Southern Cross" is a song written by Stephen Stills, Rick Curtis, and Micha… Read Full Bio ↴Southern Cross" is a song written by Stephen Stills, Rick Curtis, and Michael Curtis and performed by the rock band Crosby, Stills & Nash. It was featured on the band's Daylight Again album and was released as a single in September 1982. Stephen Stills sings lead vocals throughout, with Graham Nash joining the second verse. Because David Crosby did not rejoin the band until the album was already underway, his vocals are not featured on the album version of the song, although he did appear in the video and subsequently sang the song with the group in live performances. The single was a success on the charts, reaching #18 on the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks in late November and early December 1982

Southern Cross
Crosby Stills & Nash Lyrics

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Got out of town on a boat goin' to Southern Islands
Sailing a reach before a followin' sea
She was makin' for the trades on the outside
And the downhill run to Papeete

Off the wind on this heading lie the Marquesas
We got eighty feet of the waterline nicely making way
In a noisy bar in Avalon I tried to call you

But on a midnight watch I realized why twice you ran away

Think about
Think about how many times I have fallen
Spirits are using me, larger voices callin'
What Heaven brought you and me cannot be forgotten

Around the world (I have been around the world)
Lookin' (lookin' for that woman girl)
Who knows she knows (who knows love can endure)
And you know it will

When you see the Southern Cross for the first time
You understand now why you came this way
'Cause the truth you might be runnin' from is so small
But it's as big as the promise, the promise of a comin' day

So I'm sailing for tomorrow my dreams are a-dyin'
And my love is an anchor tied to you (tied with a silver chain)
I have my ship and all her flags are a-flyin'
She is all that I have left and music is her name

Think about
Think about how many times I have fallen
Spirits are using me, larger voices callin'
What Heaven brought you and me cannot be forgotten

I have been around the world (I have been around the world)
Lookin' (lookin' for that woman girl)
(Who knows love can endure)
And you know it will
And you know it will

So we cheated and we lied and we tested
And we never failed to fail it was the easiest thing to do
You will survive being bested

Somebody fine will come along make me forget about loving you
And the southern cross

Overall Meaning

In the first verse of Crosby Stills & Nash's song "Southern Cross," the singer describes leaving town on a boat headed towards the Southern Islands, sailing smoothly on the ocean's waves. From there, they travel towards the Marquesas, with 80 feet of waterline beneath them. At a noisy bar in Avalon, the singer unsuccessfully tries to call someone, but later realizes why the person had left them twice before. The chorus urges listeners to think about the many times they've fallen and how larger spirits are calling them towards something that cannot be forgotten.

The second verse finds the singer continuing their journey around the world, seeking out a woman they once loved. They hope to find her despite any difficulties encountered during their search. The chorus repeats, emphasizing the idea of being led down a path by a greater force. Finally, the singer acknowledges that they've made mistakes and tested the limits of relationships, but encourages listeners to keep trying, as something better will eventually come along.

Line by Line Meaning

Got out of town on a boat goin' to Southern Islands
Leaving town by boat, headed for the Southern Islands

Sailing a reach before a followin' sea
Sailing with wind behind us and smooth waters ahead

She was makin' for the trades on the outside
Heading towards favorable trade winds outside of protected waters

And the downhill run to Papeete
And the easy journey downhill towards Papeete

Off the wind on this heading lie the Marquesas
Going off course towards Marquesas, away from original destination

We got eighty feet of the waterline nicely making way
We are comfortably and efficiently moving through the water

In a noisy bar in Avalon I tried to call you
In a loud bar in Avalon, I attempted to contact you

But on a midnight watch I realized why twice you ran away
But during a night shift, I understood why you left me twice before

Think about
Consider,

Think about how many times I have fallen
Consider how often I have failed

Spirits are using me, larger voices callin'
I am being guided by something bigger than myself

What Heaven brought you and me cannot be forgotten
The connection we share is unforgettable and divinely inspired

Around the world (I have been around the world)
I have traveled extensively around the world

Lookin' (lookin' for that woman girl)
Searching for a woman

Who knows she knows (who knows love can endure)
Someone who understands that love can withstand challenges and endure

And you know it will
We both believe it will

When you see the Southern Cross for the first time
When you witness the constellation Southern Cross for the initial time

You understand now why you came this way
You finally comprehend why you took this journey

'Cause the truth you might be runnin' from is so small
Because the reality you are trying to avoid is insignificant compared to the promise of a better future

But it's as big as the promise, the promise of a comin' day
But the hope and potential of a brighter future is just as significant as the fear you are avoiding

So I'm sailing for tomorrow my dreams are a-dyin'
So I'm sailing towards the future even though my dreams are fading

And my love is an anchor tied to you (tied with a silver chain)
My love for you is a strong attachment that binds me to you

I have my ship and all her flags are a-flyin'
I have my boat and all its flags waving proudly

She is all that I have left and music is her name
My boat is the only thing that remains, and music is its identity

So we cheated and we lied and we tested
So we were dishonest and deceitful and we tried to see what we could get away with

And we never failed to fail it was the easiest thing to do
And we never succeeded because failure was the easiest option

You will survive being bested
You will make it through disappointments and setbacks

Somebody fine will come along make me forget about loving you
Eventually, someone wonderful will come along and I will move on from my love for you

And the southern cross
And the constellation Southern Cross

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: Stephen Stills, Richard Curtis, Michael Curtis

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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