Hey Marseilles is a musical group from Seattle, WA, that formed in the summ… Read Full Bio ↴Hey Marseilles is a musical group from Seattle, WA, that formed in the summer of 2006 after Nick and Philip forced Matt Bishop to write a song to an accordion riff and play it live for a work party downtown. The current lineup consists of seven members performing on guitars, cello, viola, accordion, piano, bass, glockenspiel, ukulele, mandolin, drums, and a plethora of rhythmic accessories. The music can be described as indie-folk, and has been compared to that of The Decemberists, Devotchka, and Bright Eyes.

The band released their first full-length self-produced album, "To Travels & Trunks" in December 2008.

Dead of Night
Hey Marseilles Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I've been walking in the dead of night
Looking down, looking right
If the morning's red
Then I'll be alright

I've been sailing on a dozen seas
Searching for that elusive breeze
If my raft won't sink

I'll have some time to think

I am sailing in winter
We are slowing down, we are going down
Ocean waves are to die for
Endless blue and gray, endless

Lines we trace of a thousand ends
We'll count the ways we can't begin
Stay in our homes
Remain on our own

Lie everyone, says you should believe
That the map you draw shows the life you'll lead
Stay the course
And that world will be yours

I will climb to a new ridge
Where the light is low, and the lake below
Calls my name to jump off it
Endless blue and gray, endless

I've been walking in the dead of night
Looking down, looking right
If the morning's red
Then I'll be alright

I've been sailing on a dozen seas
Searching for that elusive breeze

If my raft does sink
I'll have some time to think

Overall Meaning

The song "Dead of Night" by Hey Marseilles is a deeply reflective and introspective piece reflecting on life's journey and the choices one makes along the way. The opening lines set the tone for the entire song, describing the singer's experience of walking in the dead of night, a metaphor for traveling a difficult and challenging path. The second line "looking down, looking right" suggests that the singer is searching for guidance and direction, perhaps feeling lost and unsure of which way to go. However, the optimism of "if the morning's red then I'll be alright" hints at the possibility of new beginnings and the hope of a better future.

The song continues with the metaphor of sailing, describing a long and arduous journey in search of something elusive, which is implied to be happiness or fulfillment. The line "If my raft won't sink, I'll have some time to think" implies that sometimes the journey itself is more important than the destination, and that moments of introspection and reflection can be valuable and necessary.

The chorus is repeated twice during the song, beginning and ending with the phrase "I've been walking in the dead of night, looking down, looking right" which reinforces the idea of a journey that is shrouded in darkness and uncertainty. The middle section of the song describes the importance of home and individuality, with the line "Stay in our homes, remain on our own" suggesting that sometimes it's important to take time for oneself and find comfort in the familiar. However, the lines "Lie everyone, says you should believe, that the map you draw shows the life you'll lead, stay the course, and that world will be yours" imply that sometimes it's necessary to take risks and break free of the mold to achieve one's goals.

Line by Line Meaning

I've been walking in the dead of night
I have been wandering around when it's completely dark outside

Looking down, looking right
Observing my surroundings carefully and searching for something specific

If the morning's red, then I'll be alright
Red sky at dawn signifies good weather and a hopeful future

I've been sailing on a dozen seas
I have traveled far and wide, exploring different waterways

Searching for that elusive breeze
Seeking fresh air and new opportunities to improve my life

If my raft won't sink, I'll have some time to think
If everything goes according to plan, I'll have some quiet moments to reflect on my experiences

I am sailing in winter
I am braving the cold and unpredictable conditions

We are slowing down, we are going down
Our progress is hindered, and we might be in danger of failure

Ocean waves are to die for
The beauty of the sea is breathtaking, but also potentially deadly

Endless blue and gray, endless
Nothing but the same unchanging scenery for miles and miles

Lines we trace of a thousand ends
Following paths that lead nowhere, with no clear destination in sight

We'll count the ways we can't begin
Analyzing the obstacles that prevent us from starting something new

Stay in our homes, remain on our own
Refusing to take chances, and sticking to the familiar and safe

Lie everyone, says you should believe
The common wisdom is that you should follow the crowd, even if they are not telling the truth

That the map you draw shows the life you'll lead
If you plan your future carefully, you'll end up exactly where you want to be

Stay the course, and that world will be yours
Stick to your goals, and you'll eventually achieve your dreams

I will climb to a new ridge
I will strive to reach new heights and discover new things

Where the light is low, and the lake below
Exploring places that are not well-known, where the surroundings are gloomy but intriguing

Calls my name to jump off it
Feeling a strong urge to take a chance and see what happens, even if it's risky

I've been walking in the dead of night
I have been moving down an unknown path when it's too dark to see

Looking down, looking right
Examining my footsteps, and scrutinizing what's in front of me

If the morning's red, then I'll be alright
If the future looks bright, I have hope that everything will be okay

I've been sailing on a dozen seas
I have seen and experienced many different things, but there's still more to discover

Searching for that elusive breeze
Hoping to find a new direction, and catch the wind that will take me there

If my raft does sink, I'll have some time to think
Even if things take a turn for the worse, I'll use that time to assess my life and what it means to me

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: MATT AARON BISHOP, PHILIP TIMOTHY KOBERNIK, SAMUEL ARTHUR ANDERSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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