Together, Campbell and Lanegan formed a unique combination of gruff vocals and dulcet voices. They released a series of albums: Ballad of the Broken Seas, which received a nomination in the 2006 Mercury Awards, Sunday at Devil Dirt, which was released in May 2008. The album received US release in Fall 2008. Their third album Hawk was released in August 2010. The same year the live album "Live At The Barbican London 2010 " was released.
01 Seafaring Song
Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan Lyrics
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Wandered far from home
Sailed the ocean 'neath foreign skies
Still further to roam
Back into my baby's arms
Safe from this world of woe
That was such a long, long time ago.
The cabin boy stared into the sun
Shadows waltzing so close behind
Ever far I run
Back into my baby's arms
Safe from this world of woe
That was such a long, long time ago
Sirens capture my trembling heart
What's to be will be
Moon is hidden
The deal is done
Spread her wings o'er me
Back into my baby's arms
Rising soft and low
That was such a long, long time ago
The song "Seafaring Song" by Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan is a poignant reflection on the experiences of a wanderer who travels the world and sails the ocean, only to find solace and comfort in the arms of a loved one upon returning home. The song opens with the singer expressing his travels and longing for home, that has been far away, emphasizing the feelings of displacement and isolation felt on his journey. The verse, "Sailed the ocean 'neath foreign skies, still further roam, back into my baby's arms, safe from this world of woe" encapsulates a sense of hope and relief that the singer finds in his lover, that serves as the ultimate escape from his wandering lifestyle.
The chorus and second verse of the song reinforce this theme. The chorus repeats the line "Back into my baby's arms, safe from this world of woe" with an increasingly emotional and soulful delivery from both vocalists, which evokes a sense of nostalgia and yearning for the safety and security of home. The second verse contains the lines, "Sirens capture my trembling heart, what's to be will be, moon is hidden, the deal is done, spread her wings o'er me", portraying an ominous and danger-filled environment, serving as a powerful contrast to the safety and comfort that the singer finds upon his return to his lover's arms.
In conclusion, Campbell and Lanegan's "Seafaring Song" is a deeply introspective exploration of the juxtaposition of loneliness and solace experienced by a wanderer, who eventually finds comfort in their loved one's presence. The lyrics balance the fluctuating moods of a traveler, from the excitement of adventure and exploration to the melancholy of distance and longing, that only love can satiate.
Line by Line Meaning
I traveled the world around
I have journeyed across the world
Wandered far from home
I strayed far from my place of origin
Sailed the ocean 'neath foreign skies
I navigated across the sea beneath unfamiliar skies
Still further to roam
There is still more traveling to be done
Back into my baby's arms
Returning to the loving embrace of my partner
Safe from this world of woe
No longer subject to the distressing aspects of life
That was such a long, long time ago.
Those experiences are now distant memories
Captain hollered
The captain shouted commands
The cabin boy stared into the sun
The young sailor gazed into the bright sun
Shadows waltzing so close behind
The darkness loomed closely behind me
Ever far I run
I continue to race away
Sirens capture my trembling heart
I succumb to the alluring songs of the sirens
What's to be will be
Whatever will happen is predetermined
Moon is hidden
The moon is concealed
The deal is done
The outcome is settled
Spread her wings o'er me
Embracing me protectively
Rising soft and low
Gradually increasing in intensity but remaining mellow
That was such a long, long time ago
Those events are far removed in the past
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ISOBEL KAREN CAMPBELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind