Southern Cross - 2005 Remaster
Summary
"Southern Cross" is a reflective journey about love, loss, and searching for meaning. The song combines a sense of adventure with deep feelings of longing, showing how love can be both a guiding star and a heavy anchor.
Full Analysis
The overall theme of the song blends exploration and emotional introspection. The narrator is on a literal journey across the ocean while also navigating the complex waters of his relationships. It feels like he's searching for something more than just a physical destination; he's looking for connection, understanding, and perhaps closure. The Southern Cross star constellation symbolizes guidance and hope, which adds depth to his quest.
Verse 1
Got out of town on a boat, goin' to Southern islands
Sailing a reach before a followin' sea
She was makin' for the trades on the outside
And the downhill run to Papeete
In this opening verse, we get a clear sense of adventure. The narrator sets off on a boat to distant islands, suggesting a desire to escape and explore. The mention of sailing implies freedom, but there’s also a hint of directionlessness. He seems to be running away from something. The reference to Papeete, a beautiful destination in Tahiti, contrasts with the emotional weight that follows later in the song.
Chorus
Think about
Think about how many times I have fallen
Spirits are using me, larger voices callin'
What Heaven brought you and me cannot be forgotten
The chorus shifts the focus to the narrator's
Full Lyrics
▼
Sailing a reach before a followin' sea
She was makin' for the trades on the outside
And the downhill run to Papeete
Off the wind, on this heading lie the Marquesas
We've got 80 feet of the waterline nicely making way
In a noisy bar in Avalon, I tried to call you
But on the midnight watch, I realized why twice you ran away
Think about
Think about how many times I have fallen
Spirits are using me, larger voices callin'
What Heaven brought you and me cannot be forgotten
(Around the world) I have been around the world
(Lookin') Lookin' for that woman, girl
(Who knows, she knows) Who knows love can endure
And you know it will
When you see the Southern Cross for the first time
You understand now why you came this way
'Cause the truth you might be runnin' from is so small
But it's as big as the promise
The promise of a comin' day
So I'm sailing for tomorrow, my dreams are a-dyin'
And my love is an anchor tied to you
Tied with a silver chain
I have my ship and all her flags are a-flyin'
She is all that I have left and music is her name
Think about
Think about how many times I have fallen
Spirits are using me, larger voices callin'
What Heaven brought you and me cannot be forgotten
(I've been around the world) I have been around the world
(Lookin') Lookin' for that woman girl
Who knows love can endure
And you know it will
And you know it will (Yes)
So we cheated and we lied and we tested
And we never failed to fail
It was the easiest thing to do
You will survive being bested
Somebody fine will come along, make me forget about loving you
In the Southern Cross