My name is Calypso
And I have lived alone
I live on an island
And I waken to the dawn
A long time ago
I watched him struggle with the sea
I knew that he was drowning
And I brought him into me
Now today
Come morning light
He sails away
After one last night
I let him go.

My name is Calypso
My garden overflows
Thick and wild and hidden
Is the sweetness there that grows
My hair it blows long
As I sing into the wind
My name is Calypso
And I have lived alone
I live on an island
I tell of nights
Where I could taste the salt on his skin

Salt of the waves
And of tears
And though he,pulled away
I kept him here for years
I let him go

My name is Calypso
I have let him go
In the dawn he sails away
To be gone forever more
And the waves will take him in again
But he'll know their ways now
I will stand upon the shore
With a clean heart

And my song in the wind
The sand will sting my feet
And the sky will burn
It's a lonely time ahead
I do not ask him to return
I let him go
I let him go


Lyrics submitted by Novartza, edited by 49ersnut

Calypso Lyrics as written by Suzanne Vega

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Calypso song meanings
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6 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    This song is obviously from the persepective of Calypso, the goddess who rescued Odysseus from drowning in Homer's epic poem the Odyssey. Calypso falls in love with Odysseus, and offers him immortality if he stays with her, but he pines for his home and his wife, and eventually Hermes convinces her to let Odysseus sail home.

    kezzon January 26, 2005   Link

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