Westward Bound
A song of the Gray Pilgrim, derived from the Red Book of the West, as translated by J.R.R. Tolkien
Author's note: Technically, this piece is filk, so you're supposed to sing it, but you may have to make your own tune.
From ever-joyful Western lands
I came to hither shores
To body old, and woes untold
To toil, and pain, and more
To lonesome stand against the dark –
And counted myself blessed
So why do stars now call me far
With voices of the West?
Be thee silent, shining ones –
Let me see my labors done
Three hundred lives of men and more
I was the Pilgrim Grey
And I knew grief, and sweet belief
And night, and breaking day
And I'm no longer pure, nor free
Too much have seen my eyes
But from wrath's fire and dark desire
I could myself more wise
Distant, lovely, dreaming shores
Call no more, nay, call no more
At first I gave them pity, yet
'Tis less than they deserved
now friends have I, who lived and died
this cause of mine to serve
I love the children of this land
As if they were my own
But once my light drives back the night
I will Westward sail alone
Homeward calling, far away
I will come, but not this day
Now war is come upon the East
And aid comes not from West
And all regret I must forget
And look not to my rest
Would that I were upon the ship
That Westward seaways roam –
Yet trust, instead I guard this land
As if it were my home
Morning rising, triumph found
I am Westward, Westward bound
~~End~~