The Sea Calls
HAWLEY Richard Lyrics
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To go sailing to new lands
They pay for your worth
Bread, drink and a berth
Ah honey, I've got to go
The ship took the crew off to new lands
The boson piped all hands
A journey to the unknown
Ah honey, I've got to go
The road bends
Back to where we sent
The signals out to the men
Did they make it on board
With fire and the sword?
Ah honey I've got to go
Can you hear the winds blow?
It shakes your spirit and your soul
I've tried to stay true and stay on land
But the call of the ocean
Is so hard to ignore
It's why I'm leaving your door
Ah honey, I've got to go
I've seen, a ship with a black sail
When the wind howls and the ghosts wail
Dead men they don't bite
Their faces haunt me at night
Ah honey I've got to go
Can you hear the waves roar?
And no sound of the shore
It shakes you spirit and your soul
I dream of sailing the oceans
In a galleon all golden
Dead trees in the hearth
The way they burn it warms the heart
Ah honey, I've got to go
The years passed
We traveled and sailed west
I'll buy you a new dress
With all of my gold
Free your spirit and your soul
Ah honey, I've got to go
Can you hear the winds blow?
Shakes your spirit and your soul
I've got to go
The lyrics of "The Sea Calls" by Richard Hawley explore the irresistible pull of the ocean on an old sailor. The sea beckons the singer to set sail to new lands, with promises of worth, bread, drink, and a berth. Despite the comforts of land and the companionship of his lover, the singer is drawn to the sea and must heed the call. The song paints a vivid picture of the life at sea, with the boson piping all hands and the crew embarking on a journey to the unknown. The singer shares his experiences of sighting a ship with a black sail, the haunting faces of dead men, and the dreams of sailing on a golden galleon. The chorus emphasizes the importance of following one's heart, even in the face of uncertainty and danger.
The song can be interpreted as a metaphor for the human spirit's need for adventure, exploration, and self-discovery. The sea represents the vast unknown that lies beyond our comfort zones, and the singer symbolizes the restless soul that seeks to push boundaries and find meaning in life. The lyrics are poetic and nuanced, capturing the beauty and danger of life at sea and the tug of war between the heart and the mind. "The Sea Calls" is a powerful ode to the human desire for adventure and the yearning for freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
The sea calls, out to an old hand
The ocean is summoning an experienced sailor
To go sailing to new lands
To embark on a journey to uncharted territories
They pay for your worth
The rewards are in line with your skills and capabilities
Bread, drink and a berth
Food, water, and a place to sleep will be provided
Ah honey, I've got to go
I am compelled to heed the call of the sea
The ship took the crew off to new lands
The vessel departed with the sailors
The boson piped all hands
The boatswain signaled everyone to prepare to set sail
And with it you'll go
You will be part of the voyage
A journey to the unknown
An expedition to unfamiliar territories
The road bends
The path we chose deviates
Back to where we sent
Returning to the spot where we issued a message
The signals out to the men
The signs we sent to the sailors
Did they make it on board
Did they manage to embark the vessel?
With fire and the sword?
Did they have to use aggression to enforce the sailors to come aboard?
Can you hear the winds blow?
Can you perceive the sound of the breeze?
It shakes your spirit and your soul
It evokes a profound emotional reaction in you
I've tried to stay true and stay on land
I attempted to remain loyal and reside on ground
But the call of the ocean
But the appeal of the sea
Is so hard to ignore
Is challenging to disregard
It's why I'm leaving your door
It is the reason why I have to depart
I've seen, a ship with a black sail
I have witnessed a vessel with a foreboding sign
When the wind howls and the ghosts wail
During a fierce gale and spectral moaning
Dead men they don't bite
Lifeless people do not attack
Their faces haunt me at night
Their countenances linger in my memories during the night
Can you hear the waves roar?
Can you sense the sound of the surge?
And no sound of the shore
And no noise originating from the coastline
I dream of sailing the oceans
I imagine navigating the seas
In a galleon all golden
Inside a majestic, wealthy ship
Dead trees in the hearth
Lifeless lumber in the fireplace
The way they burn it warms the heart
The manner they ignite it comforts me
The years passed
Time went by
We traveled and sailed west
We journeyed and navigated towards the west
I'll buy you a new dress
I will purchase you a fresh garment
With all of my gold
Using all of my wealth
Free your spirit and your soul
Allowing you to feel liberated from constraints
Shakes your spirit and your soul
Provokes a visceral reaction in your mind and emotions
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RICHARD WILLIS HAWLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind