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The Ranger
by Andelin
(Sung to Kenny Rodgers’ "The Gambler")
Sung by Frodo.
On a cold winter evening,
As we sailed down Anduin,
I sat up with a Ranger;
We were both too wary to sleep.
So we took turns staring
Through the trees into the darkness,
Till boredom overtook us,
And he began to speak.
He said, ‘Son, I’ve made a life
Out of wandering through the wild,
And knowing where the paths were
And places I could hide.
So, if you don’t mind my saying
I can see that you’re exiled;
If you will take me with you,
I’ll give you some advice.’
So I took him for his offer,
And I told him what my plans were.
Then he took his pipe,
And asked me for a light.
And the night got deathly quiet,
And his face lost all expression.
He said, ‘If you’re going to take the Ring, boy,
You’ll need to leave your friends one night.’
You’ve got to know when to keep them
Know when to leave them
Know when to stay with them
Know when to run
Don’t you end your journey
Till you’ve thrown It in the Fire
There’ll be time then for reunions
When your journey’s done.
Ever Ranger knows
That the secret to surviving
Is knowing when to run away,
Knowing when to fight.
‘Cause every man’s a winner,
Or every man’s a loser,
And it really all depends on
The company you keep.
And when he’d finished speaking,
He turned back towards the fire,
Put away his smoking pipe,
As I faded off to sleep.
And somewhere in the darkness,
The Ranger’s words sank deeply;
And in those final words
I knew I away must creep.
You’ve got to know when to keep them
Know when to leave them
Know when to stay with them
Know when to run
Don’t you end your journey
Till you’ve thrown It in the Fire
There’ll be time then for reunions
When your journey’s done.
