In 2003, Michael sang in a recording of a song planned for the soundtrack of the final film of the Lord of the Rings series, to be used near the film’s conclusion. The recording is quite beautiful and also features Chanticleer, the multiple Grammy-winning men's a capella group. It was composed by Maria Danly and recorded at Skywalker Ranch, with a small orchestra of eight cellos, an English Horn, and a pennywhistle.

For business reasons unrelated to the music’s artistic merit, the song was not used in the movie. At the urging of a number of those involved who felt that the music was too beautiful to remain unheard, an excerpt of the song was recently allowed "out of the vault." At some point in the future, the full song may be remixed and appear on an album, perhaps a future Chanticleer album. It is also possible that it will never be released in full.

At the present time, the excerpt -- which features Michael in one verse and Chanticleer in a repeat of that verse – is available for listening. Just click on the link below. The song is titled “Frodo’s Farewell (West of the Moon).”

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FRODO'S FAREWELL

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THE LYRICS

(from the “Grey Havens” chapter of “Return of the King”)

 “It was evening, and the stars were glimmering in the eastern sky as they

passed the ruined oak and turned and went on down the hill between the

hazel-thickets. Sam was silent, deep in his memories. Presently he became

aware that Frodo was singing softly to himself, singing the old

walking-song, but the words were not quite the same.

“Still round the corner there may wait

A new road or a secret gate;

And though I oft have passed them by,

A day will come at last when I

Shall take the hidden paths that run

West of the Moon, East of the Sun.”