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Silver Ships Of Andilar - Townes Van Zandt

Of those that sailed the silver ships

From Andilar I am the last

The deeds that rang our youthful dreams

It seems shall go undone

North for the shores of Valinor

Our bows and crimson sails were made

Our captains were strong our lances long

And our liege the holy king

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 afire and glorious eyes

We pledged our mission be

The clime from mild to bitter ran

The wind from fair to fierce did blow

Oath and prayer did turn to thoughts

Of homes left far behind

Longed every man for some glimpse of land

And the host that did await us there

But each new day brought only a sea

And sky of ice and gray

Thanks give no word 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

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

The sky did howl 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 soldiers denied their battle plain

On comrades soon must turn

So one by one we died alone

Some by hunger some by steel

Everybodies froze where they did fall

Their souls unsanctified

Until only another and I were left

Then just before his flame did fail

We shone ourselves brothers-in-arms

To serve the holy king

Perhaps this shall reach Andilar

Although I know not how it can

For once again he's hurled his wind

Upon the silver prow

But if it should my words are these

Arise young men fine ships to build

And set them north for Valinor

Neath standards proud as fire