Song to the Siren
Ferry Bryan Lyrics
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I did all my best to smile
'Til your singing eyes and fingers
Drew me loving to your isle
And you sang
Sail to me
Sail to me
Let me enfold you
Here I am
Waiting to hold you
Did I dream you dreamed about me?
Were you hare when I was fox?
Now my foolish heart is leaning
Broken lovelorn on your rocks,
For you sing, "Touch me not, touch me not, come back tomorrow:
O my heart, o my heart shies from the sorrow."
Here I am
Here I am
I am puzzled as the newborn child
I am riddled at the tide:
Should I stand amid the breakers?
Should I lie with Death my bride?
Hear me sing, "Swim to me, swim to me, let me enfold you:
Here I am, here I am, waiting to hold you."
Here I am
Here I am
I am puzzled as the newborn child
I am riddled at the tide:
Should I stand amid the breakers?
Should I lie with Death my bride?
Hear me sing, "Swim to me, swim to me, let me enfold you:
Here I am, here I am..."
The lyrics of “Song to the Siren” by Tim Buckley (1970) were later covered by Roxy Music’s frontman Bryan Ferry in 1985 creating one of the most renowned and poignant love songs of all time. The song lyrics are based on a sirens’ call in the Greek mythology story of the Odyssey. In a sense, the singer is calling out to his siren and, as if he were simply listening to an irresistible call or resisting it, he ultimately drowns into the depths of love. The lyrics seem like a human interpretation of the story where the siren (a mythological bird woman) lures sailors with her enchanting melody and beauty. The siren would use her enticing voice to distract the sailors and, in a way to consume them by leading them towards their death. The singer feels as though he is drowning in his feelings for his love, whether it be a metaphor for the many mysteries and depths we dive into during courtship or just the idea of someone falling in love too deeply and getting hurt.
Line by Line Meaning
Long afloat on distant oceans
I have been traveling for a long period of time
I did all my best to smile
I tried to remain happy despite my loneliness
'Til your singing eyes and fingers
Until I saw the beauty in your eyes and the magic of your touch
Drew me loving to your isle
I felt drawn to your love and the feeling of safety your island provided
And you sang
Your words and voice had a profound impact on me
Sail to me
Come to me, be near me
Sail to me
Come to me, be near me
Let me enfold you
Let me embrace you and keep you safe
Here I am
I am here, waiting for you
Here I am
I am here, waiting for you
Waiting to hold you
Waiting to embrace you and keep you safe
Did I dream you dreamed about me?
Did I imagine that you were dreaming of me too?
Were you hare when I was fox?
Did you sense my presence when I was trying to be elusive?
Now my foolish heart is leaning
My heart has become vulnerable and exposed
Broken lovelorn on your rocks
My heart has been broken and shattered by you
For you sing, "Touch me not, touch me not, come back tomorrow:
You are asking me to wait until tomorrow to touch you
O my heart, o my heart shies from the sorrow."
My heart is afraid of the pain that comes with loving you
I am puzzled as the newborn child
I am confused and vulnerable like a newborn baby
I am riddled at the tide:
I am uncertain about the direction my life is taking
Should I stand amid the breakers?
Should I face the challenges and difficulties of life?
Should I lie with Death my bride?
Should I give up on life and embrace death?
Hear me sing, "Swim to me, swim to me, let me enfold you:
Come to me, let me hold you close and keep you safe
Here I am, here I am, waiting to hold you."
I am here, waiting for you to come to me
I am puzzled as the newborn child
I am confused and vulnerable like a newborn baby
I am riddled at the tide:
I am uncertain about the direction my life is taking
Should I stand amid the breakers?
Should I face the challenges and difficulties of life?
Should I lie with Death my bride?
Should I give up on life and embrace death?
Hear me sing, "Swim to me, swim to me, let me enfold you:
Come to me, let me hold you close and keep you safe
Here I am, here I am...
I am here, waiting for you to come to me
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Larry Beckett, Tim Buckley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@p.rince2016
~~ Long afloat on distant oceans
I did all my best to smile
'Til your singing eyes and fingers
Drew me loving to your isle
And you sang
Sail to me
Sail to me
Let me enfold you
Here I am
Here I am
Waiting to hold you
Did I dream you dreamed about me?
Were you hare when I was fox?
Now my foolish heart is leaning
Broken lovelorn on your rocks,
For you sing, "Touch me not, touch me not, come back tomorrow:
O my heart, o my heart shies from the sorrow."
Here I am
Here I am
I am puzzled as the newborn child
I am riddled at the tide:
Should I stand amid the breakers?
Should I lie with Death my bride?
Hear me sing, "Swim to me, swim to me, let me enfold you:
Here I am, here I am, waiting to hold you."
