it's interesting to note that so many songs from Reckoning, including Harborcoat, have references to water, in particuular 'bodies' of wate. I think any explanation of any of these songs has to come with an understanding of why this is so.
As for harborcoat, I always felt that there was an undertone of sadness and frustration running throughout the song and that references to lenin and dockworkers and a gown made from drapes was a nod of empathy towards the poor working class that makes a living from the hardscrabble life associated with working with the sea. And knowing that Michael was/is always well-versed in literature, I see this song as romanticizing the proletariat which would fit in well with the mindset of a young recently matriculated liberal arts artist
it's interesting to note that so many songs from Reckoning, including Harborcoat, have references to water, in particuular 'bodies' of wate. I think any explanation of any of these songs has to come with an understanding of why this is so.
As for harborcoat, I always felt that there was an undertone of sadness and frustration running throughout the song and that references to lenin and dockworkers and a gown made from drapes was a nod of empathy towards the poor working class that makes a living from the hardscrabble life associated with working with the sea. And knowing that Michael was/is always well-versed in literature, I see this song as romanticizing the proletariat which would fit in well with the mindset of a young recently matriculated liberal arts artist