The song was conceived as a bittersweet Elvish lament sung by Galadriel for those who have sailed across the Sundering Sea. Several phrases from the song are taken from the last chapter of The Return of the King.
In the commentaries and documentaries accompanying the extended DVD edition of the film, director Peter Jackson explains that the song wasn't inspired by Frodo, but by the premature death from cancer of young 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 has five different versions, in addition to the version used in the film (with the orchestral ending). Promos were made available in late November 2003.
The song won the Oscar for Best Original Song at the 76th Academy Awards, one of the film's eleven wins. Lennox also performed the song live at the ceremony.
It also won a Grammy Award at the 47th Grammy Awards for Best Song Written for Visual Media.
Into the West
Annie Lennox Lyrics
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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
Annie Lennox's song "Into the West" is a poignant ballad that speaks of death and the afterlife with a sense of calmness, acceptance, and hope. The first stanza urges the weary soul to lay down and rest, for the night is falling and the journey has come to an end. The second stanza consoles and reassures the frightened soul in asking why they weep and tells them that soon their fears will pass away, and they will be safe in the arms of the singer. The third stanza talks about what lies ahead by painting a picture of the horizon, the sea, and the moon, letting the listener know that the ships have come to take them home.
The fourth stanza speaks of the afterlife, where all will turn to silver glass, and a light on the water will guide all souls that pass. The fifth stanza acknowledges the fading of hope into the world of night, but the sixth and final stanza invites the listener to remember that white shores are calling, and they will meet again, safe and sound. The song seems to say that while death may be a scary thing, it is ultimately an unburdening that frees one from the troubles and sufferings of life, and that one will be reunited with their loved ones in a place where all pains are healed.
Line by Line Meaning
Lay down
Rest your head
Your sweet and weary head
Your head, tired and in need of rest
The night is falling
The day is ending and darkness is coming
You have come to journey's end
Your journey has finally come to an end
Sleep now
Close your eyes and rest
And dream of the ones who came before
Think of those who have passed away before you
They are calling
They are asking for you
From across the distant shore
From a place far away
Why do you weep?
Why are you crying?
What are these tears upon your face?
Why do you have tears on your face?
Soon you will see
You will understand soon
All of your fears will pass away
All of the things that scare you will disappear
Safe in my arms
I will keep you safe
You're only sleeping
You're just taking a nap
What can you see
What is visible to you
On the horizon?
Far in the distance?
Why do the white gulls call?
What is the reason for the seagulls' cries?
Across the sea
Over the ocean
A pale moon rises
A faint moon is coming up
The ships have come to carry you home
The boats are here to take you away
And all will turn
Everything will transform
To silver glass
To something that appears like silver glass
A light on the water
A glow on the surface of the sea
All Souls pass
All of the spirits fade away
Hope fades
Belief in something better is disappearing
Into the world of night
Into the darkness
Through shadows falling
Through areas of darkness forming
Out of memory and time
Beyond recall and without time
Don't say
Don't talk about it
We have come now to the end
The conclusion is now here
White shores are calling
Pure beaches are calling
You and I will meet again
We will meet again
And you'll be here in my arms
You will be here with me
Just sleeping
Just taking a nap
Grey ships pass
Gray ships move by
Into the West
Moving towards the West
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Howard Shore, Philippa Boyens, Annie Lennox
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind