Yet Another Raft of the Medusa
Ahab Lyrics


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Alas! The Marquesas!
Shun the beckoning land!
Choose the open sea instead
To whatever end!

Took down to wondrous depths
Sullen we did go
Where shapes of unwarped primal
Gliding to and fro

Father! Willst thou pity
If dry're freshest cuts
If eyelids crack - mummified
Without trace of blood

Lord, why would thou leave us so misled?




How many warm hearts would cease to beat
In the consequence of it?

Overall Meaning

In "Yet Another Raft of the Medusa," Ahab is exploring themes of isolation, death, and despair. The opening lines "Alas! The Marquesas! Shun the beckoning land!" speak to the idea of being trapped or isolated, as the Marquesas are a group of islands in the South Pacific that are not easily accessible. The desire to "choose the open sea instead / To whatever end" suggests a willingness to face the unknown and potentially dangerous, rather than stay trapped in one place.


The second verse speaks to a descent into darkness, as the singer describes being taken down to "wondrous depths" where they encounter "shapes of unwarped primal / Gliding to and fro." There is a sense of unease and foreboding, as if the singer is encountering something primal and fearsome. The third verse speaks to the fear of death and the unknown, as the singer asks if their father will pity them if they die alone and their bodies are left to dry out and mummify without a trace of blood.


Through these lyrics, Ahab creates a sense of despair and isolation, as the singer faces the unknown and the potentially deadly with no one to turn to. The ending lines, "Lord, why would thou leave us so misled? / How many warm hearts would cease to beat / In the consequence of it?" suggest a sense of resignation and acceptance of death, as the singer laments the choices that have led them to this point.


Line by Line Meaning

Alas! The Marquesas!
Oh no! We have reached the Marquesas islands!


Shun the beckoning land!
We should avoid staying on land and continue sailing in the open sea.


Choose the open sea instead
Prefer the vast sea over the tempting land.


To whatever end!
It does not matter what may happen in the end.


Took down to wondrous depths
We were dragged to the deep and mysterious ocean's floor.


Sullen we did go
We went gloomily and without expectation.


Where shapes of unwarped primal
Here, we saw the original and natural forms of creatures.


Gliding to and fro
They were swimming gently, moving to and fro.


Father! Willst thou pity
Oh, father! Will you have mercy?


If dry're freshest cuts
Even after the freshest wounds have dried up.


If eyelids crack - mummified
Even if our eyelids dry up and become like mummies.


Without trace of blood
When there is no blood left in our bodies.


Lord, why would thou leave us so misled?
God, how could you let us be fooled like this?


How many warm hearts would cease to beat
How many kindhearted people will lose their lives?


In the consequence of it?
As a result of our situation?




Contributed by Caroline K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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