Home of the Whale
Massive Attack Lyrics
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On the waves that blow wild and free
He splices the ropes and he sets the sail
While southwards he roams to the home of the whale
And he never thinks of me far behind
Or the torments that rage in my mind
He is mine for only part of the year
All ye ladies that smell of white rose
Thank ye for your perfume to wear on my gold
Thank ye all the wives and the babies that yearn
For the man never returns from hunting the sperm
Oh my love, he works upon the sea
On the waves that blow wild and free
He splices the ropes and he sets the sail
While southwards he roams to the home of the whale
The lyrics of "Home of the Whale" by Massive Attack tell a story of a woman left alone while her lover, who works on the sea, goes on a hunting trip in search of sperm whales. Her lover never thinks of her while he is away, and she is left with nothing but her tears to keep her company. The song pays tribute to the women who wait for and support their loved ones who work at sea, as well as to the whales that inhabit the vast and mysterious ocean.
The lyrics paint a picture of a deeply melancholic scene, with a sense of yearning and longing that is palpable. The singer's voice conveys a sense of sadness and desperation, as she waits for her lover to return, knowing that he may never come back. The imagery of the sea, with its wild and free waves, and the home of the whale, a mysterious and majestic place, add to the evocative atmosphere of the song.
Overall, "Home of the Whale" is a moving tribute to the overcoming of great distance and danger, to the love and loneliness that people experience when they are away from their significant others for long periods of time. It tells the story of those who wait and worry, and of the mysteries and terrors that lurk beneath the surface of the ocean.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh my love, he works upon the sea
The singer's lover works in the sea as a sailor
On the waves that blow wild and free
The winds are strong and unpredictable
He splices the ropes and he sets the sail
He prepares the vessel to navigate
While southwards he roams to the home of the whale
He travels to the Southern Ocean where whales live
And he never thinks of me far behind
He doesn't think about the artist back home
Or the torments that rage in my mind
The singer is experiencing emotional distress or pain
He is mine for only part of the year
The singer's lover is only with them for a few months
Then I'm left all alone with only my tears
The artist is left alone and sad
All ye ladies that smell of white rose
The artist addresses other women who wear perfume
Thank ye for your perfume to wear on my gold
The artist is grateful for the perfume that she can wear
Thank ye all the wives and the babies that yearn
The singer is thankful for the families of sailors who are waiting for them to come back home.
For the man never returns from hunting the sperm
The man doesn't return from hunting whales
Oh my love, he works upon the sea
The singer's lover works in the sea as a sailor
On the waves that blow wild and free
The winds are strong and unpredictable
He splices the ropes and he sets the sail
He prepares the vessel to navigate
While southwards he roams to the home of the whale
He travels to the Southern Ocean where whales live
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: OWEN FRANCIS HAND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind