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



Lyrics submitted by merchantpierce

Track duration: 05:48

"Into the West" as written by Annie Lennox, Howard Leslie Shore, Frances Rosemary Walsh

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Into the West song meanings
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34 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:Actually, someone should have said before, this song is about the elves going in ships to the west... its in the book and in different chapters Legolas talks about the gulls and the sea many times..
    Flagged Kittiemeeon October 02, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The soft crossing into death bathed in a hazy autumnal glow, a loving hand holding ours' gently all the way like a caring parent, soon to be back home again at last like slowly waking from a vivid dream...

    ...This one makes me cry like a lil girl sometimes too :(

    The grand curtain call at the end of LOTR, with all the stately character illustrations was just beautiful.Even the villains seemed somehow dignified. Such an appropriate note to end on, like a storybook closing.
    Flag Hungryforalynchinon November 12, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:I feel like this is what god sounds like.
    Flag heyitscottonon August 06, 2011   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:Somehow I get the feeling that the "narrator" in the song, could be generally considered some sort of an celestial being. It struck me that "it" could be Death itself, kinda like how Death is portrayed by Brad Pitt in "Meet Joe Black" (in the end of the movie). Alas without the whole eerie notion that Death usually is connected to, like the Grim Reaper, a frightful cloaked skeleton with a scythe coming to take you away from your loved ones.
    More like, just plain and simple what it really is. That there really isn't anything to be afraid of, once you have conceded and accepted your passing, and open to what lies beyond. A possible warm and welcoming greeter on the other side when your journey in life has come to an end. By that I'm referring to the whole two first verses.
    Those "who came before" and who "are calling from across the distant shore" could simply be your ancestors, family, relatives and friends calling you to come join them, once you are at the point of no return (ie. when you no longer can be saved by conventional means... Fatal wounds etc.).
    The ships that "have come to carry you home", and the "white shores" that "are calling" are, in my opinion, describing the journey of the passing itself. A very nice symoblization. I don't think other means would seem as fitting. Ie. picture the song symbolizing the means of the journey as "cars" instead of "ships", and "freeway" or "interstate" instead of "sea"; and "light on the tarmac" instead of "water" :)
    Flag Kekik79on November 18, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This is one of the most beautiful songs about death I have ever heard.
    Flag hulxteron May 12, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this song is the only song that has ever made me cry, it is simply beautiful.
    it is supposed to be a bittersweet lament sung in the perspective of galadriel about those sailing "into the west" aka the undying lands.
    and yes i think it is partially about that director who has currently slipped my mind, so it could be about life after death in heaven.
    it was such a perfect song forthe end of lord of the rings.
    Flag peter110022on October 06, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment: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.
    Flag lastinfidelon July 26, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Responding to Ashley765, i don't think that "dawn will turn to silver glass" means freezing, and the end. When I see those lyrics, I think of the color of the ocean. Dawn switching to silver glass means the transition from day to night (silver glass being color of the moon hitting the water). So in a way it is relating to the songs theme from of passing away and dying. Its a beautiful use of symbols.
    Flag woolfeatheron December 09, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Responding to Ashley765, i don't think that "dawn will turn to silver glass" means freezing, and the end. When I see those lyrics, I think of the color of the ocean. Dawn switching to silver glass means the transition from day to night (silver glass being color of the moon hitting the water). So in a way it is relating to the songs theme from of passing away and dying. Its a beautiful use of symbols.
    Flag woolfeatheron December 09, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:So beautiful, very touching song and I love the symbolic lyrics.

    Does anyone have a clue what the 'dawn will turn to silver glass' is referring to? That it will be 'frozen', aka the end?
    Flag Ashley765on November 18, 2007   Link

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