sirens
Paul Gordon Lyrics


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ROCHESTER
Damn the passion, damn the skies
Damn the light that's in her eyes
I know too well where it has led before
She saves me but I can't be saved
Frees me but I'm still enslaved
Now I battle what I most adore
Oh, let me sail away
And make this vow
That what my heart wants
I will not allow
For as sirens call the sailors
She calls me now

JANE
God save him if he can be saved
Free him if his soul's enslaved
Clear the clouded refuge of his mind
Quell his anger, calm his scorn
Let his spirit be reborn
Help him gather sight where he is blind

ROCHESTERO
Let me sail away
Where I won't hear her voiceWhere I am blind and free
For as sirens call the sailors
She calls to me

JANE
For I believe
The ghosts of shame
That haunt his past
Will rest at last
The pain will ceaseI'll bring him peace

ROCHESTER
I cannot stand another knock
My body dashed upon the rocky shore
The darkness that invades my soul
It sucks my blood, it takes control
Well, I will not endure it anymore

ROCHESTERD
Amn the passion, damn the skies
Damn the light that's in her eyesI know too well where it has led before
She saves me but I can't be saved
Frees me but I'm still enslaved
Now I battle what I most adore Oh, let me sail away
Get lost at sea
Where I won't hear her voice
Where I am blind and free
For as sirens call the sailors
She calls me now

JANE
I cannot sleepI cannot breatheI cry his tearsI sense the
Secrets of his pastI feel his fears And I believe
That haunt his pastWill rest at last
The pain will ceaseI'll bring him peace

THE FIGURE
Aaaah!

ROCHESTER
She calls to meShe calls to me

THE FIGURE
Aaaah!

JANE
Heal his pain




Calm his sea
And let him sail on gentler waters To me

Overall Meaning

The song "Sirens" by Paul Gordon tells the story of two characters, Rochester and Jane, who are deeply connected, despite Rochester's struggles with addiction and inner demons. The lyrics paint a picture of the internal battle Rochester faces, between his desire to be with Jane and his fear of the destructive nature of their relationship. Rochester understands that their love could lead him down a dark path, so he longs to escape and sail away, vowing to resist the temptation of his heart's desire. Jane, on the other hand, wants to heal Rochester's pain and calm his sea of emotions, hoping to guide him towards a gentler future.


The use of the metaphor of the sirens in the chorus adds depth and complexity to the lyrics. In Greek mythology, the sirens were known to lure sailors with their beautiful voices, leading them to their death. This represents the temptation that Rochester feels when he is near Jane - she is like a siren, calling out to him even though he knows it's dangerous. However, in the song, Jane is not portrayed as intentionally harmful, but rather as someone who can't help the pull she has on Rochester. The internal conflict of the characters is reflected in the haunting composition of the song, with melancholy piano melodies and a haunting chorus that echoes the sentiment of being pulled towards one's own destruction.


Line by Line Meaning

Damn the passion, damn the skies
I curse the strong desire and the vastness of the world


Damn the light that's in her eyes
I curse the beauty that captivates me


I know too well where it has led before
I have experienced the consequences of falling for beauty and desire


She saves me but I can't be saved
Although she rescues me, I cannot be saved from my own feelings


Frees me but I'm still enslaved
She liberates me, but I am still under her control


Now I battle what I most adore
I struggle with what I love the most


Oh, let me sail away
I yearn to escape


And make this vow
I'll promise


That what my heart wants
I won't give in to my heart's desires


I will not allow
I'll take control


For as sirens call the sailors
Just as the mythical sirens lure sailors to their doom


She calls me now
She has a similar hold over me


God save him if he can be saved
May he be rescued if it's possible


Free him if his soul's enslaved
Help him break free if he's trapped emotionally


Clear the clouded refuge of his mind
Help him regain clarity of thought


Quell his anger, calm his scorn
Relieve him of his frustration and bitterness


Let his spirit be reborn
Help him start anew


Help him gather sight where he is blind
Assist him in seeing where he couldn't before


Where I won't hear her voice
Where I won't be influenced by her voice


Where I am blind and free
Where I am ignorant but liberated


For I believe
Because I trust


The ghosts of shame
The memories of disgrace


That haunt his past
That continue to torment him


Will rest at last
Will be put to rest eventually


The pain will cease
The agony will stop


I'll bring him peace
I'll provide him with tranquility


I cannot stand another knock
I cannot tolerate any more hardship


My body dashed upon the rocky shore
My physical and emotional state brutally injured


The darkness that invades my soul
The despair that engulfs me


It sucks my blood, it takes control
It drains my energy and dominates me


Well, I will not endure it anymore
I refuse to withstand it any longer


Get lost at sea
Disappear in the ocean


She calls to me
She tempts me


Heal his pain
Cure his suffering


Calm his sea
Soothe his turbulent emotions


And let him sail on gentler waters
And help him navigate smoother seas




Contributed by Aubrey M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Rosemel92

All three have excellent voices! I love this musical and I have the Broadway sound track, so I know all three are good, plus, it's refreshing to hear this song in a tenor voice, because James Barbour is a bass.

Jehovahjireh

Finally! This musical is really quite good, and I couldn't believe the apparent wasteland of decent covers on YouTube--and not just decent ones, but any covers at all. Not only did I finally find one, but I found a good one. Lovely performance!

Luis Enrique Rivera

Great performance I want to sing this with my friend for my final but don't know cuz I have to prepare a sophomore recital as well sooooo yea...lame Love you voice Amanda!=D Nice Tone Bryce! Love the sing! Ps. too many weird comments on this video...lol

Michael Bolio

I had the privilege of performing this role in a production by Watertown Lyric Theater.  Well sung here, and the female voice are wonderful!!    I hope to do this again, somewhere..........

cardinalfang4

Where did y'all get the sheet music for this song? I haven't been able to find it so far.

David Blake

Lovely voices. I always say, though, it's better not to do anything at all with your hands and keep the expression in your voice and face. Only use hands if you're in action or if it's absolutely essential to your expression, but mostly, let em hang...but keep energy in the body.

Gabi Markham

it doesnt need acting 4 a consert but i do agree its amazing

seuss101

i agree. The part should be sung by a deep baritone..because, when their voice sits in a lower part, it really makes the high notes stick out and adds to the emotion

emerelda

actually the song is written in this speed, they slowed it down on broadway

skitscuddlydoo

The blonde is singing the part of the "mysterious voice". I won't say who the mysterious voice belongs to in case it spoils the story for someone who reads this.

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