The time had come after all this. The passing of the three rings, first with the destruction of the One and the reshaping of Middle Earth and then their physical passing out of Middle Earth, sailing the Straight Road for the last time, the official commencement of the age of man. In fact an age that had very much started in the days of the War of the Ring, but was affirmed with the removal of Sauron and the rapid fading of the ring-centred powers of the High Elves. The world had lost its magical extremes and soon would be sundered from them.
And so to the vision of the final procession into the Havens, ring-bearers former and current, ready to cross that one-way line to Valinor. The destiny of all those ship-bound was to, in some way, sacrifice their lives in Middle Earth for the prospect of finally finishing Sauron. But this came with the known price of ending the long-time connection ‘between the worlds’ of Valinor and Middle Earth; leaving the earthly realm solely to mortals - for men are bred to grow.
lyrics
THE PASSING OF THE ELVES
I tell of the passing of the Elves
First were here then faded away
As men we think first of ourselves
Won't get some wisdom in the way
Three fatal unions, human and elf
Faced with the devil's favourite choice
To live for the future or live for the self
They chose with a knowing, confident voice
Oceans beckoned constantly
The Havens waiting for the sign
Three rings fading, the fourth age raging
Time to cross the one-way line
Time to cross that one-way line
Long ago they'd come ashore
From Valinor, forever young
To wrest back the jewels proud Morgoth wore
They stayed to keep the world in sun
Now they are thin, maybe gone (just light)
Faded in spirit, shadows just there
The songs of the ages, still there are songs
They were the light in total despair
Oceans beckoned constantly
The Havens waiting for the sign
Three rings fading, the fourth age raging
Time to cross the one-way line
Time to cross that one-way line
They are the wonders of their time, Rivendell, Lothlorien
Now but a shadow of their prime, the third age is ebbing slow
And men are bred to grow, men are bred to grow
Elrond with Vilya, heart of the three
Galadriel shimmers, in Nenya's white light
Gandalf , fire burning, red Narya we see
And Frodo and Samwise, an incredible sight
With Cirdan and Bilbo, who gave up the rings
The humblest are most truly blessed
The last great elves are heading west
The last great elves are heading west
The last great elves have all gone west
The last great elves they've all gone west
The last great elves they've all gone west
The last great elves they've all gone west
The second EP from Northern Irish singer-songwriter Bea Stewart runs from gentle folk to pillowy pop ballads, all perfectly executed. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 15, 2024
Percussionist and sound artist Riccardo La Foresta joins musician and producer James Ginzburg for a fluid collaborative experiment. Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 4, 2024
Stirring Americana set to acoustic arrangements and topped by the legendary Alice Gerrard’s lovely, world-wise voice. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 23, 2023
Michelle Stodart’s folk music captures hope in melancholy, addressing the transformational aspects of the most challenging times. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 3, 2023