Mermaid
Children Within Lyrics
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Though my lungs drown in water
You will survive
When like a fish, you dive
You we're born to a life
On a sunken island
A once so proud countryside
They don't believe me
We've got saltwater in our eyes
To prove our true nature
With a thirst too hard to slake
It's not enough with the deepest well
I breathe the same air as you do
Though my lungs drown in water
You will survive
When like a fish, you dive
I have the same need as you have
Need an endless horizon
To keep the mood
And save me from the prude
I'm a sailor on a ship
That's always sinking
From time to time
You've got me thinking
That I should be the first mate
Now I'm floating next to you
Hoping for a quick rescue
And I'm happy with myself
I feel relaxed and it's getting late
I breathe the same air as you do
Though my lungs drown in water
You will survive
When like a fish, you dive
I have the same need as you have
Need an endless horizon
To keep the mood
And save me from the prude
The lyrics of Children Within's song Mermaid describe a sense of personal disconnect from society and a longing for freedom. The first verse speaks to the idea that we share the same world, but some of us are unable to fully adapt. The second verse describes a feeling of isolation and misunderstanding, with the singer feeling like those around them don't understand their true nature. The chorus repeats the idea that the singer is different, and must dive beneath the surface to survive.
The third verse seems to be a metaphor for the artist's own struggles, describing themselves as a sailor whose ship is sinking. They feel adrift and lost, but finding someone else who understands them ('floating next to you') brings a sense of calm and acceptance. The singer acknowledges that they are different from others, but by the end of the song, they have made peace with it.
Overall, the song can be seen as a call to follow one's own path and embrace what makes a person unique. Its themes of oceanic imagery and self-discovery lend the song a dreamlike quality, evocative of a mystical underwater world.
Line by Line Meaning
I breathe the same air as you do
Despite being different, we share the same world.
Though my lungs drown in water
Even though I am not like you and struggle to breathe in your world, I still exist in it.
You will survive
You have the ability to adapt and survive in any environment.
When like a fish, you dive
By embracing the qualities of the creatures in your world, you can thrive.
You were born to a life
You were born into a certain way of life, but it is not the only way.
On a sunken island
Your way of life may have its own challenges and obstacles.
A once so proud countryside
The world you knew may have changed and not be as it once was.
Is silent
The world can be cruel and unforgiving, and sometimes it is better to listen than to speak.
They don't believe me
People may not understand or believe in me because I am different.
We've got saltwater in our eyes
The world can be overwhelming and emotional, even for those who seem strong.
To prove our true nature
We must often fight to be seen and accepted for who we truly are.
With a thirst too hard to slake
Our desire for acceptance and understanding is strong and unquenchable.
It's not enough with the deepest well
No matter how hard we try, sometimes it feels like we will never truly fit in.
I have the same need as you have
Despite our differences, we all have the same basic needs.
Need an endless horizon
We all crave something beyond our daily lives and routines.
To keep the mood
Sometimes, we need to escape to keep our spirits up.
And save me from the prude
We must sometimes protect ourselves from people who do not understand or accept us.
I'm a sailor on a ship
Life can be like a journey on a ship, with no clear destination or end in sight.
That's always sinking
Sometimes it feels like we are always struggling to keep afloat in the world.
From time to time
Occasionally, we may feel overwhelmed by the challenges of life.
You've got me thinking
Despite our challenges, we can learn from others and grow.
That I should be the first mate
We can take charge of our lives and make changes to better suit our needs.
Now I'm floating next to you
Sometimes it helps to have friends and allies to navigate the challenges of life.
Hoping for a quick rescue
We all need help from time to time to get through the challenges of life.
And I'm happy with myself
Despite our challenges, we can still find happiness and contentment in ourselves.
I feel relaxed and it's getting late
As we journey through life, it's important to take moments to relax and reflect on our progress.
Contributed by Amelia G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.