Silver Ships of Andilar

Of those that sailed the silver ships

From Andilar I am the last

And the deeds that rang our youthful dreams

It seems shall go undone

On north for the shores of Valinor

Our bows and crimson sails were made

Our captains were strong and our lances long

And our liege the holy king

Well the hills did turn from green to blue

And vanish as on the decks, we watched

But every thought in that noble company

Was forward bound

To the lifeless plains of Valinor

Where reigns the dark and frozen one

And with tongues a-fire and glorious eyes

We pledged our mission be

For the clime from mild to bitter ran

And the winds from fair to fierce did blow

Oath and prayer did turn to thoughts

Of homes left far behind

And longed every man for some glimpse of land

And the host that did await us there

Ah, but each new day brought only a sea

And sky of ice and gray

Thanks give, no words can drag you through

Those endless weeks our ships did roll

Thanks give, you cannot see those sails

And faces bleach and draw

Ice we drank and leather did chew

For the oceans are unwholesome there

And the dead that slid into the seas

Did freeze before our eyes

Then a wind did fling the ships apart

Each one to go her separate way

And the sky did howl and the hull did groan

For how long, I do not know

And what men were left when the winds had ceased

Grew dull and low of countenance

For a soldier denied his battle plain

On a comrade soon must turn

Ah, so one-by-one we died alone

Some by hunger, some by steel

And the bodies froze where they did fall

Their souls unsanctified

Until only another and I were left

Then just before his flame did fail

We were shone ourselves brothers-in-arms

To serve the holy king

Perhaps this shall reach Andilar

Although I know not how it can

Oh once again, he's hurled his wind

Upon the silver prow

Oh if it should, my words are these:

"Arise, young men, fine ships to build

"Set them north for Valinor

"Beneath standards proud as fire