Southern Cross
Crosby Stills Nash & Young Lyrics
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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
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
The song Southern Cross by Crosby Stills & Nash (live) is a powerful ballad about a sailor who travels from the Southern Islands to Papeete while reflecting on his past and his failed relationships. The opening verse sets the scene of the sailor’s journey, as he sails off on a boat to the Southern Islands. He describes the boat sailing effortlessly in the direction of the trades on the outside, and the “downhill run” to Papeete. He then reminisces about a time in Avalon when he tried to call someone but was unable to get through.
The chorus of the song is a haunting reflection on how many times the sailor has fallen in love and been hurt. He feels like spirits are using him and there are larger voices calling out to him. However, he knows that the love he once shared with someone cannot be forgotten, no matter how many times he falls. He then sings about how he has been around the world, looking for the woman he loves, but admits that love can endure and that they will find each other again someday. The final verse is a reflection on his failed relationships, and how cheating, lying, and testing each other was the easiest thing to do. However, he knows that he will survive, and that someday someone fine will come along and make him forget about loving this other person.
Line by Line Meaning
Got out of town on a boat goin' to Southern Islands
I left town on a boat to go to the Southern Islands
Sailing a reach before a followin' sea
Sailing smoothly on calm water
She was makin' for the trades on the outside
The boat was headed towards trade winds
And the downhill run to Papeete
And the boat was headed downhill towards Papeete
Off the wind on this heading lie the Marquesas
Heading towards Marquesas on a fresh wind
We got eighty feet of the waterline nicely making way
The boat was moving smoothly with eighty feet of waterline visible
In a noisy bar in Avalon I tried to call you
I attempted to call you from a loud bar in Avalon
But on a midnight watch I realized why twice you ran away
I realized why you have left me twice during a midnight watch
Think about
Reflect
Think about how many times I have fallen
Think about the numerous times I have failed
Spirits are using me, larger voices callin'
I feel that spirits are guiding me and calling me towards something bigger than myself
What Heaven brought you and me cannot be forgotten
I believe that our fate and connection is destined by a higher power and cannot be forgotten
Around the world (I have been around the world)
I have traveled around the world
Lookin' (lookin' for that woman girl)
I've been searching for a specific woman
(Who knows she knows (who knows love can endure)
She may know that love can prevail
And you know it will
And I know it will
When you see the Southern Cross for the first time
When you see the Southern Cross constellation for the first time
You understand now why you came this way
You realize why you have come this far
'Cause the truth you might be runnin' from is so small
The truth you might be avoiding, is not as big as it seems
But it's as big as the promise, the promise of a comin' day
It's still significant and promises a better tomorrow
So I'm sailing for tomorrow my dreams are a-dyin'
I'm sailing towards tomorrow, but my dreams are slowly fading away
And my love is an anchor tied to you (tied with a silver chain)
My love is holding me back and is linked to you, strongly
I have my ship and all her flags are a-flyin'
I have my ship and all her flags are fluttering
She is all that I have left and music is her name
My ship is my only possession left, and I call her ‘Music’
So we cheated and we lied and we tested
We have cheated, lied and tested our relationship
And we never failed to fail it was the easiest thing to do
We always failed and it became easy for us to give up
You will survive being bested
You will move on from being defeated
Somebody fine will come along make me forget about loving you
Someone wonderful will come along and make me forget about loving you
And the southern cross
Referring to the Southern Cross constellation
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ericblack8004
My dad just passed away tonight. He was 93. This song and video was always a favorite of his. Playing this in his memory. Rest In Peace Dad. Miss you already.
@PrincessOverDoesIt
❤️
@maxcactus7
Wishing you peace of heart and mind, Eric. I lost my father 18 years ago and not a day passes that I don't think of him and miss him greatly. May time and happy memories of your time with him ease your pain.
@lestallis9789
Beautiful song. One of my favorites too. May your dad rest in peace.
@tomvolvo7208
My deepest condolences. 💐 What a beautiful tribute to your dad.
@silentwatch1
❤🤘
@dorothydotson7154
There has never been better harmonies. OK. I'm old but I am so lucky to have lived in a time when music like this was being made.
@lindapearcr3138
Right on !!!
@HelenHumphries
I agree 100%. I have been very lucky to see them in concert several times and they are just fantastic. I found it quite amusing that Graham Nash goes on stage barefoot.
@laurenrowell9251
Please stop saying you're old. We were born at the right time, the time when this kind of music was being made. We were blessed to be born when we were.