The Ballad of Gil-Galad
In Lindon far beyond the hills,
Fore beaten down to Sauron's wills,
Seven rivers run the green
And through the woods the King was seen.
Mounted upon a steed most fair,
The soft wind playing with his hair,
Gil Galad raced across the land-
Aeglos his spear was in his hand.
Ereinion, why must it be,
That darkness comes to swallow thee?
This crippling fear, this bleeding night,
But by your lead we off to fight.
Elendil, man of strength and pow'r,
His sons and he, they would not cower
From Sauron's might, and armies fell,
For the blood of Numenor ran well.
Elros' heart pumped through his wrist,
Fire of Narsil was in his fist.
Elendil, father, husband, son,
Friend of Gil-Galad, Shining One.
Ereinion, why must it be,
That darkness comes to swallow thee?
This crippling fear, this bleeding night,
But by your lead we off to fight.
To Dagorlad, to Dagorlad,
Led by the High King Gil Galad.
Elves, Men together, one last chance-
But Silvans refused Noldor's glance.
Oropher burned by dragon's breath,
Two thirds of Silvans lost to death.
Elrond, Cirdan, Isildur, Elendil,
And Gil-Galad met upon that hill.
Narya, Vilya, Elven rings strong,
Now placed in Elrond's fingers long.
'Do not weep, my son, and do not cry'
'But don't you know you are going to die?!'
'Be strong, the only son of mine.
Be strong, for lives are on the line.
Return to Rivendell, have some peace;
I think you deserve that, at least.'
And Círdan, Shipwright of the West,
Held Elrond closely to his breast
And let the Elf child weep as though
He were but an infant so.
Ereinion, why must it be,
That darkness comes to swallow thee?
This crippling fear, this bleeding night,
But by your lead we off to fight.
The two kings both of Elves and Men
Met on Mt Doom. The fires then
Were scorching, burning, no relief,
And Sauron came, to disbelief.
Though Elendil was thrust aside,
The Elf King did not try to hide.
Facing the Dark Lord down alone,
The rage in his eyes clearly shone
Sauron trembled, then battle fought,
And outside Elrond felt the hot;
The fire of Annatar's black'nd hand-
And Gil Galad made his final stand.
Ereinion, why must it be,
That darkness comes to swallow thee?
This crippling fear, this bleeding night,
But by your lead we off to fight.
There was no body, no remain,
Only the Dark Lord, proud and fain.
But before he burned, he chanced to see,
Isildur, standing, now to free
The wicked ring from evil's hand
To release the poor and darkened land.
Ereinion, why must it be,
That darkness comes to swallow thee?
This crippling fear, this bleeding night,
But by your lead we off to fight.