| The Waterboys – Fisherman's Blues Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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The first verse describes the longing for the freedom you can experience out at sea, where the dry land (and your everyday life) are far away. The second verse describes the longing for the freedom you experience on a fast train carrying you away from everyday life and running so fast that you cannot (do not have to) interact with the surroundings it is going through. The use of the two different metaphors in the two verses demonstrates that the song is not really about being a fisherman or riding on trains. It is about striving for freedom by leaving everyday life, routine, and bad memories behind. The third verse adds a VERY beautiful twist to this idea: The narrator of the songs knows that he will find freedom on that day when he meets his new love ("I will take thee in my hand"). So you cannot find freedom from bad experiences in the past by runnig AWAY from something (e.g. by boat or by train). You can only find this freedom by traveling TOWARDS something new and good. The chorus doesn't really fit with the first two verses: Someone travelling alone, in a rough environment, and away from bad things - why should this person sing: "With light in my head, with you in my arms"??? However, after the third verse the chorus suddenly makes sense: Only by going for new ideas ("light") and new love you can really find freedom from your troublesome past (and all the drugs you used, of course). :-) |
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