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The silver ships of Andilar
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by Townes Van Zandt
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Of those that sailed the silver ships
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from Andilar I am the last
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The deeds that rang our youthful dreams
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it seems shall go undone
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North for the shores of Valinor
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our bows and crimson sails were made
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Our captains were strong, our lances long
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and our liege the holy king
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The hills did turn from green to blue
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and vanish as on the decks we watched
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But every thought in that noble company
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was forward bound
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To the lifeless plains of Valinor
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where reigns the dark and frozen one
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And with tongues afire and glorious eyes
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we pledged our mission be
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The clime from mild to bitter ran
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the wind from fair to fierce did blow
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Oath and prayer did turn to thoughts
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of homes left far behind
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Longed every man for some glimpse of land
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and the host that did await us there
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But each new day brought only a sea
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and sky of ice and gray
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Thanks give no word can drag you through
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those endless weeks our ships did roll
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Thanks give you cannot see those sails
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and faces bleach and draw
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Ice we drank and leather did chew
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for the oceans are unwholesome there
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The dead that slid into the seas
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did freeze before our eyes
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Then a wind did fling the ships apart
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each one to go her separate way
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The sky did howl, the hull did groan
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for how long I do not know
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And what men were left when the winds had ceased
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grew dull and low of countenance
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For soldiers denied their battle plain
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on comrades soon must turn
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So one by one we died alone
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some by hunger, some by steel
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Bodies froze where they did fall
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their souls unsanctified
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Until only another and I were left
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then just before his flame did fail
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We shone ourselves brothers-in-arms
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to serve the holy king
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Perhaps this shall reach Andilar
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although I know not how it can
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For once again he's hurled his wind
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upon the silver prow
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But if it should my words are these
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arise young men fine ships to build
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And set them north for Valinor
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'neath standards proud as fire
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The silver ships of Andilar
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Townes Van Zandt |