~~
So immense beautiful song, it touches all corners of my heart 🥀💞 @bryanferry
@s.t.8898
Lied zur Sirene
Song to the Siren
Bin lange gesegelt auf Ozeanen ohne Schiffe
Long afloat on shipless oceans
Hab mein bestes getan zu lächeln
I did all my best to smile
Bis deine singenden Augen und Finger
'Til your singing eyes and fingers
Mich voller Liebe zu deiner Insel gezogen haben
Drew me loving to your isle
Und du sangst
And you sang
Segel zu mir
Sail to me
Segel zu mir
Sail to me
Laß mich dich einhüllen
Let me enfold you
Hier bin ich
Here I am
Hier bin ich
Here I am
Und warte darauf, dich zu halten
Waiting to hold you
Hab ich geträumt, du hast von mir geträumt?
Did I dream you dreamed about me?
Warst du der Hase, als ich der Fuchs war?
Were you hare when I was fox?
Jetzt dümpelt mein Narrenboot
Now my foolish boat is leaning
Schiffbrüchig, liebeskrank an deinen Felsen
Broken lovelorn on your rocks
Denn du singst
For you sing
Berühr mich nicht
Touch me not
Berühr mich nicht
Touch me not
Komm morgen wieder
Come back tomorrow
Oh mein Herz
Oh my heart
Oh mein Herz
Oh my heart
Es scheut zurück vor dem Kummer
Shies from the sorrow
Ich bin verwirrt wie die Auster
I'm as puzzled as the oyster
Ich bin aufgewühlt wie die Gezeiten
I'm as troubled as the tide
Sollte ich den Brechern standhalten?
Should I stand amid the breakers?
Sollte ich neben dem Tod liegen, meiner Braut?
Should I lie with Death my bride?
Hör mich singen
Hear me sing
Schwimm zu mir
Swim to me
Schwimm zu mir
Swim to me
Laß mich dich einhüllen
Let me enfold you
Oh mein Herz
Oh my heart
Oh mein Herz
Oh my heart
Wartet darauf, dich zu halten
Is waiting to hold you.VIELEN LIEBEN DANK FÜR DIESE BOTSCHAFT...FRIEDEN und FREIHEIT...
@Arthur-tl2hp
This man is a genius, I have enjoyed and appreciated his works for nearly 50 years
@peterwatson5659
Bryan Ferry, simply a class act. Great guitar by Oliver Thompson..
@markymark2819
This is not only an incredibly beautiful performance of a great song, but a performance befitting the occasion. Commemorating 100 years since the sinking of the Titanic. No tricks, no "show, just walks up to the mic, sings wonderfully, takes a polite bow and walks away. Wonderful.
@victoriasutton9958
Beautiful version .This is one of my favourite songs ever. I think if Elvis was still here he would have recorded it.
@tackleberryc6472
Still awesome....
@duartem.1721
Bryan Ferry is a class act.
@HouseholdDog
The classiest.
@kittokino
I don't know how many countless times I've watched and listened to this song and it still remains so fresh and beautiful... Amazing performance and Bryan Ferry has poured his heart into the song.
@fin3572
You know when a song is a classic when each time you hear a new version of it, it becomes your favourite. From Tim Buckley's original folk ballad, through Robert Plant's version and the Celtic lament of This Mortal Coil (Elizabeth Fraser sublime). Now the king of suave paints his magic. Orchestra, choir and some fine fretwork from a young Ollie Thompson.
The song deserves this.
@kittykane2058
@fin3572:
I appreciated your comment. I'm a huge fan of Tim Buckley; which naturally led me to become a ridiculous fan of his son, Jeff. I think this is a song that has forunately been treated with the respect and tenderness it deserves - due to the fact that every version has been covered beautifully by the musicians you mentioned. It never fails to make me weep.
(You probably already know all this, but I'll ramble on anyway. lol.) Apparently, after This Mortal Coil recorded "Song To The Siren" (f'king "sublime" is right, lol.), Elizabeth developed a relationship with Jeff Buckley.
There's an interview with E. Fraser where she speaks about their brief but, meaningful relationship. Her beautiful face says all. And it is a hearbreak to watch her try to get through the topic of Jeff's death. It's just one of those bittersweet, strange examples of how the world throws people together.
A song about a man, knowing he will drown, as the sea breaks his boat around him, being called to his end, by the "song of the siren" (?). Tim Buckley's own version is so moving. This Mortal Coil covers the song - and it is ethereal, haunting. Then, Elizabeth, by mere happenstance, develops something very special with Jeff Buckley. Who was a near carbon-copy of his estranged father - in looks, talent, and that icredible voice. Just as Jeff was beginning to blow people's minds with his musical talents - he is taken by the Mississippi River. Drowned. So incredible and so tragic. One of too many musicians who should've lived forever. Thank you. Take Care.😺💖🎶🎸