Into the West

Howard Shore, London Voices, Annie Lennox, London Oratory School Schola, London Philharmonic Orchestra

About Into the West

"Into the West" is a song performed by Annie Lennox, and the end-credit song of the 2003 film The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. It is written by Lennox, Return of the King producer and co-writer Fran Walsh, and composed and co-written by the film's composer Howard Shore. The song plays in full during the closing credits of Return of the King, although instrumental music from the song (which forms the theme of the Grey Havens) plays at other points during the film itself. The song was later covered by New Zealand singers Yulia Townsend and Will Martin and American singer Peter Hollens. In 2014, German a cappella Metal band van Canto performed a cover on their fifth studio album, Dawn of the Brave. 


Year:
2003
5:49
4,230 
#4

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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

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Annie Lennox

Ann "Annie" Lennox, OBE (born 25 December 1954) is a Scottish singer-songwriter, political activist and philanthropist. After achieving minor success in the late 1970s as part of the New Wave band The Tourists, she and fellow musician David A. Stewart went on to achieve major international success in the 1980s as Eurythmics. Lennox is the most recognized female artist at the Brit Awards, winning a total of eight awards. She has also been named the "Brits Champion of Champions". more »

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Written by: Howard Shore, Philippa Boyens, Annie Lennox

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Creation
"Into the West" was co-written by Annie Lennox, Howard Shore, and Fran Walsh. This collaboration came about because of their involvement in "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" movie.
Theme Interpretation
The song is inspired by the death of a young New Zealand filmmaker, Cameron Duncan, who died of cancer in 2003. His death deeply moved Fran Walsh and her partner, LOTR director Peter Jackson, which in turn inspired this heartfelt song.
Film Placement
"Into the West" is the closing song of "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" film. It plays during the sequence when Frodo sails into the Undying Lands, leaving his friends behind.
Award Wining
The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2003. It also won a Golden Globe and Critics' Choice Movie Award in the same category.
Resonance with Story
"Into the West" reflects the theme of mortality and provides a moving farewell to Middle Earth and its characters -- a perfect conclusion for such an epic trilogy.
Legendary Artists
Annie Lennox, a renowned musician and advocate known for her hauntingly beautiful voice, sang "Into the West". Howard Shore, who composed the orchestral music for the whole trilogy, composed the music for this song.
Album Success
The soundtrack album featuring "Into the West" was a great success. It reached number 72 on the Billboard 200, and the song alone peaked at number 14 on the US Adult Contemporary chart.
Moving Performance
Lennox performed "Into the West" live at the 76th Academy Awards in 2004, a performance that was highly praised and remembered.
Memorable Lyrics
The heartfelt and poignant lyrics of "Into the West" are often quoted and cited, such as "Don't you weep, there are no tears in this place" and "What can you see on the horizon? Why do the white gulls call?"
Critical Acclaim
The song has continued to receive critical acclaim years after its release, with critics praising its emotive melody, stirring lyrics, and Lennox's poignant performance.

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