1
Lay down
Your sweet and weary head
The night is falling
You have come to journey's end
Sleep now
And dream of the ones who came before
They are calling
From across the distant shore
Why do you weep?
What are these tears upon your face?
Soon you will see
All of your fears will pass away
Safe in my arms
You're only sleeping
What can you see
On the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea
A pale moon rises
The ships have come to carry you home
And all will turn
To silver glass
A light on the water
All Souls pass
Hope fades
Into the world of night
Through shadows falling
Out of memory and time
Don't say
We have come now to the end
White shores are calling
You and I will meet again
And you'll be here in my arms
Just sleeping
And all will turn
To silver glass
A light on the water
Grey ships pass
Into the West
Your sweet and weary head
The night is falling
You have come to journey's end
Sleep now
And dream of the ones who came before
They are calling
From across the distant shore
Why do you weep?
What are these tears upon your face?
Soon you will see
All of your fears will pass away
Safe in my arms
You're only sleeping
What can you see
On the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea
A pale moon rises
The ships have come to carry you home
And all will turn
To silver glass
A light on the water
All Souls pass
Hope fades
Into the world of night
Through shadows falling
Out of memory and time
Don't say
We have come now to the end
White shores are calling
You and I will meet again
And you'll be here in my arms
Just sleeping
And all will turn
To silver glass
A light on the water
Grey ships pass
Into the West
Lyrics submitted by merchantpierce, edited by king102575
Into the West Lyrics as written by Philippa Boyens Howard Shore
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I feel like this is what god sounds like.
@heyitscotton God speaks through Annie Lennox don't you know that?
I didn't actually know that this song was written in memory of someone who died of cancer... but has always had a personal meaning with me. When my best friend died of leukaemia this was the song that struck out as being so fitting and comforting (it actually comforted me more than my friends and family ever could for some reason) to me that I incorporated the lyrics into some artwork in memory of her. I think that just goes to show how perfect this song really is and that it does the job it was intended for.
Absolutely beautiful...always makes me cry.
this song gives me the chills...
kissme,imcontagious,
No reason why we can't feel like that. Tolkien meant for The Grey Havens to symbolize Heaven, and that makes the song really hit a note for me. Despite how sad I feel listening to this song, I still feel better, more hopeful when I hear it... knowing there's something to look forward to after life.
That's how I feel too...it's this gorgeous bittersweet emotion that wells up when I hear this song. "Across the sea, a pale moon rises - the ships have come to carry you Home." That's the line that gets me every time. We're headed for our own Grey Havens...headed into the West.
This is seriously one of the most beautiful songs ever written. Many elements of this song can be found scattered throughout the Return of the King, from the melody being featured in the most amazing instrumental arrangement to the imagery being described by Gandalf while talking to Pippin...the words(ish) are in the books too. The melody line is featured various times in the soundtrack, with the high note resounding clearly in the brass...french horn, maybe. It's one of the most beautiful and chilling things I've ever heard. Composer of LOTR music=Howard Shore=Genius.
My husband of 17 yrs passed on into paradise just nearly a year to the day, but years ago when we wore out our dvd of the Lord of the Rings, we realized it was much to do of our deep love for hearing Annie sing that heartfelt song. Kenny lost his battle with cancer at only 45 yrs of age and its only now that I know the true meaning of Annies song. It TRUELY came from the heavens to Annie to us. Thank you from all the love and memories in my heart.
I like to think of the song as Elrond talking to his wife Celebrian before she departs for the grey havens. For those of you who don't know the story, Celebrian was the daughter of Galadriel and Celeborn. She had three children with Elrond; Twin boys Eledan and Elohir, and a daughter Arwen. Some time after Arwen's hirth, Celebrian decided to visit her parents in Loth Lorien. While traveling over the Misty Mountains, she is captured and tortured by orcs. She was there for a while before her sons came and rescued her. She was taken to Loth Lorien to heal, but she remained psychologically scarred. She could not remain in Middle Earth, and sailed across the sea to Valinor. This song makes me think of Elrond spending one last night with his wife before she leaves him. Much sadder when you know the story. Such a good song.
@Wiccanbabe Update: I am singing this song at my great grandfather's funeral. We weren't really close, but I think that it's the best I can do for him and the people attending the funeral.
@Wiccanbabe I never knew this. Thank you so much for sharing, i always knew there had to be a story behind this song, it is so powerful and sad. This is the song i plan on having when i pass away, as i know the lyrics will reassure me that there is a beautiful hereafter waiting for me. Blessed Be )O(
You and I seem to have some things in common, at least as regards our reactions to this song!<br /> <br /> "Into the West" reminds me of the parting of Elrond and Celebrían too. Of course, I'm pretty sure that in the context of the film, it's plainly intended to be directed to Frodo (and perhaps, to a lesser extent, Bilbo), but it is easy to see it in different and/or broader terms.<br /> <br /> My brother, sister, and I sang this song, accompanied by my half-sister (she's a professional musician), at my father's memorial service, about a year ago. He was a huge Tolkien fan and had been very impressed by the Peter Jackson films, and he was particularly fond of this song. I can't listen to it anymore without thinking of him. We were very close. He read The Hobbit to me, a chapter or so each night, when I was very little, which contributed greatly to my lifelong love of reading. It also encouraged me to learn to read: I was determined to be able to read along when we continued on to The Lord of the Rings.<br />
This song I heard for the first time on the 20th of December 2003 when I went to see The Lord of the Rings:The Return of the King.I cried so,so much. I had to buy the soundtrack. It means so much to me. I am so glad it won last years Oscar! I always get coldchills when I listen to it.And I cry so hard. This is really my favorite song...exept maybe Only Hope.
no offense but you have a really sick mind. this is a beautiful song and should never be tainted by such a discription
I first heard this song in the theater in 2003, a brief respite for my wife and for me, while we were in Arizona to visit our daughter, in in-patient treatment for an eating disorder that we knew full well could kill her. I had a hard time focusing on the film itself, given that we were up against a monster (named anorexia) in real life... but when this song started playing over the end credits, my tears spilled. Annie Lennox's voice went right through my heart. Imagining an end to the nightmare we were in, loving arms enfolding us, and being carried home again... it seemed like an angel herself was singing to us. Our daughter survived (Thank you, God!), and to this day, I can't hear this song without tears.
@kyle110473 I'm so sorry that that happened to your family and to your daughter. I am an eating disorder survivor myself, and I totally get how this song makes you feel. When I hear it I feel safe and comforted, like it's my mother singing to me. Peace and love to you and you family.