Red Sails In The Sunset
Platters (the) Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Red sails in the sunset
Way out on the sea
Oh, carry my loved one
Home safely to me

She sailed at the dawning
All day I've been blue
Red sails in the sunset

I'm trusting in you

Swift wings you must borrow
Make straight for the shore
We marry tomorrow
And she goes sailing no more

Red sails in the sunset
Way out on the sea
Oh, carry my loved one
Home safely to me

Red sails in the sunset
Way out on the sea (ooh-wee-ooh, wee-ooh)

Oh, carry my loved one
Home safely to me

Overall Meaning

The Platters' song "Red Sails in the Sunset" tells of a lover who is anxiously waiting for his beloved to return home safely to him. The opening line “Red sails in the sunset, way out on the sea” sets the scene, as the singer sees the red sails on the horizon, signifying that his love is sailing away. The singer's desperation is clear as he implores the red sails to keep his loved one safe on her journey, putting all his trust in them to bring her back to him.

As the song goes on, we learn that the lover sailed off at dawn, leaving the singer to spend the entire day feeling blue and anxious for their return. The second verse intensifies the anxiousness, with the singer calling on the sails to make “swift wings,” in order to quickly bring his love back to him. The final verse provides a glimmer of hope, as the singer reveals that he and his love will be married the very next day, and expresses his faith that the red sails will bring her to him just in time.

Overall, the song's simple and straightforward lyrics convey a deeply felt emotion of longing and a desperate need for a loved one's safe return.

Line by Line Meaning

Red sails in the sunset
Symbolic red sails spotted during the evening sunset

Way out on the sea
Far out in the great expanses of the ocean

Oh, carry my loved one
Request for safe transportation of a loved one

Home safely to me
Desire for a loved one to arrive back safely

She sailed at the dawning
A woman set sail during the morning

All day I've been blue
A feeling of sadness that lingers the entire day

Red sails in the sunset
Referring to the symbolic red sails seen during the evening sunset

I'm trusting in you
Putting trust in the red sails observed earlier

Swift wings you must borrow
Asking for the red sails to borrow swift wings for speed

Make straight for the shore
Heading directly to the shore without detours

We marry tomorrow
A plan to marry the next day

And she goes sailing no more
A loved one will no longer embark on sailing expeditions

Red sails in the sunset
Referring once again to the presence of symbolic red sails in the evening sunset

Way out on the sea (ooh-wee-ooh, wee-ooh)
Far out in the great expanses of the ocean with a repetitive vocalization

Oh, carry my loved one
Asking for the safe transportation of a loved one

Home safely to me
Wishing for the safe arrival of a loved one

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: WILHELM GROSZ, JIMMY KENNEDY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@tropicwave1

7y↑9

Red sails in the sunset
'Way out on the sea
Oh! carry my loved one
Home safely to me.
He sailed at the dawning
All day I've been blue
Red sails in the sunset
I'm trusting in you
Swift wings you must borrow
Make straight for the shore
We marry tomorrow
And he goes sailing no more.
Red sails in the sunset
'Way out on the sea
Oh! carry my loved one
Home safely to me.

Red sails, the night wind is blowing
And clouds are hiding the moon
Above no bright stars are glowing
It means the storm's coming soon.

Written by: JIMMY KENNEDY, WILHELM GROSZ

@Jigaboo123456

3y↑1

Red sails in the sunset
Way out on the sea
Oh, carry my loved one
Home safely to me
She sailed at the dawning
All day I've been blue
Red sails in the sunset
I'm trusting in you
Swift wings you must borrow
Make straight for the shore
We marry tomorrow
And she goes sailing no more
Red sails in the sunset
Way out on the sea
Oh, carry my loved one
Home safely to me
Red sails in the sunset
Way out on the sea (ooh-wee-ooh, wee-ooh)
Oh, carry my loved one
Home safely to me

All comments from YouTube:

@stephenkirk8685

2y↑21

We had this song played at the end of our mum's recent funeral. It is so appropriate as mum was on her way back to her husband of nearly 69 years and they both loved The Platters.

@gwgsio6292

3y↑24

23 years old and I LOVE MUSIC LIKE THIS!!!

@guillermokersh7270

bbbeen digging this kinda music since I was 18....21 now

@Toobowlie

19w

Nice. I'm 4 and a half and I LOVE MUSIC LIKE THIS TOO!!!

@marciaconner4430

8y↑61

What can I say? Another outstandingly beautiful rendition of a song by the incomparable Platters.

@bryanbarthlow3961

8y↑26

A masterpiece. Truly moving.

@MrPARKBRAU

4y↑6

This has to be the best of the best. Saw the show in Germany 1958 , front and center......To see them actually sing it live is moving to say the least.

