Townes Van Zandt - The Silver Ships Of Andilar

Capo: 4th fret

[Intro]
G Am Am Am G Am Am Am G

[Verse 1]
Am
Well, of those that sailed the silver ships
Dm F Am
From Andilar, I am the last
C
And the deeds that rang our youthful dreams
G Am
It seems shall go undone
Am
Well, north for the shores of Valinor
Dm F Am
Our bows and crimson sails were made
C
And our captains were strong and our lances long
G Am
And our liege the holy king

[Verse 2]
Am
Well, the hills did turn from green to blue
Dm F Am
And vanish as on the decks, we watched
C G
But every thought in that noble company
Am
Was forward bound
Am
To the lifeless plains of Valinor
Dm F Am
Where reigns the dark and frozen one
C
And with tongues afire and glorious eyes
G Am G
We pledged our mission be

[Verse 3]
Am
Well the clime from mild to bitter ran
Dm F Am
And the winds from fair to fierce, did blow
C
Oath and prayer did turn to thoughts
G Am
Of homes left far behind
Am
Longed every man for some glimpse of land
Dm F Am
And the host that did await us there
C
But each new day brought only a sea
G Am G
And sky of ice and gray

[Verse 4]
Am
Thanks give, no words can drag you through
Dm F Am
Those endless weeks, our ships did roll
C
Thanks give, you cannot see those sails
G Am
And faces bleach and draw

Ice we drank and leather did chew
Dm F Am
For the oceans are unwholesome there
C
And the dead that slid into the seas
G Am
Did freeze before our eyes

[Verse 5]
Am
Then a wind did fling the ships apart
Dm F Am
Each one to go her separate way
C
And the sky did howl and the hull did groan
G Am
For how long, I do not know
Am
And what men were left when the winds had ceased
Dm F Am
Grew dull and low of countenance
C
For a soldier denied his battle plain
G Am
On a comrade soon must turn

[Verse 6]
Am
And so one by one, we died alone
Dm F Am
Some by hunger, some by steel
C
And the bodies froze where they did fall
G Am
Their souls un-sanctified

Until only another and I were left
Dm F Am
Then just before his flame did fail
C
We were shone ourselves brothers-in-arms
G Am G
To serve the holy king

[Verse 7]
Am
Well, perhaps this shall reach Andilar
Dm F Am
Although I know not how it can
C
For once again, he’s hurled his wind
G Am
Upon the silver prow

But if it should, my words are these
Dm F Am
“Arise, young men, fine ships to build
C
And set them north for Valinor
G Am
‘Neath standards proud as fire”