present, but I hope my friends tap their feet to this supposal of a hobbit mushroom song I have imagined Sam making up for his children and loosely set to the Troll tune. In it, Sam fancies a trip of his own to Bamfurlong, in memory of his visit there long ago.

Now Bamfurlong is the name of my song,

where a hungry hobbit can't go wrong

Sam tiptoes to the tune of his nose,

for he's come to hunt the mushroom

Hush room! Shush room!

He makes no sound with his feet on the ground,

for he's come to hunt the mushroom

On the farm in the Marish with a hunger rarish,

the hapless hobbit may well perish

But Sam goes south with a watering mouth,

for he's come to hunt the mushroom

Hush room! Shush room!

Sam goes soft by the hay and the loft,

for he's come to hunt the mushroom

Beneath a tree for all to see,

are Golden Goblets growing free

Sam kneels down on the damp old ground,

he's about to wolf the mushroom

Hush room! Shush room!

With a bark and a bang come Grip and Fang!

and a Wolf to guard the mushroom!

Sam stuffs his sack and goes hotfooted back,

with old Farmer Maggot right hot on his track

by the loft and hay while the hounds bark and bay,

for he's got to save the mushroom

Flush room! Rush room!

He flits like a flea does our Sam Gamgee,

for he's got to save the mushroom

Now Bamfurlong is a fine old song,

yet a trap for any whose feet aren't strong

but for cap and stem Sam would go again,

he's about to roast the mushroom

Make room, take room!

Get your own, leave Sam alone,

for it's hot work hunting mushrooms!

Hobbit traditions worth passing on

It's such a wonderful opportunity when you get to teach anything good to children. While we can't all teach mushroom hunting, the idea of hobbit walking-parties and hobbit-walking songs to go with them is such a merry one. Children can come up with wonderful notions when encouraged, and if you're so lucky as to have some little ones to teach at the moment, why not ask them what they like to sing about? There are so many hobbit traditions worth thinking about and cultivating.

I hope you'll enjoy this video short, and the rare glimpse it gives of a great hobbit habit: