In The Sea
Clare Burson Lyrics

The lyrics of Clare Burson's song "In the Sea" create a beautiful and somewhat surrealistic image of disparate objects and elements that seem to coexist in the water. The verses describe items that are usually associated with domestic life, such as cut crystal glasses, wedding china, old linens, or family photos, but that now appear submerged in the bluegreen depth of the sea, surrounded by spidery light that seems to filter from the surface. Even the silver is described as tarnished, suggesting a sense of rust or aging that contrasts with the clear water. The chorus repeats the line "at home in the sea" three times, as if affirming that this seemingly strange placement is indeed where these things belong.

The second verse introduces a sense of mystery as it talks about the arrival and departure of the singer, and the fact that they are now lost in a letter sent from behind. The details of the letter's content are not explained, but the phrase "where the only return" suggests that there might be some kind of message or request that is impossible to fulfill. The chorus returns, almost like a mantra, suggesting that the singer is seeking a home or a sense of belonging in the midst of an uncertain, perhaps even treacherous, environment. The final stanza adds to the feeling of displacement and loss, as the singer wonders if some of their belongings have been sent to this underwater realm without their permission or knowledge. The repetition of the line "I forgot to bring" emphasizes the idea of things that are missing or unattainable, while the final line "at home / in the sea" changes subtly to highlight both the sense of belonging and the sense of dislocation.

Overall, "In the Sea" is a meditation on the dual nature of water and its capacity to absorb, preserve, and distort human artifacts and emotions. The lyrics play with the tension between the everyday and the extraordinary, between the familiar and the unknown, between the desire for stability and the inevitability of change. The song's imagery invites the listener to imagine a world where objects and memories take on a new significance, and where the sea itself becomes a metaphor for the complex and fluid nature of existence.