Sailing
Moya Brennan and Cormac de Barra Lyrics


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Sailing away to deeper oceans
Hearts are weary, these sleepless nights are hard
But I'm sill longing for the hand that led me
Where I have spent my youth away

[Gaelic]

Sailing the waves to distant mountains
Strange and cloudy, I struggle to be brave
How I tremble remembering your brown eyes
Don't let my memories fade away





[Gaelic]

Overall Meaning

Moya Brennan's song Sailing Away is a melancholic ballad that speaks about a journey to unknown depths and corners of the world. The opening line, "Sailing away to deeper oceans," is a perfect metaphor for a journey of discovery and exploration, which is often accompanied by emotional distress and weariness. The singer of the song is a restless soul who seeks adventure and new experiences, but also longs to be close to the hand that guided her in her youth. The sleepless nights and hard days are taking a toll on her, but she still holds onto her memories and the hope that she will one day find her way back home.


The second verse of the song continues with the theme of a restless journey to distant mountains, where the clouds are strange and the singer has to muster up all her strength to be brave. It is clear that the singer is struggling emotionally, as she trembles at the memory of a person with brown eyes who must have been very important to her. As the journey progresses, she pleads with this person not to let her memories fade away, indicating that they are a source of comfort and hope.


Overall, Sailing Away is a song that beautifully captures the conflicting emotions of a journey to unknown places, where adventurousness and longing for home go hand in hand. The way that Moya Brennan uses metaphors and imagery to express these feelings is both poetic and insightful, making the song a wonderful listening experience.


Line by Line Meaning

Sailing away to deeper oceans
Embarking on a journey to explore uncharted territories


Hearts are weary, these sleepless nights are hard
Feeling exhausted and drained due to emotional turmoil and restlessness


But I'm still longing for the hand that led me
Yearning for the support and guidance of a beloved person who has been instrumental in shaping one's life


Where I have spent my youth away
Reflecting on the past and the memories associated with one's formative years spent away from home


[Gaelic]
An interlude reflecting the artist's cultural heritage


Sailing the waves to distant mountains
Setting sail towards aspirations and ambitions that seem far away and difficult to achieve


Strange and cloudy, I struggle to be brave
Feeling unsure and apprehensive about the unknown challenges that lie ahead


How I tremble remembering your brown eyes
Recalling the emotion and warmth associated with a past romantic relationship


Don't let my memories fade away
Expressing a desire to hold on to cherished memories and not let them be forgotten or overshadowed by new experiences


[Gaelic]
An additional interlude to showcase the artist's cultural roots




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MOYA BRENNAN, FIONAN DE BARRA, ROSS CULLUM

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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