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An Intrepretation of the Lyrics to Enya's "Exile"

[Scene: the shores of Arvernien, south of Nimbrethil, as the teen-age 
Elrond and Elros tearfully hug their father Earendil goodbye (knowing that 
they might never see him again), as he steps aboard his ship and begins his 
desperate voyage to Valinor, to seek the aid of the Valar for Beleriand, 
which has been over-run by the armies of Morgoth] 
 
Cold the Northern winds           (the winds from Anfauglith) 
In December mornings              (the "December" of The First Age) 
Cold is the cry that rings        (the mourning of the Elves) 
From this far distant shore       (looking West to Valinor) 
 
Winter has come too late,         (the destruction of Beleriand) 
too close beside me.              (too close to death) 
How, then, can I chase away       (with no-one to help)  
all these fears deep inside me?   (fearing complete annihilation) 
 
I'll wait the signs to come;      (hoping that Earendil can convince...) 
I'll find a way;                  (... the Valar to help Middle Earth...) 
I will wait the time to come;     (... and waiting to see what happens...) 
I'll find a way home.             (... after he sets sail.) 
 
My light shall be the moon,       (Earendil's voyage...) 
and my path, the ocean;           (... across the ocean...) 
my guide, the morning star,       (... with the silmaril on his brow...) 
as I sail home to you.            (... sailing home to Valinor.) 
 
I'll wait the signs to come;      (hoping that Earendil can convince...) 
I'll find a way;                  (... the Valar to help Middle Earth...) 
I will wait the time to come;     (... and waiting to see what happens...) 
I'll find a way home.             (... after he sets sail.) 
 
[jump ahead 3 ages, to the early Fourth Age, as Sam, Merry, and Pippin 
stand at The Gray Havens, watching Frodo's ship slowly dwindling into the 
west] 
 
Who then, can warm my soul?       (Frodo, seeking healing...) 
who can quell my passion?         (... and peace...) 
and of these dreams, a boat;      (... sailing from The Gray Havens...) 
I will sail home to you.          (... sailing home to Valinor.)

Written Sunday April 18, 1999 by Robbie Hatley.

Last updated Thursday March 1, 2018.

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