Into the West

Into the West
Song by Fran Walsh, Howard Shore and Annie Lennox
Language	English

Into the West is a song written by Fran Walsh, Howard Shore and Annie Lennox, and performed by Lennox for Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.

It was the nineteenth track of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and formed part of Days of the Ring, track seven of disc four of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - The Complete Recordings.

The song was conceived as a bittersweet Elven lament for those who have sailed across the Sundering Seas.

In the commentaries and documentaries accompanying the extended DVD edition of the movie, director Peter Jackson explained that the song was partially inspired by the premature death from cancer of 17-year-old New Zealand filmmaker Cameron Duncan whose work had impressed Jackson and his team. The first public performance of the song was at Duncan's funeral.

The song won the Academy Award for Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song) at the 76th Academy Awards, one of the movie's eleven Oscars.

The Return of the King - Original Soundtrack
A Storm Is Coming Hope and Memory Minas Tirith The White Tree The Steward of Gondor Minas Morgul The RIde of the Rohirrim Twilight and Shadow Cirith Ungol Andúril Shelob's Lair Ash and Smoke The Fields of the Pelennor Hope Fails The Black Gate Opens The End of All Things The Return of the King The Grey Havens Into the West

Lyrics

Lay down
Your sweet and weary head
Night is falling
You have come to journey's end

Sleep now
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

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
Grey ships pass
Into the West