The latter is a somewhat common phrase about cognitive dissonance and refusing to acknowledge the elephant in the room regardless of how dangerous it might be (i.e. AIDS) because it makes life easier for us. Turning one's back on the sea, as if that'll make it any less powerful, is like consigning AIDS to a category of disease that "good" and "responsible" people don't need to worry about.
I'm pretty sure the line written as:
"Who took their paths on the sand, yeah"
Is actually:
"Who turn their backs on the sea, yeah"
The latter is a somewhat common phrase about cognitive dissonance and refusing to acknowledge the elephant in the room regardless of how dangerous it might be (i.e. AIDS) because it makes life easier for us. Turning one's back on the sea, as if that'll make it any less powerful, is like consigning AIDS to a category of disease that "good" and "responsible" people don't need to worry about.