Symon Silver Tongue

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Symon Silver Tongue
Symon Silver Tongue.jpg
Symon, by Amok ©

Alias Symon Silver Tongue
Culture Westeros
Born Westeros[1]
Died In 299 ACKing's Landing
Books

Symon Silver Tongue is a singer and harper.[2]

Appearance

Symon is short, with thin brown balding hair, pink cheeks, and small pot belly.[3][2]

Symon Silver Tongue wears a doeskin jerkin.[2] An adequate singer,[3] he uses a twelve-stringed woodharp.[2]

History

Symon learned to play the harp from an old master who believed each man has his song.[2]

Recent Events

A Clash of Kings

When Tyrion Lannister discretely visits his mistress, Shae, at the manse near the Iron Gate one day, he hears music and then someone singing within. Symon Silver Tongue betrays that he recognizes Tyrion, addressing him as "My lord Hand", Tyrion threatens the singer into secrecy. Tyrion allows Shae to continue having Symon sing for her, as long as he does not spread tales in pot-shops.[3]

A Storm of Swords

Symon is hired by Lady Tanda Stokeworth, on Shae's advice, to calm Lollys Stokeworth when her baby kicks. Symon is well informed about what will go on at the wedding feast for King Joffrey I Baratheon and Margaery Tyrell. His detailed account of the wonders planned for the feast prompts Shae to ask Tyrion for permission to attend the feast, which Tyrion objects to because it is not safe for her. Tyrion orders Bronn to find Symon before anyone else does.[4]

When Tyrion and Symon meet at a winesink, Tyrion advises the singer to depart King's Landing for the Free Cities. Symon responds by threatening to sing his new song about Tyrion and Shae to Tyrion's sister, Queen Regent Cersei Lannister, or father, Lord Tywin Lannister. Symon will allow himself to be bribed into silence if Tyrion finds a way to let him participate in the tournament of singers that will be held at the wedding feast. If he is not allowed to perform for Joffrey, Symon will perform his new song in common winesinks. Tyrion tells Symon he will arrange it and Bronn will contact him. After Symon departs, Tyrion gives instructions to Bronn to instead make Symon disappear. Bronn refers to a pot shop in Flea Bottom that makes "a savory bowl of brown" with "all kinds of meat in it".[2]

Tyrion later remembers Symon's song while imprisoned for Joffrey's murder[5] and when he kills Shae.[6]

A Dance with Dragons

While aboard the Selaesori Qhoran, Tyrion confesses to Penny he had Symon killed for writing a song about him.[7]

After joining the Second Sons, Kem mentions to Tyrion that he remembers a potshop in King's Landing that made the best bowl of brown. When he asks Tyrion whether he ever ate a bowl of brown, Tyrion answers that he did once or twice and calls it "singer's stew".[8]

Quotes by Symon

Symon: I am called Symon Silver Tongue, my lord. A player, a singer, a taleteller—
Tyrion: And a great fool.[3]

—Symon and Tyrion Lannister

Very good, my lord. I shall sing the night of King Joffrey's wedding. Should it happen that I am called to court, why, I will want to offer the king my very best compositions, songs I have sung a thousand times that are certain to please. If I should find myself singing in some dreary winesink, though ... well, that would be an apt occasion to try my new song. For hands of gold are always cold, but a woman's hands are warm.[2]

—Symon to Tyrion Lannister

Quotes about Symon

Tyrion: Who is that?
Ibbenese: Fatbelly singer.[3]

Tyrion Lannister and an Ibbenese guard

Tyrion: How well does he sing?
Shae: Better than some. Not so good as others.[3]

In his soft hands he held a twelve-stringed woodharp more deadly than a longsword.[2]

—thoughts of Tyrion Lannister

References