@yvonnejones8544

5y↑15

This song is great,his voice on your stereo will give you the full value of this song!

@peterstang

6y↑8

A song I could spin over and over again. Perfect!

@frankiehunter.

13y↑13

I can't comprehend that this beautifully sung and arranged song didn't reach top ten.

@mchilds319

6y↑33

The best.. version..The Platters...My parents played this type of music...They had great taste in music..Which they passed on to my siblings and myself.

@marciaconner4430

7y↑2

From the very first note to the last, this was a well-executed performance, but who would expect less from the Platters!!

@brankadragicevic856

9y↑12

Beautiful song after all those years !!!

@MiTmite9

9y↑39

Forgot how phenomenally great this guy's voice was. Chills. Thanks for posting this, catman916. Loved seeing all the old LP covers, too. Wow.

@MsBonnieBlue

9y↑2

yes! there isn't anybody who can match Tony Williams!

@MiTmite9

9y↑1

+bonnie bennini Saw your reply. I am listening to this again, thanks to you, Bonnie. Umm . . .

@MiTmite9

+The Great Pretender That's how this song affects me. Swoon-ful.

@aladinfox4098

I am not familiar with the Platters, lovely song, reminds me of the 50's as a kid listening to the wireless!
I was wondering about the female member of the group, isn't it her voice? Great voice all the same. 🎶

@buckets212

2y↑1

@Aladin Fox When you ask "Isn't it her voice?" are you referring to the lead? If so, the answer is no, the lead is Tony Williams, and the record is credited to "The Platters, featuring Tony Williams." The female members was Zola Taylor, later married, briefly, to Frankie Lymon.

@Normurr

9y↑60

Who wouldn't like this song or any song by The Platters.
If you didn't live back then you missed some of the greatest 20 century music.

@catman916

9y↑5

In my opinion, Normurr, The Platters were among the best of the doo-wop groups. The quality of their recordings was second to none.

@susandorazio7590

Normurr , has

@amazingbro104

The drifters

@normmurr3568

@susan dorazio ??

@ridethelightning247

Dam you are a walking relic if you were alive for this

@cynthia6637

13y↑11

I ALWAYS LOVED THIS GREAT SONG, LOVE SLOW DANCING TO THIS SONG! THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST BY THE PLATTERS

@tropicwave1

7y↑9

@cynthia6637

13y↑15

O how I LOVE this song! I would like to be dancing to this right now!!

@buzzawuzza3743

agreed

@colinwarsop5790

Muscic copsongs unntry

@colinwarsop5790

@Buzza Wuzza 98

@frankiereinares8892

3y↑2

outstanding vocals👍that's why i like the platters.✌️

@MrListener43

12y↑11

This is the great Tony Williams at his best. The passion and energy in his voice goes right to the soul.

@tacogillespie4561

5y↑3

I think this is Sonny Turner on lead vocals.

@bowlofbereal

its almost been a decade 😳 how's it going

@terryholt4129

10y↑146

what ever happened to the time when musicians and vocalists actually had to have talent????? I miss music this good!

@jamessomers8495

4y↑4

To busy making money.

@bonaccordians

3y↑5

you are SO right! today we listen to computers! MUSIC comes from the heart!!... computers do not have one of those... xxx

@lawabidingcitizen5153

3y↑3

It's still here, it just doesn't reach the charts

@weehubbyable

3y↑3

Exactly terry this is pure quality much better than the car crash trash we have today that has no soul .

@AintNoFool

3y↑3

Me too... I also liked that entertainers used to dress up nice & show pride in their appearance with some modesty. I am just old fashioned! Lol

6 More Replies...

@LOUISLBORJA

11y↑5

My dad used to listen to these classics when we were so young. It used to be played on our car radio. Manila Bay was still a beach then and people used to flock this beach then. There were plenty of sailboats between the yacht club and the U.S. Embassy along Dewey Boulevard (now Roxas Boulevard). This song always brings fond memories of my dad who used to bring all of us on joy rides along this strip.

@cynthia6637

11y↑19

"Red Sails In The Sunset" What a beautiful song...

@MsBonnieBlue

9y↑6

what a voice! given by God! perfection♥

@jamesdunn9714

6y↑1

A voice sent from heaven. Tony had the supreme gift.

@FredPickett

49w

One of My favorite all time groups.

@mikeschneider1624

34w

There is something about the Platters that will never die.

@sherrywilkin1518

5y↑6

Takes me back to when my oldest brother went into the Navy. They played this on his send-off from San Deigo to Korea. He did make it back home safe an sound. An I'm convinced it was because of the Platters

@1964wildcat1

12y↑2

definately my favorite version of this beautiful song

@Gmies1010

9y↑2

The best band ever!

