Seafaring Song
Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan Lyrics

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.