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

    naughteragain, yes, I later found out that kezz was absolutely right and Suzanne really did mean this as a retelling of the story from the female perspective. And still while I think it's an interesting fact and I admire Suzanne for her approaching such subjects and shining a different light on them. I think that still the importance and brilliance of this song lie in the emotion and the way people can relate to it. In the end it kind of seems that the myth is yet another creative means for her. My opinion is to focus more on the lyrics of her song, but still recognise and give credit to what exactly she was inspired by. Afterall, she is a true artist, one that does not get tangled up in her influences, but instead she uses them to create her own art.

    kristina_kson May 26, 2007   Link

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