Finding his voice in a school choir, Crawford began his professional career still a teenager. Having some luck on the London stage in the early 60s, he then found his way onto the BBC and starred in various programmes such as 'Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em'. He also had film roles in 'The War Lover', 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum'. and 'How I Won the War' (which brought him into the same work as John Lennon).
Andrew Lloyd Webber's casting of him opposite Sarah Brightman and Steve Barton as the Phantom in 1986 shot his career into high gear. Winning a Tony Award for his role, Crawford also had the aforementioned tune, "The Music Of The Night", reach the British Top Ten. He has released several studio albums such as 'A Touch of Music in the Night' and 'On Eagle's Wings' among others.
I Will Go Sailing No More
Michael Crawford Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Out among the stars I sail,
Way beyond the moon.
In my silver ship I sail,
A dream that ended too soon.
Now I know exactly who I am
And what I'm here for.
All the things I thought I'd be,
All the brave things I've done.
Vanish like a snowflake
With the rising of the sun.
Never more to sail my ship
Were no man has gone before.
And I will go sailing no more.
No, it can't be true!
I could fly if I wanted to!
Like a bird in the sky,
If I believed I could fly,
Well, I'd fly!
Clearly I will go sailing no more.
"I Will Go Sailing No More" is a heartfelt ballad by Michael Crawford that was featured in the 1995 computer-animated film Toy Story. The song is sung by Buzz Lightyear, a toy space ranger, who comes to the realization that he is not actually a real space ranger, but rather a toy. The lyrics talk about his dreams of sailing among the stars and his realization that these dreams will never come true. The song is a poignant moment in the film as it is a turning point for Buzz as he comes to grips with his true identity as a toy.
The first verse of the song talks about Buzz's dreams of sailing among the stars and his silver ship that he sailed in. This is a metaphor for his belief that he is a real space ranger and his dreams of exploring the galaxy. However, he realizes that his dreams have ended too soon and that he is just a toy.
The second verse talks about all the things that Buzz thought he would be and all the brave things he has done. These are also metaphors for his belief that he was a real space ranger and the missions he went on. However, he realizes that these things vanish like a snowflake with the rising of the sun and he will never sail his ship where no man has gone before.
The bridge of the song is a moment of desperation where Buzz tries to convince himself that he can still fly like a bird in the sky if he just believes. However, he knows that this is not true and the final line of the song is a realization that he will go sailing no more.
Line by Line Meaning
Out among the stars I sail,
I venture beyond the familiar celestial body and explore the vastness of space.
Way beyond the moon.
I go farther than the nearest celestial object, the moon, in my expedition.
In my silver ship I sail,
I go on my space exploration in a ship made of a silver-colored metal alloy.
A dream that ended too soon.
My aspirations were cut short and my adventure was brought to an abrupt end.
Now I know exactly who I am
I have discovered my true identity and purpose.
And what I'm here for.
I now comprehend the reasons for my existence on this planet.
And I will go sailing no more.
I will never return to space exploration again.
All the things I thought I'd be,
All the aspirations I had of the person I wanted to become.
All the brave things I've done.
All the courageous acts I had accomplished in the past.
Vanish like a snowflake
All my dreams and achievements dissolve like a snowflake.
With the rising of the sun.
Just as the sun rises every day and melts the snow, my accomplishments are fading away.
Never more to sail my ship
I will never have another chance to travel in my spaceship again.
Were no man has gone before.
To a place that no human being has ever ventured to before, an unexplored location.
No, it can't be true!
I refuse to accept that I can never go back to space exploration again.
I could fly if I wanted to!
I am capable of soaring in the air if I set my mind to it.
Like a bird in the sky,
I can maneuver myself in the same way that birds glide through the air.
If I believed I could fly,
If I had faith in myself and my abilities, I can soar through the skies like a bird.
Well, I'd fly!
I would not hesitate to take flight if I truly believed in my own capabilities.
Contributed by Jordyn S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.