(©Shirley Starke 1991)</p>

White Rider, our leader, Mithrandir returned,<br>
O, long have we mourned you and long have we yearned<br>
We've mourned you, more mighty than armies you lead,<br>
But knew you would comfort us and come in our need.</p>

Ride into battle without armor bright,<br>
Clad in robes flowing and so shining white!<br>
O ride into battle without sword or shield,<br>
More mighty the weapons you only can wield.</p>

Light in the darkness, O pride of our land,<br>
Conquer the foe with the flame in your hand!<br>
O help us, inspire us and lead us again:<br>
More mighty are you than great armies of men.</p>

Light of the morn in the shades of the night,<br>
In time of our darkness, 'tis then you shine bright!<br>
O Star of the Evening, O Star of the Morn,<br>
O Star of the Noonday, as bright as the sun!</p>

Sing you a song of the things I have seen,<br>
And some in far places where I've never been,<br>
A song of the darkness, a song of the light,<br>
A song in the praise of the Rider in white.</p>

<b><u>Comments</b></u><br>
Artist Comment: "<i>Song for the White Rider</i> was written in 1968, after I'd read <i>The Lord of the Rings</i> for the first time. The style is merely my own; I did not attempt to imitate the inimitable. It is neither more nor less than a first reaction, sometimes accurately reflecting what I read, sometimes not, but expressing my wonder at the beginnings of an understanding that would grow for a lifetime."<br>
Artist Comment: "The second to the last verse also appears (in Gaelic) in the song "A Sholais na Maidine" which I wrote in 1971 and which appears in the collection <i>Mass of the Archangel</i> and, subsequently, in the song "Angel-Chief of Many Names"."</p>