Mermaid Blues
Tom McRae Lyrics

Ice has formed
Winter has come and the ground is covered with a layer of ice

And there's snow between the tracks
The snow has covered the railway tracks

And I have seen the surface tear and
The singer has witnessed the fragile surface of something breaking apart

I can't look back
The artist cannot return to the past, and must move on from it.

And cool low sun
The temperature is low and it's the time of day when the sun is low in the sky

Has blinded you for days
The singer has not been able to see clearly for a long time.

From horizon to horizon
As far as the eye can see; a large expanse

Can I dream this all away
The artist is hoping that they can forget their current troubles by dreaming

But over the water
Despite this desolate landscape, there is something beautiful waiting for the artist

Over the water
Perhaps on the other side of the river or sea, there is something beautiful waiting for the artist

Over the sea
The beautiful sight is located beyond the sea

There's you shining bright
The source of beauty is a person that is shining brightly

In a sea of fools
The other people around the person of interest are not as wise as they are

Oh I can sing you out of this
The singer believes they can help the person of interest forget their troubles through song

Can shake your mermaids blues
The singer wants to help the person of interest with their specific, metaphorical problems

Come with me
The artist is inviting the person of interest to follow them

For alone I fear the tide
The artist is afraid of being alone when the tide comes in

It's calling me and dragging me
The tide is a force that is calling the singer towards it

And I think it's time
The singer has made up their mind that now is the time to act

Shape your mouth
The artist is encouraging the person of interest to speak clearly

To fit these words of war
The words the person of interest speaks may have a confrontational tone

I see the arrows falling backwards
The artist has a perception of events that is out of the norm

Burning for a cause
The singer sees people fighting passionately for a cause they believe in

I'll swim with you
The artist is pledging to join the person of interest in their struggles and difficulties

Until my lungs give out
The singer will persist up to the point of physical failure

Oh I can raise you from the deep
The singer believes they can help the person of interest rise above their metaphorical problems, like a lifeguard saves a swimmer from drowning

Or drown with you in doubt
The singer is willing to join the person of interest in their emotional and psychological struggles

But over the water with you
Whatever the future holds, the artist wants to experience it with the person of interest

With you, with you ...
The artist repeats the phrase to emphasize how important this person is to them