A Girl In Port

I think this song might be about something altogether different. I think maybe he's referring to himself as the person who's being used, like he's trying to find the right girl but can't for some reason or another. Take Marie: "She lay on her lawn Spun and alone" "and she don't know who she wants to be and if I knew I'd tell Marie" this seems to imply that he can't have a relationship with Marie because she's too busy trying to find herself.

Then you have Cindy who's "someone's plus one" and "And she's got a story you can't see Well, that's just between that name and Cindy" seems to mean that he can't have a relationship with Cindy because she's already in love with someone else.

And then you have Holly. It seems that Holly is leaving him, and she's telling him in the car and he says "i lost her then, i fell from (high?)".

Last you have him singing how he's "just a (guest*?) I'm not a part" and that "these several years out on the sea made me empty cold and clear pour yourself into me" seems to mean that he has lost all individuality and is only meant to be used by other people. He's alone.

this is the best i could get from the two live recordings i have...amazing song!

pretty song.

i love the new album.

pretty song.

i love the new album.

Marie's gone blonde And lost a stone She lay on her lung

i think it's lawn instead of lung

Marie's gone blonde And lost a stone She lay on her lung

i think it's lawn instead of lung

guh, the tone of this song is so gorgeous. I love the imagery "Let fall your shoes.. etc." It's so, lonely and touching. And am I the only person who thinks of Doctor Who ("The Doctor plus one. I'm the Doctor. This is Rose Tyler. She's my plus one.")? Probably.

I think this song is the singer confessing to sleeping with women while on the road. He's imagining what they're lives are like now and apologizing for using them. Lines like:

"These several years out on the sea Made me empty, cold, and clear"

and

"I'm not the ladykilling sort Enough to hurt A girl in port"

sounds like he's not normally someone who has quick flings and one-night stands, but that the loneliness of the road is enough to push him to these types of relationships.

Great song. My favorite off the new album. :-)

"Someone's plus one" refers to being the unknown counterpart to someone who's well known -- the latter makes reservations to an event saying "[my name] plus one". Just thought I'd share.

I think "I'm just aghast/I'm not a part" should instead be "I'm just a guest/I'm not a part"