@marissachastain7624

Absolutely perfect song.

@TheDennis3064

12y↑6

THIS VERSION IS HARD TO BEAT,,,,,SORRY,NOBODY CAN SING IT AS GOOD AS THE PLATTERS

@sheiladavis6523

5y↑2

One of my favorite song's by The Platters & wow !!! what memories ☺ do I remember of love ❤🎹 🎷 🎶 🎸 June 6,2019

@Annettesmusic

13y↑5

I forgot what a beautiful vocal performance this was. And what memories it brings back. Picnics at Lake Oceola in Mahopac, NY. Sigh.

@ThePlattersBiggestFan

14 years old And I Love this types of music, Because it is the Real Sense of music

@eduardoemia5101

12y↑2

one of my favorites.., a great song

@rileyorielly1004

12y↑3

This music is before my time BUT there is none better.The good thing about the Oldies is..."you can understand every word they sing". ^5's ***** Thanks for the upload

@cynthia6637

8y↑1

How amazing it was growing up with the best music ...

@davidlong3824

2y↑1

Lovely song great singers.

@sauquoit13456

9y↑3

On this day in 1960 {July 8th} the Platters appeared at the Town House in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
At the time they didn't have a record on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; but a little over three weeks later on August 1st their "Red Sails in the Sunset" would enter the Top 100 at position #76, and on August 22nd it peaked at #36 {for 1 week} and it stayed on the chart for 9 weeks...
Between 1955 and 1967 the quintet had forty Top 100 records; seven made the Top 10 with four reaching #1; "The Great Pretender" for 2 weeks in 1956, "My Prayer" for 5 weeks in 1956, "Twilight Time" for 1 week in 1958, and "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" for 3 weeks in 1959...
Bass singer Herb Reed, the last surviving member of the group, passed away on June 4th, 2012 at the age of 83...
May all five R.I.P.

@cristinaletechipia7030

7y↑2

Bellísima, me encanta. Gracias porcompartir.

@larryguthrie899

10y↑56

They don't make music this good anymore.

@isaiahnunez9356

4y↑1

Check out Penrose records. It's making a comeback.

@harryhopworthy9600

10y↑16

Probably my most favourite lyrics of all, along with '' Ebb Tide''.

@xandree7329

4y↑2

My Great Grandfather who was born in 1930,met the love of his life in 2nd grade, they were best friends until highschool where they finally got together. He tells me stories about their highschool and how they would sneak into the storage room above the lobby and dance together. They married eachother when they were 20 and had two daughters. She passed away 8 years ago (they had been married 62 year before she died). This song was they're "song" and he cries everytime he hears it.

@srvfan454

Where is this kind of music in 2020 when we really need it? They don't make bands like the Platters anymore.

@terryharness1328

3y↑2

Reminds me of the late 1950's in small town Iowa...Mom loved it...oh my eyes are staring to water up

@rosebrown9265

Aww lovely music 🎶🎶

@moses910

Clean pure romantic... a music!

@desireparis

4y↑1

Papá amado, hoy encontré este recuerdo musical del 2 de abril del 2014, cuando íbamos juntos por la carretera y mientras tu manejabas yo iba grabando y fotografiando el volcán Cayambe que se mostraba completamente nevado, y en aquel momento tu pusiste a los Platters y yo filmaba, recuerdo que sonaba esté romántico tema... Iba cayendo la tarde y el sol se iba ocultando tras la montaña mientras el cielo despejado iba oscureciendo... Íbamos de vuelta a casa... Tantos recuerdos papá te extraño tanto, fuiste el mejor amigo que tuve... Cuanta falta me haces, mi vida cambió tanto... Y hoy es tan solitaria. Dios te tenga en su Gloria. Quizás pronto volvamos a encontrarnos. Te Amo. 🌹♥🐇🐾

@stephenbynum4077

3y↑2

I love the platters

@lizgilmore7314

2y↑1

Written by Jimmy Kennedy inspired by watching the sunset in the most beautiful place in the world Portstewart in N.Ireland.

@rosebrown9265

Brilliant music 🎶🎶 Playing music

@lizjohnson2501

woke up to this song in my head, but my mom's voice. she sang it all the time. never knew til now who sang it

@saundraraynor2043

It was so much fun dancing to this song.

@Eduardo-sm3sm

1y↑1

❤❤❤❤❤❤

@sylvesterlawrence7579

11y↑4

~Hey Frazier this was actually recorded in 1959 and released shortly thereafter. Red Callender (Double Bass) and godfather Earl C. Palmer (Drums) were the rhythm section on this as well as many other of the Platters Big Hits~

@berniefleming2766

Oh how I love the platters

@1alexfrazier1

11y↑10

I was visiting relatives in the Bronx in the Summer of '58 when I heard this. My kin folks lived down near the water off of Hunts Point. The Bronx was beautiful then. We viewed many Red Sails in the Sunset there.

