Southern Cross
Robin Auld Lyrics
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I notice it more when it's not there
Over my life I never lost
The feel of it guiding me on my way
Mother City
I came around in the
Mother City, oh
From Cape to Cairo
Home, home
I lay me down
In my dreams I see the ocean
Smiling when the day is blue
How much of the salt is mothers tears?
Oh, how many died to sail to you?
Mother City
I came around you
In the Mother City
With the sound of the doves that call
From Cape to Cairo
Home, home
I lay me down
And all good things the South East brings
All good things the South East brings
Over my life the Southern Cross
I notice it more when it's not there
Over my life I never lost
The feel of it guiding me on my way
Mother City
I came around in the
Mother City
With the sound of the doves that call
From Cape to Cairo
Oh, home
I lay me down
Oh, home
I lay me down
Oh, home
I lay me down, oh
The song "Southern Cross" by Robin Auld is a reflection on the significance of the Southern Cross in the singer's life. The Southern Cross refers to the constellation visible only in the Southern Hemisphere and holds cultural and historical significance in South Africa, where the singer hails from. The lyrics suggest that the singer has never lost the feeling of the Southern Cross guiding him throughout his life, even when it is not visible. The Southern Cross therefore becomes symbolic of an inner compass that keeps the singer grounded and reminds him of where he comes from.
In addition to the metaphor of the Southern Cross, the lyrics also make references to the singer's home city. The "Mother City" refers to Cape Town, which is nicknamed as such due to its status as the oldest city in South Africa. The line "With the sound of the doves that call from Cape to Cairo" is likely a reference to the African mourning dove, a bird that is prominent in the region and is known for its mournful cooing. The dove's call is therefore used as a symbolic representation of home and nostalgia for the singer.
Overall, the lyrics of "Southern Cross" evoke a sense of longing and reminiscence for a place and a time that is in the past. The Southern Cross and the Mother City become symbols that provide a sense of comfort and grounding for the singer as he reflects on his life's journey.
Line by Line Meaning
Over my life the Southern Cross
Throughout my life, I've seen and appreciated the Southern Cross
I notice it more when it's not there
I recognize the Southern Cross's importance when I cannot see it
Over my life I never lost
Even throughout my life, I never lost sight of
The feel of it guiding me on my way
the guiding feeling that the Southern Cross gave me
Mother City
The city where I came of age and was raised
I came around in the
I arrived in, and experienced for the first time the things that were unique to, the
Mother City, oh
city where I grew up
With the sound of the doves that call
Accompanied by the cooing of the doves that are known to cry out
From Cape to Cairo
from the southernmost part to the northernmost part of Africa
Home, home
A cry of sentimental longing and belonging to the place where I am from and where I rest
I lay me down
I settle down to rest
In my dreams I see the ocean
In my dreams, I envision the ocean
Smiling when the day is blue
Showing a different, calming blue hue when the days are good
How much of the salt is mothers tears?
Could the salt of the ocean be those of many mothers who have cried throughout history?
Oh, how many died to sail to you?
How many have given their lives to be able to reach the shore, where they could take rest in the land called home?
And all good things the South East brings
The wealth of good things that come from the southeast area of Africa
Over my life the Southern Cross
Throughout my life, I've seen and appreciated the Southern Cross
I notice it more when it's not there
I recognize the Southern Cross's importance when I cannot see it
Over my life I never lost
Even throughout my life, I never lost sight of
The feel of it guiding me on my way
the guiding feeling that the Southern Cross gave me
Mother City
The city where I came of age and was raised
I came around in the
I arrived in, and experienced for the first time the things that were unique to, the
Mother City
city where I grew up
With the sound of the doves that call
Accompanied by the cooing of the doves that are known to cry out
From Cape to Cairo
from the southernmost part to the northernmost part of Africa
Oh, home
A cry of sentimental longing and belonging to the place where I am from and where I rest
I lay me down
I settle down to rest
Oh, home
A cry of sentimental longing and belonging to the place where I am from and where I rest
I lay me down, oh
I prepare myself for a good night's sleep in my homeland
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