Lyrics Townes Van Zandt – 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

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

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