Harbor

I just saw Vienna Teng in concert tonight in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It was awesome. Anyway, she did this song and explained its meaning. She said she was going through the list of names of those who had purchased tickets ahead of time and recognized the name of a man who wrote an essay that inspired her to write this song. He was actually in the audience at tonight's concert. His essay was written about his daughter, and Vienna dedicated it to them tonight.

This song seems the polar opposite of Vienna's "Tower".
The person in this song is more than willing at being a companion to another, wishing them well as they go about their day, and comforting them on the return home. Perhaps she's a wife, perhaps a mother. Perhaps he's a husband, a father. This songs suggests that happy, positive relationship we all want. Well wishing as we set off on our day, and comfort in our triumphs and defeats at the end of the day.

This is probably my favorite song by Vienna. It's absolutely beautiful. She's very talented!

This song is amazing.

It's basically about loyalty in a relationship and how she will never abandon her love.

you've got a journey to make there's your horizon to chase so go far beyond where we stand no matter the distance I'm holding your hand

I Love that verse.... it just sums up how someone takes the back seat so their lover can follow their ambitions and dreams...but they do this willingly. Well thats how it makes me feel.

Another amazingly written/sung song... i love it

this song is absolutely beautiful. my (womens) a cappella group just decided to arrange it, which should be a challenge.

as my friend said - she's vanessa carlton, but 'right' and not cheesy.

Sail your sea, meet your storm, all I want is to be your harbor. The light in me will guide you home, all I want is to be your harbor... so beautiful. She sings it with such abandon... this is how I want to be with everyone I know.

Hmmm...this might be changing the subject, but has anyone else noticed what an odd rhythm the song has? I try to follow a steady beat in my head, but it always like...changes! What the heck time signature is it IN anyway?

Back on topic, it is a very good song though. Haha.

ingiboo.

the song is in 5/4.

I'm chewing on the metaphor here. (Not denying what people have said above, but I'd like to dig deeper on this one.)

This song talks a lot about blurry edges: Dawn, thinning fog, water on water, "the boundary you leave behind."

That's not just aspirations, that's all the scary bits of personal growth and any movement outside of one's safe space, trusting that leaving the safety line won't kill you. It's hard to trust that "the answers are out there in the drowning deep."

A harbor, on the other hand, is specifically both a boundary and a home. It's a much more freeing metaphor than an anchor. She's not tying anyone down, she's offering a space and a beacon so there's a point to call home when going out into the big unknown.

My partner and I do this for each other, and it has nothing to do with sacrifice. We all have journeys, and all but a few of us need a beacon, a safe retreat available if the water gets too deep.