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 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(
@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!
You and I seem to have some things in common, at least as regards our reactions to this song!
"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.
"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.
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.
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 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(
@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!
You and I seem to have some things in common, at least as regards our reactions to this song!
"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.
"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.
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.