@maryjohowe8223

My favorite singer Nat KIng Cole was the best for Red Sails in the Sunset. Sure do miss the rromantic songs of 50,s before.

@rogeralsop3479

Great song.

@Jigaboo123456

3y↑1

@rosebrown9265

Aww bless 🤗

@rosebrown9265

Night night sweet dreams xx

@niners5time822

I am sitting on a park bench on the beach where Everett and Marion Tate donated this song. RIP to them and thank you for the song.

@cynthia6637

13y↑1

FANTASTIC SONG

@MainlyRock

12y↑4

Lovely, just lovely...

@riccardoivani8

The greatest vocale group ever
But nobody Is able robunderstand

@MrHeesbeen

11y↑3

You are spot on Riley O`Riley. This was recorded when recording engineers and artists knew about the structure of music. It was before callow youths thought that a drum kit and and bass guitar were lead instruments. Then again, perhaps it is just as well as most singers can`t sing in tune and they have to kiss the microphone in order to have their weak voices heard.

@greatmusicfan57

Music that is lovemaking worthy to be sure.

@TheZombieGrunt

Beautiful

@teresamcdaniel8873

I was lucky my parents were so open to music except rock.

@maryjemisonMaryjay1936

11y↑3

Oh My God so beautiful.....

@RodTeeterRodneytheNoahite7laws

8y↑5

GREAT ALL AROUND GREAT!!

@johnjarou2357

9y↑2

great version here. nat king cole did it well too.

@catman916

9y↑5

...as did Joni James.Here is the link to my upload, John.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81jKn6ZMmMw

@pepperwilliams4428

I listen to JJ every day!

@mikewright4280

Brilliant.

@cynthia6637

12y

7 MONTHS AGO I HAD ALREADY COMMENTED ON THIS GREAT SONG! WHAT A SLOW DANCE!

@zigzagzoug1

11y↑1

Merci pour le partage

@richardseales6784

4y↑1

AN OLDIE GOLDIE EPIC !

@Jacqui2023

43w

Beautiful.X So lovely.X

@jmuni7785

lovely

@notcreativebutok

2y↑2

it is going to save Nancy Wheeler, for sure

@andyong2494

Heard they're making a movie. As Scarlett waves to the riverboat she breaks out into "Rhett sails in the sunset" Andy King - Singaore

@cynthia6637

10y↑7

3 years ago......I commented on this song.......Amazing.......

@pjf654

10y↑2

good one yep

@cynthia6637

10y↑2

The Platters were great.......

@MsBonnieBlue

+Cynthia's Channel indeed!

@sorbitolmaltitolxylitolman3355

3 years later.

@catman916

11y

Since this was released in 1960, it must have been a different Platters' song, Alex.

@ohmorieiichi7470

最高。

@dorisbardoquillo8846

A moment with my Tatay again. these are his playlists.

@ernstschulz4483

My beloved angel sailed away three months ago to meet the Lord and she will never come back may be in my dreams.
I pray for it❤️😢

@stephenbynum4793

1y↑1

Yes It's old skool time

@VeggieGamer

13y↑3

Uncle Albert would be proud :-)

@stephenbynum4077

3y↑1

Red Sails In The Sunset By The Platters

@roydavenport3266

9y↑8

Thanks for posting

@belltopcone

Isnt it great to see smiley faces on the record sleeves imagine if todays entertainers did this they would be branded uncool..

@lj036226

3y↑1

For eternity...

@HaticesAccount

19w

Heard al Pacino singing this and found myself here!

@sixtyschild1

13y↑3

The definitive version...... no others. Sixtyschild1

@38ivar

HÄRLIGT

@catman916

14y

It is a great version, but please listen to the versions by Nat King Cole and Joni James which I have also uploaded.

@soulplumber

13y↑5

Memories of Cape Cod here, Thank you. Will look your other two.

@ginamcgarry

just bliss xxx

@mariopserato

13y↑4

red sails in the sunset just around the sea as i watched the harbor lights....

@northgagal100

5y↑1

Some beautiful

@rafaelguerrero8541

I douubt that this is Tony Williams singing.

@ohmorieiichi7470

小学生の頃、東京駅の大丸デパートの婦人服売場で、ザ・プラターズのミニコンサートが行われていたので、母と一緒にこの歌声と演奏を聴かせていただきました。

神田明神下の大森栄一より

@Rcaneneophyte8906

4y↑1

2020 anyone? Covid-19 Lockdown blues...

@catman916

14y

@juan58102 You should also view the version by Joni James which I have also uploaded.

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