In the East

There is a Shadow

That will not stand aside

By grey harbors

Peregrin Took does abide

Northward

There is Isengard

The tower of the gale

Going South

Lies Lothlorien

The starting of our tale

While eastward

Stretches shadow,

Where he is held at bay

For the space

Of one more second

Or perhaps of one more day

Guard of the Citadel!

You are mighty and tall

Tell me how courage you keep

With darkness beyond this strong wall?

From Lorien

They went east

Towards the singing of Rohan's bard

And then

To Minas Tirith

The city of the Guard

There Pippin,

Clad in black and white

His life and honor swore upon

That he

The hobbit short

Would serve, and then he sang a song

While eastward

Stretches shadow,

Where he is held at bay

For the space

Of one more second

Or perhaps of one more day

Guard of the Citadel!

You are mighty and tall

How do courage you keep

With darkness beyond this strong wall?

Dark the night

And dark the heart

Conceiving this awful siege

But through it all

The warrior stands tall

And prepares to protect his liege

What is this,

Guard of the Citadel?

Why are the torches alight?

Why is the Steward

Carrying two lives

To a grave that is yet uncertain?

While eastward

Stretches shadow,

Where he is held at bay

For the space

Of one more second

Or perhaps of one more day

Guard of the Citadel!

You are mighty and tall

How do courage you keep

With darkness beyond this strong wall?

Released from

The service of a madman

Why does this not bring joy?

For men's life is at stake

Beyond this strong gate

And this man is yet a boy

Mithrandir!

The cry rings

And courage it brings

For Gandalf

Can help Faramir

Mithrandir! The cry rings

While eastward

Stretches shadow,

Where he is held at bay

For the space

Of one more second

Or perhaps of one more day

Guard of the Citadel!

You are mighty and tall

How do courage you keep

With darkness beyond this strong wall?

But still

The dawn comes

And with it new life

For Rohan

Has brought troops

That they may help end this strife

And the gate

Though broken

Is proud and tall

And proud

Standing strong

Is this stony wall

While eastward

Stretches shadow,

Where he is held at bay

For the space

Of one more second

Or perhaps of one more day

Guard of the Citadel!

You are mighty and tall

How do courage you keep

With darkness beyond this strong wall?

Stony roads

That lead afar

To the gate of Mordor strong

Lines of armies

Stretching farther

Farther than ever and long

A raging battle

Both in and out

And Pippin made sure of the troll

The Ring

Was dropped

Though high was the toll

And Eastward

Stretches light now

For the Shadow has now fallen

The price high

And steep, for it

Was many lives of men

Guard of the Citadel!

Your courage I see

And salute the strength you have given

For now there is much more of me.