During Nan's teenage years in Los Angeles, according to an interview in Cosmopolitan magazine, she discovered magic mushrooms and the guitar.
She played in a late 80's band called Babooshka, and in the 90's joined the touring bands both for ex-Police guitarist Andy Summers, and ex-Eurythmics co-founder Dave Stewart's backing band, The Spiritual Cowboys.
After a couple years in the UK and working with producers like Ian Stanley and Dave Stewart she eventually released several collaborations, some singles and her own debut album Manta Ray for Elektra in 1995 and a beautiful version of Moon River for a Del-Fi compilation of Henry Mancini songs, Shots in the Dark.
Record company coordination, and promotional support, both in the UK and the US, were fraught with difficulty, and her US label East/West folded shortly after her debut. Little was heard from the promising Ms. Vernon after this period.
Fisherman
Nan Vernon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd rush to meet him at the docks
I'd fix his boat on the horizon
And pray for fair weather
If I were a fisherman's friend
I'd be his figurehead
I'd brave the rough sea
If I
If I
If I
If I
If I were a fisherman's friend
I'd warm the gaileys and pour the wine
I'd salt the fish consult the time
I'd ford the cold and rush the crossing
If I were a fisherman's friend
I'd bay the oceans
I'd consult the tide
I'd brave his child
If I were a fisherman's friend
I'd crush the deep
I'd safeguard the keep
I'd scour the sky
I'd scour the sky
The song Fisherman by Nan Vernon is a beautifully written analogy that speaks of being a true friend. In the first verse, the singer's friend is a fisherman and she expresses how she would stand by him through thick and thin. She would rush to meet him at the docks, fix his boat and pray for fair weather. The second verse talks about how she would be the figurative head of the boat, braving the rough sea and securing the boats safely.
The third verse is all about how she would take care of him while they were at sea. She would warm the gaileys and pour the wine, salt the fish and consult the time. She would be there for him through the cold and rough waters, helping him cross it all safely. The fourth verse speaks of how her support for him would be endless. She would bay the oceans, consult the tide, brave his child and crush the deep. She would always be there for him and protect him no matter what.
Overall, the lyrics of the song Fisherman are filled with beautiful metaphors and analogies that can be interpreted in many different ways. It is a testament to the importance of true friendship and the lengths that some people will go to support those they care about.
Line by Line Meaning
If I were a fisherman's friend
If I had the privilege of being a fisherman's friend
I'd rush to meet him at the docks
I wouldn't hesitate to go and meet my fisherman friend at the docks
I'd fix his boat on the horizon
I would wait for the boat to appear on the horizon and fix any issues it may have.
And pray for fair weather
I would hope and pray for the weather to be favorable for the fisherman's journey
I'd be his figurehead
I would lead and support my fisherman friend as if I were part of the boat, like a figurehead
I'd brave the rough sea
I would be fearless and face the rough sea in order to help my fisherman friend
And secure the boats safely
I would ensure that the boats are safely docked
I'd warm the gaileys and pour the wine
I would prepare warm drinks and attend to my fisherman friend's needs after his journey
I'd salt the fish consult the time
I would prepare the fish with the right amount of salt and make sure to keep track of time so that it is prepared perfectly
I'd ford the cold and rush the crossing
I would overcome difficult conditions and hurry to cross any obstacles
I'd bay the oceans
I would shout and call out to the ocean in order to honor and respect it
I'd consult the tide
I would keep track of the tides and use that knowledge to aid my fisherman friend
I'd brave his child
I would protect and care for my fisherman friend's offspring as if they were my own
I'd crush the deep
I would descend deep into the ocean's depths without fear
I'd safeguard the keep
I would protect my fisherman friend's home and belongings
I'd scour the sky
I would make sure to search every inch of the sky for anything that could pose a threat to my fisherman friend
If I
If I could do anything to help my fisherman friend
If I
If I had the chance to be a true friend to a fisherman
If I
If I were given the opportunity to support and care for a fisherman
If I
If I had the privilege of being of service to a fisherman
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: NAN VERNON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
whitepinejack39
I love this cover. Nan Vernon has such a hauntingly beautiful voice.
Sweet Tooth
Hi please answer
Del Engen
This is from a compilation album of Henri Mancini tunes (called "Shots in the Dark") done by various artists. It was my introduction to Nan Vernon, and I wish she released more than the one excellent solo album, "Manta Ray". She did some one-off things on Rob Zombie movies, and I have it on good authority that she has a lot of unreleased recorded music. I wish she could find a way to bring it to light.
Sunday Handwired Amps and Effects
Would love to hear more of her too. I have this album on pink vinyl. Magic and masterpiece from end to end.
Patrick Hayes
I missed this song for years, I had a cd I played and someone stole it (someone with good taste)! I have to buy it again but I am so happy I found this! I am so in love with this song, and her voice.
chantal DECUYPER
Tout simplement superbe ...........
michael a uhlenhake
i bought this cd. loved this song. cd is gone. still have the cover. couldn't hear Nan sing this song - till now.
look back on wax
She's a sweet heart
Alberto Felix
Me gusto mucho mucho cantas muy llegador sientes lo q cantas bello en verdad
Terrel .Coleman
I gotta find this album!