Dan McCafferty was forced to retire in September 2013 due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a chronic condition that severely restricts the afflicted’s ability to breathe. According to Ultimate Classic Rock, “it has gotten worse lately, and after trying to play a festival in Switzerland last weekend, Dan found it impossible to continue after performing only three songs. In the dressing room afterwards, he told the band that he couldn’t go on any longer.”
McCafferty may try to record in the studio since he can sing in 10-minute bursts.
The original and longtime vocalist for Nazareth, Dan McCafferty, died Nov. 8, 2022 at the age of 76.
Nazareth was a prolific classic rock act, at their peak in the 70's and early 80's. They released 23 albums, and McCafferty was a part of every one of them. Their 1974 cover of "Love Hurts" was their biggest song. McCafferty left the band in and released a solo album in 2019.
His former bandmate and bassist for Nazareth, Pete Agnew, memorialized him on social media. "Dan died at 12:40 today (Nov. 8). This is the saddest announcement I ever had to make. Maryann and the family have lost a wonderful loving husband and father, I have lost my best friend and the world has lost one of the greatest singers who ever lived. Too upset to say anything more at this time. - Pete."
Southern Cross
Dan McCafferty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All is silent... Southern Cross
It's easy for me to write
Even though I wonder...
But I feel nothing seems lost
We're still full of hope
Although the trip is grinding
Remember how we talked about
A world that's free
It may be hard to find
The land where war and hatred ceased to be
And the ship is sailing on across the ocean
We said farewell to yesterday
But in a year and one more day
You'll read the headlines everywhere
About the daring messengers
Who found an island in the Sea
Untouched by misery
I'm wearing your bandanna
Your picture's in my mind
Well concealed
And the vision of your face
Is never far away no no
It's always with me
So your smile is my companion
Till I'm back with you again
We said farewell to yesterday
But in a year and one more day
You'll read the news throughout the land
About some new-age emigrants
Who found an island in the Sea
Untouched by misery
The song "Southern Cross" by Dan McCafferty is a poetic expression of hope in the midst of tough times. The lyrics seem to describe a journey of some sort, possibly a long trip across the sea. The first two lines suggest a sense of isolation, as everything is quiet except for the rocking of the boat. Despite this, the singer finds it easy to write, perhaps because there is a sense of purpose driving them forward. The song goes on to describe a world without war or hatred, emphasizing the hope that there is something better out there if one keeps pushing forward.
The chorus brings everything back to the hope that was expressed earlier. The ship sails on, full of hope, despite the difficulties encountered on the journey. The singer is holding on to the memory of someone important to them, wearing a bandanna and carrying a mental picture of their face. The final verses reiterate the idea of finding an island untouched by misery, a sort of paradise beyond the struggles of daily life. It's a powerful image that serves as a reminder that, no matter how difficult things may seem, there is always hope for something better.
Line by Line Meaning
Rocking through the night
Traveling through the dark without any noise
All is silent... Southern Cross
The stars have come out in the southern hemisphere sky
It's easy for me to write
Expressing oneself in writing feels effortless
Even though I wonder...
Despite the occasional doubts
But I feel nothing seems lost
I don't sense that anything has disappeared
We're still full of hope
We remain optimistic
Although the trip is grinding
Even though the journey is arduous
What can I say
What words are there to describe it?
Remember how we talked about
Do you recall our previous conversation?
A world that's free
A world that has liberty
It may be hard to find
It might be difficult to discover
The land where war and hatred ceased to be
A place where there are no longer wars or enmity
And the ship is sailing on across the ocean
The vessel is continuing on its voyage over the sea
We said farewell to yesterday
We bid adieu to the previous day
But in a year and one more day
After one year and one additional day
You'll read the headlines everywhere
You'll see the story in every news source
About the daring messengers
Concerning the courageous people who delivered the message
Who found an island in the Sea
Who discovered an island in the ocean
Untouched by misery
Free from despair or sorrow
I'm wearing your bandanna
I have tied your scarf around my neck
Your picture's in my mind
I still remember what you look like
Well concealed
Hidden well from view
And the vision of your face
The image of your countenance
Is never far away no no
Is always close by
It's always with me
It stays with me
So your smile is my companion
Therefore, I am comforted by your grin
Till I'm back with you again
Until we are reunited once more
But in a year and one more day
After one year and one additional day
You'll read the news throughout the land
Everyone will read about it in the news
About some new-age emigrants
Regarding some modern-day migrants
Who found an island in the Sea
Who discovered an island in the ocean
Untouched by misery
Free from despair or sorrow
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Valdirene Fonseca
Linda musica diferente atraente e suave linda
Maria Helena Salazar
1/05/20 QUE LINDA VOZ! MARAVILHOSA DEMAIS!!! *************************
Maria Helena Salazar
24/05/20 LINDA DEMAIS ESTA MUSICA! QUE BELA VOZ!!! **********
heloisa roblox
Linda demais amei 👍👍👏👏👏
Maria Helena Salazar
16/07/20 MEU AMORZINHO LINDO! ADORO ESTA MARAVILHOSA VOZ! BELÍSSIMA MUSICA!!! ******
Maria Helena Salazar
14/05/20 QUE MUSICA MAIS LINDA! QUE VOZ MARAVILHOSA!!! ****************
Maria Helena Salazar
Southern Cross! Maravilhosa Musica!!! **********************
Elizabeth Santos
Dan Macferty que saudades de vc nos palcos,te adoro muito,vc é maravilhoso 👏💖💓👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏❤️😍👏👏💖
Maria Helena Salazar
24/08/19 NOSSA QUE LINDA VOZ! MUSICA MARAVILHOSA!!! ********************
Maria Helena Salazar
05/06/20 OH DEUS QUE VOZ MARAVILHOSA! ESTE ANJINHO É LINDO DEMAIS!!! ***********