Seven Days
Playing Rapunzel Lyrics
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That drive us all to sea
To the cold banks, searching for the shoals
I am a week away from Father
And the nets are drifting free
Still empty, and there's nothing in our hold
So we turn to the north for the last time
It's one more hope, then we'll head for home
Thinking of you, waking all alone
Seven days and seven hours have passed
Since we said goodbye beside the old sea wall
And every sunrise, every sunset
I dream of you over the orange ocean and I pray
And as I wait I remember your gentle touch and your face
And I miss you, and I love you
Where are you, love? Are you out there in the night?
Think of me. The waiting fire still burns
Where are you, love? It's the early morning light
That wakes me. When will you return?
I am deep in the heart
Of a storm-rolling sea
A hundred miles from safety on the shore
But lost in your arms, that's where I should be
Rescue me, let us sail no more
Where are you, love? Are you out there in the night?
Think of me. The waiting fire still burns.
Where are you, love? It's the early morning light
That takes me, on a rising tide
And breaks me, by the waterside
That wakes me, as the waves collide,
When will you return?
"Seven Days" is a poignant song about heartbreak, longing, and the uncertainty of waiting for a loved one to return. The first verse speaks of the harsh conditions of fishing in North Devon's winters, where the main character is a week away from seeing their father and the nets are empty. The line "So we turn to the north for the last time, it's one more hope, then we'll head for home" shows the desperation of the situation and the hope that there might be some fish left in the last direction they turn to. The next verse expresses how the singer dreams and prays for their lover every sunrise and sunset, and deeply misses them, wishing they were in their arms instead of out in the storm-rolling sea. The chorus repeats the questions "Where are you, love?" and "When will you return?" that echo the character's internal struggles and fears.
The song's structure creates a sense of longing and anticipation that is mirrored in the lyrics. The repeating chorus emphasizes the singer's loneliness and longing for the return of their loved one, while the melody rises and falls like the waves of the sea. The verses are filled with vivid imagery that creates a powerful emotional impact, such as "lost in your arms, that's where I should be, rescue me, let us sail no more". The gentle guitar in the background adds to the song's melancholic tone, making the listener feel as if they too are waiting on the shoreline for someone they love.
Line by Line Meaning
It's the North Devon winters
The winter season in North Devon is harsh and difficult for the people living there.
That drive us all to sea
The harshness of the winter season forces people to go to the sea, in hopes of escaping its bite.
To the cold banks, searching for the shoals
People brave the cold and go to the sea in search of fish shoals.
I am a week away from Father
The singer has been away from their father for a week due to their occupation as a fisherman.
And the nets are drifting free
The nets used to catch fish are drifting freely without any catch, signifying a lack of luck.
Still empty, and there's nothing in our hold
Despite their effort, they have not caught anything and have nothing to take back with them.
So we turn to the north for the last time
As a last resort, they turn to the northern area to search for fish shoals.
It's one more hope, then we'll head for home
This is their last hope to catch some fish, after which they plan to head back home.
Four hours up on deck, then four hours down below
They work in shifts of four hours above and below deck.
Thinking of you, waking all alone
The singer is constantly thinking of their loved one while working long hours, and missing them deeply.
Seven days and seven hours have passed
A week has passed since the singer and their loved one last met.
Since we said goodbye beside the old sea wall
The singer and their loved one parted ways beside an old sea wall, which holds sentimental value to them.
And every sunrise, every sunset
At every sunrise and sunset, the singer thinks of their loved one and misses them.
I dream of you over the orange ocean and I pray
The singer constantly dreams of their loved one while at sea, and prays for their safety and return.
And as I wait I remember your gentle touch and your face
While waiting for their loved one, the singer remembers their touch and face, longing for their company.
And I miss you, and I love you
The singer misses their loved one and reminds them of their love.
Where are you, love? Are you out there in the night?
The singer wonders where their loved one is, and if they are safe at night.
Think of me. The waiting fire still burns
The singer implores their loved one to think of them, as they remain waiting for their return, with the same passion as before.
It's the early morning light
The singer wakes up early in the morning and thinks of their loved one.
That wakes me. When will you return?
Waking up to the early morning light, the singer wonders when their loved one will return.
I am deep in the heart
The singer is currently in the middle of a rough and dangerous sea.
Of a storm-rolling sea
The sea is rough and stormy, which makes it difficult to navigate and survive.
A hundred miles from safety on the shore
The singer is far from safety on the shore, implying their current danger and vulnerability.
But lost in your arms, that's where I should be
Despite the harshness of their current situation, the singer longs to be in the arms of their loved one, where they feel safe and secure.
Rescue me, let us sail no more
The singer calls out for their loved one to rescue them, signifying a desire to stop being a fisherman and reunite with their loved one.
That takes me, on a rising tide
The singer is taken away by the rising tide, signifying both their emotional state and a desire to overcome their current predicament.
And breaks me, by the waterside
The same tide that takes them also breaks them down emotionally, as they continue to be away from their loved one.
That wakes me, as the waves collide
The waves colliding against the boat wakes the singer up, signifying a difficult moment with the persistent longing for their loved one.
When will you return?
The singer asks when their loved one will return, as they continue waiting for their safe arrival.
Contributed by Adalyn B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.