| Nightwish – Turn Loose The Mermaids Lyrics | 13 years ago |
| I apologize, the first sentence was supposed to say "seems to be about", not "seems to about". I was typing this at five in the morning, so please excuse my weariness. | |
| Nightwish – Turn Loose The Mermaids Lyrics | 13 years ago |
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This song, to me, definitely seems to about someone preparing to die. This is my analysis of each verse: A kite above a graveyard grey At the end of the line far far away A child holding on to the magic of birth and awe The kite is long, extending from the person holding it to the graveyard; the distance between the two represents life. This verse also mentions the kite being "far far away" possibly representing how, as children, we think life lasts a long time and death is "far far away" from our thoughts. The kite being so long also represents that no matter how old we get, the child withing remains. "A child holding on to the magic of birth and awe" could also represent how children cling to the thought of long life, or immortality, and the awe of the world around us. Oh, how beautiful it used to be Just you and me far beyond the sea The waters, scarce in motion Quivering still In our youth we find everything entertaining and whimsical, but with age comes wisdom as we learn the world isn't what it seemed before. The "just you and me" part must mean the old man and the mermaid. The two of them being "far beyond the sea" represents their youth and how far they are from dying; also, the mermaid appears to be more than just a mermaid. She could possibly represent memories, emotions, and life itself. "The water scarce in motion quivering still" once again symbolizes the unlikelihood of them dying anytime soon as it is still quivering before them, hesitant to take them. At the end of the river the sundown beams All the relics of a life long lived Here, weary traveler rest your wand Sleep the journey from your eyes "The end of the river" is, as lolzomgz said, the end of the man's life. The sundown beams are also, as lolzomgz said, the sunset: the sun setting upon his life. "All the relics of a life long lived", are all the memories and experiences of a long life: the good and the bad, but all them beautiful as they're relics. The old man is the "weary traveler" and not necessarily weary, but close to dying. A wand can also be a staff, or walking stick, so in this case it just emphasizes the old man's age and his being a "weary traveler". "Sleep the journey from your eyes" is just a fancy way of saying die. Good journey, love, time to go I checked your teeth and warmed your toes In the horizon I see them coming for you In this verse the old man is addressing the mermaid. He's bidding her (his life and memories) farewell, but with joy instead of bitterness. He understands that the mermaid had to return to the sea eventually, that he had to lay his life and memories to rest, and let's go in acceptance of this fact. Checking her teeth and warming her toes is just him making sure all is well, and as he wants it. What's coming in the horizon could be anything. I think "they" are the other mermaids. The mermaid grace, the forever call Beauty in spyglass on an old man's porch The mermaids you turn loose brought back your tears "The mermaid grace" is the beauty of life, and "the forever call" is the call of death. The "beauty in spyglass on an old man's porch" could be the mermaid in the old man's eyes as he watches her leave, or him imagining her after she's departed. Letting go of the mermaid is both painful and a relief. He's sad to see something so beautiful leave, but glad to let go of the burden. This is what brings him to tears; tears of both joy and sadness. I hope this was helpful, but if you have a different opinion by all means voice it. I'd love to hear what this song means to other people. |
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